i
!
OF THli
Historical
FOR
THE YEAR 1918
IN TWO VOLUMES
VOL. I!
HE AUTOBIOGRAPHY OP MARTIN VAN BUREN
EDiTED BY JOHN C. I'lTZPATRlCK
WA:Hl![Ni< ; ! < iN
1“20
Wasiiixotox. T). Jinir !), mm
Tothp Ewerntirc OonncU of I he Xiornoao /IXlor!r,tl . I.s-.w.,vV//V;,,.
('ti;n-tu:mk.s; Tn n'Coiiiniciulino- i„ yo,, lV,r
ixuw.piiy of Alartiu Van Ifiuvri, tl.e Ilisto.'ica i Maonwripl.s Cou,-
iiiissinii ).ico-s leavf (o ackiiowlo.l-'e ilio, itublic, spirif of .Mis Sioilli
llior.,|>son Van liurvn, of KisIikilJ. Nf Y.. M-i.o plaeod (l,is ^•ah.ahl<.
doriim.nl m If,.. Library of (Yno-rcss. aiul (1 h- co.irlc.oos a-Kl-in,.,.
of tl.r Library, u bi,.|, olfor. a lypouxil Ic, ,.,.pv of ii supplV,n..„i.-.i
wiih an mlrmlurlioM and noios jn^parod by a Im.,- of (I,., sialf.
\ cry respect iu I ly yours.
.L s'rix jl. Smi-i ii. r liiiirituiii
PREFATOEY NOTE.
il i ()hi< >■ Abliiin \’:i!i PuriMi j (m| it* iIk^
Lii>r:i!-y of (Joii^rcss by Suiiiii )so[^ Vuw nitrcn. wf l'‘i:'-!!-
kiiL N‘,"vV 'i oi'k', ill [1/05. Ai ihi*. snino iiisir- iiu‘ Vww Nni'c-ii Paiiors
wvvi: [/rcrtontiMl {o llio l./ii/nuT ky l\ij>. Sinilii Tliuiis [jsnii '\':in
lOid Df', nn<! iVlrs. SI uy Ainri-is, of .\5^\v' mj/ Iv ( ‘ily. .\
Caieinhir of tiu* Pan(‘!\-i \vas pu!)! iskiM 1 kv' tlsi^ ljiknn‘\' in iOiO.
The A ulnkinyraiilyv ];- (lin aia nnsrn j 0 copy, in sewni lAlin val-
loiins ( |»aii‘n,s). nnu.k' i/y Sinilli 1 \ an Ikn't/n. llic '-nn
and kinraiy cxaniiior «>f (Ik^ IkTsidrnd, froin \''an rno'-aii's nriii’inai
dr:ir(. fk)r(inns (d’ \5;,»l [inias I ami \'n am iii aiinijiia- kiind. a.mi
liie !a-
5: nr
iaan pam'S n
r ilia in
a nose
J'ipi k
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i liinisi'i
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d and I
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vka I dar
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In anaiy/.ini;' nir-n and mnasiims. \kui Uiintni ali ii ma )ns{*i< msly
pa.inis a [/icliim of Ikunsinr and it is a li'iithful and wanrihy porirait.
l! i." iinpnssikjn if> ria**,] iIk* Ani nkinyiat jdi v iki'unLdi wiilniiil ymaily
{‘(‘y:ri‘n iim lhal il was noi (‘ariand lap'niid Ui(‘ pnin! ii iaan'iirs.
a I'onl rikn! inn tn Ihn pnlil i<‘ad iiisisn y of l lm I’liiind Shines, ii:-
p!‘(‘scnla. I ion nf lin'i - is (sjo sadiiakk^ (n he lynorod -nfidy k\' tlaa
cniiscinnl inns ins asi i<fai nr.
J. ( '. l^d'i’znA'rinnf.:
.{ ss/s/ ii./i / (‘h/rj.. ! h !'};< /a n ,
! Aiyi' an j of i ‘ oi) if ri S>- ,
yysk'"^T|r'f£
‘UiMrrEEM’H UEPOKT OE THE HlSTOKK'Ai, MAlSlISCillPTH
{■: -i, 1!)!')
Ji S'ri;'''; 11, f 'hn.li Jiiiin
i:. an h::KS < jn
M ifs. A^i^>S (i. !>!;A!'!';i:
j,{)iiAX IeXAiM^V
(;AiLi-Ai;is in X'r
iAlAKl.KK 11. i.lAA-ohN
MilAf M. nl'All’l’;
'viii: AUi’<)jU(Hii;.Ar!! v <)i> MAirrix van iuairn
ITiii-.l i.y jOilM r. T'lT’Zi'AH'lMCK
ii
AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF MARTIN VAN BUREN.
CI-IAri’Eli I.
Ao/VV w/vo J
■ /Vi I lie spvcMil y (HKAniid in a foreign laiul, I {.■onmietiPi.* ti skt'icii
of till* j>rin(:i|)al es'enis of my li lV. 1 eiiier- ii[)<»ii [his \s oj‘lc In tlic hope*
of l)eiiiy* \'e[ alhc io redtaou pi;<miis<‘s (‘Xm/iiMi from mo hy iriomls on
w'iioso jmlii'monis ami say‘a<'ity I hmeo boon aconsiomod io lady. I
mM‘d no[ now s|)ealv' lof (ho exlont- io uddoh a. n (‘arlim’ rom pi ia ma'
u'iih iiioir wishers has Ixam |)rov(mi(‘d by an nna nVciiM 1 ddfahmci' Io
assiim(‘ ihai. iln^- soomaSA of \s'hloh ihoy dor-lix* to |)orpolnaio tio' nuaii'
orw will b(‘. found io r>ossoss siitfioiimi. iniiavsi. io jnslily si[<*!i a fio-
I ioix d'li-ii tladr o|nni(fns in ri'yai'd (a) ihai r|(i<“siioh ha\ <* uo( luam
biased !)v^ llio pari tidily of iln^ir ardenf i'riimdship is lau'diy to In*
sirpj>os(‘(b yet ii oiiyhf noi, ^■)(M'ha[)s, to surprise any ( hai ilioy slKoaid
ha\'<^ llioiiylif that not a few of our ooniompoi'a rios and smaa^ssors
would i>o i i)ier(‘sit‘d, and. jiossibly. iho yoiiuy nnuj of lln‘ (‘omilry
boneliiod. a iruo and fraidv: acomuit, <d‘ [he rise and [u-nyres;- of
one., who, wiihoui the aid of j) 0 ^vcrful family connextions, and a 1th
but f{ov of th('. a/U'eniitious faoiiiliirs for (la^ ar(|ulsiiiou of [jolilioal
power had Ihhui ehwaled, by his (d<mnfrynH'U io a sueeussloii (d' onicial
( rusts, noi'. (waa'eded. perliaps., either in uumlier, its <liy"uiiy <n‘ in re-
spMAiisibi 1 ii\- by any tliat hao'e i'wv beim ooininii ietl ia> jhc^. hamls of
oiK^ man- eotisisiiny (rf the r(‘sj>eel i \ e. ollieos of Siiri^oyait' of his
('outiiy. Stale Simator, Aiiorney Chmeral of the. Slate, of New \'orlc,
ibeyent of [he [bd\'ersiiy, Mcaufier of a (aansami ioti io r«o is(‘ (la*
(/onstiinl ion of tli(‘ Siaie, (breet'uin* of (he Slab-s Simaior in ('mr-
l»Tess for i V\'o terms. Seeretary of State of the, Ibidi'd Siaies, Mini ' -
Uu* [o l/nyhonh Vie(‘ PiH'sidmit, aiiil Pre.-id'.mt of ihe rniied Slates.
As it is n(»t imj>roba.b!e ihai much of the sirlieit nd<‘ manih'sled
lay my frimids. in <‘onn(‘eiion v\ iih tins woi'k, has yrown oul' of
(heif* feeiinys at id (.)})lnions iti, reyard to Iransaefions of 18 ft) and
I8f-b in whieli my iiifm-esls wma^ ^alp))().se^ 1 io be d(‘ep!y in\'olv(*(l.
it may not l>e amiss ihai I should say a few words on (hose snb-
jet.'is in advattece
MS. 15n.»k [, p. 1 .
The Presidential Canvass of 1840, and its attending occurrences,
are aj: this moment, without reasoiiahle doubt, subjects of regret
with ninety-nine hundredths of the sober minded and well in-
formed people of the United States, l^o one of that number can
now hesitate in believing that the scenes thro’ which the Country
passed in that great political whirlwind were discreditable to our
Institutions and could not fail, if often repeated, to lead to their
subversion. Indeed nothing could have better served to justify
and strengthen our reliance upon the sober second-thought of our
People, than the sense so widely entertained of those transactions
as soon as the passions that produced them had subsided, and the
fact that no attempt has been since made to revive them. It is the
duty of every sincere friend to those Institutions to regard with
forbearance whatever took place at a period & under circumstances
to so great a degree unfavorable to the diffusion of truth & to a
correct appreciation of j)ublic measures.
The defeat of my nomination for re-election .in 1844, after it
had been demanded by Constituencies represented by out of
(the whole number of Electors of President and Vice Presi-
dent) was the result of an intrigue that had its origin exclusively
in the Presidential aspirations of individuals, aided at its inception
by prejudices, unjust I hope, but such as the long continued exercise^,
of political power seldom, if ever, fails to generate, and only
finally made successful by the co-operation of the slave power,
subsequently & adroitly brought to the assistance of designs al-
ready matured.
Upon both of these topicks I shall of course have more to say
hereafter. For the present, it is sufficient to declare, as I do with
entire sincerity that I have never entertained the thought that a
majority of the People designed to deal unjustly with me on either
occasion. Errors were doubtless committed on all sides, delusions
set on foot which there was not time to dissipate and means, de-
signed for good ends, i:>erverted to bad purposes. But neither of
these events, important as they were have ever planted in my breast
a single root of bitterness against the People at large, iind it affords
me equal satisfaction to say that the reconciling influence of Time,
with the consciousness that I had already enjoyed a larger share
of popular favor than I could think myself entitled to, have brought
me to look with complacency, at least, upon the conduct of the in-
dividual actors in those stirring scenes.
My feelings towards a People, with Avhom I have had so many
and such interesting relations are consequently, now, & I trust will
continue to be those of gratitude and respect. What I may write
will not therefore proceed, as is often the case with those whose
AUTOBIOGRAPHY OP MABTIH VAH BUBElSr. 9
public career has been abruptly closed, from a wounded spirit, seek-
ing self-vindication, but will, on the contrary be under the control
of a judgment which satisfies me that I ought to be, as my feelings
lead me to be, at peace with all the world. I have besides imbibed a
large share of Mr. Jefferson’s repugnance to ^‘provings & fendings
of personal character.” So strong has this feeling been that it has
induced me, over and over again, to wait for the tardy but certain
effects of time to vindicate me from unjust censure, when I had
the means at my command for the prompt & effectual refutation.
x\-fter abandoning a direct attempt to go on with this work,
commenced more than a year ago, I emplojnd some of my leisure
moments in the collection of materials. These from the irresolu-
tion under which I laboured did not seem to promise results of
much value, beyond a temporary relief from the self reproach which
was caused by ]past neglect. Hoping to arrive at a better mood on
the course of my travels, I have brought these with me & to them
has fortunately been added a complete analysis of the Political
Histor}^ of New York by Judge Hammond, made for me by my
much beloved & lamented son Martin, who had,^as I find from his
papers, with the affectionate forethought that characterized him,
devoted much of °his time to similar occupations in anticipation of
my possible wants & wishes. This supplies me with tlie chrono-
logical order of early events, which I have found to be, at this
distance from my papers, an indispensable reiinisite.
AVith these scanty preparations, but under the stimulus imparted
by high heal(;h, the exhilaration of this beautiful situation and
salubrious climate in the mountains of Sorrento, and the thought-
stirring vicinage of Vesuvius, the promontory of Misenum, the
classic Bay of Baiae, the island of Capri, and the exhumed cities
of Pomi^eii and Herculaneum, I have once more determined to
overcome that disinclination to mental efforts which has thro’ life
been my besetting infirmity, and to enter with spirit upon the ac-
complishment of a task, the performance of Avhich I have hitherto
had too much reason to regard Avith feelings of despair.
My family Avas from Holland, without a single intermarriage
Avith one of different extraction from the time of the arrival of the
first emigrant to that of the marriage of my eldest son, embracing a
period of oA’-er two centuries and including six generations.^ I spent
a fcAv weeks in Holland, after the abrupt close of my brief ‘mission
to England in 1832 , and was very kindly received by the King,
AVilliam I. He informed me that a gentleman of my name was at
° MS. T, p. n.
^ Tlifi rocorrl of the family of Martin A^an Runm has boon traced by Frank J, Conkling,
who published it in the New York Gehealoi^ical and Biographical Becord, vol. xxviii, pp.
121 and 20T.—W. C. F.
one time Minister of Foreign Affairs under one of his ancestors;
that the name was derived from the town of Buren, in the neigli-
bourhood of Utrecht,^ which was formerly an Earldom, and from
which by the marriage of one of his forefathers, he derived one of
his present titles — that of Count Buren. Of the fact which he sug-
gested that my family was from the same stock I have neither knowl-
edge or belief, or, I may add concern, nor do I feel any temptation
to claim family relationship with a branch of the Van Burens of
Holland as the family is literally extinct, even though its head had
the honor of connecting her name with that of Nassau.^
All I know of my ancestors commences with the first emigrant
from Holland who came over in 163S, and settled in what is now
called Rensselaer County in the State of New York. His son,
[Mai'ten], my great Grandfather, moved to Ivinderhook and set-
tled on lands conveyed to him in 1669, by a Deed in my possession,
given pursuant to his father’s will by Derick Wessels, of Albany,
a distinguished man in his day, as his father’s part of a patent
granted nominally to Wessels, but for the benefit of his co-|)rO“
prietors.- He and his son Martin and grand-son Abraham (my
father) lived and died — ^the latter at the advanced age of 82 — on
the lands thus acquired. They were all farmers, cultivating the
soil themselves for a livelihood, holding respectable positions in
society and sustaining throughout unblemished characters. My
mother’s maiden name was Goes,^ a name also favorably known in
Dutch annals, and she was regarded by all who Imew her as liber-
ally endowed with the qualities & virtues that adorn the female
character. My father was an unassuming amiable man who was
never known to have an enemy. Utterly devoid of the spirit of
^ Tile villast> of Buren is in the Province of Gelderland. — W. C. F,
a Finding: it in ray way on my second visit to Holland in 1854, I paid a visit to tUe
ancient town of Buren. I found it a pleasant little place containing a population of
about seven hundred souls. On inquiry I found that there were yet three of the name
left & I sent for the eldest. He took me to the place where Castle Buren, as represented
on the map, had stood, and showed the ground yet hearing traces of a fortified place & of
its appropriate environs. lie pointed out the lands & houses which had belonged to
the Earldom, but which had all been sold by the French during their dominion in Hol-
land, and were now occupied, doubtless to their great improvement, by the owners of
the soil. The grounds belonging to the Castle were purchased & are now owned by the
Corporation. The family had hecome extinct & their bones had been vt'ithin a year,
for reasons he assigned, removed from a previous place of interment and reburied within
a small yard near the spot where the Castle stood, surrounded by an evergreen hedge,
and shaded by a weeping willow in the centre, to the expense of which, he said, the King
had contributed liberally. A spot had been reserved for my guide, not be said, as a
relation, but as the oldest of the name in the town.
- Cornelis Mae.ssen, the first of the line, sailed for America in the vessel Renssa-
laersw'^ek in the summer of 1631, bringing his wife, Catalyntje Martense, and a son,
Marten. They settled on the Van Renssalaer property at a place called Pap.sknee, on the
east side of the Hudson River, near Greenbush. A generation appears to have been
omitted in this account, for the sou of Maessen, Marten, did not remove to Kinderliook.
The son of Marten, Pieter Martense, removed to that place, and his son. Marten, was
the grandfather of the President. — W. C. F.
a Maria Goe.s [Hoes] widow of Johannes Van Alen. — W. C. F.
AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF AtARTIIS^ VAH BUREH.
11
accumulation, his property, originally moderate, was gradually re-
duced until he could but illy afford to bestow the necessary means
upon the education of his children. My advantages, in that re-
spect, were therefore limited to those afforded by the village academy
& I was at a very early age (I believe not more than fifteen or
sixteen), placed in a lawyers office where I remained for several
years. It has thro’ life been to me a source of regTet that I had not
pursued the course so often successfully adopted by our New Eng-
land young men under like circumstances, — ^that is to spend a por-
tion of their time in teaching the lower branches of learning, and,
with the means thus obtained, to acquii’e access for themselves to
the highest.
My mind might have lost a portion of its vivacity, in the.plodding
habits formed by such a course, but it could not have failed to acquire
in the elements of strength supplied by a good education much
more than it lost. In place of the studies by which I would thus
have given employment to an uncommonly active mind I adopted
at a very early ag'e the practice of appearing as Counsel before
Arbitrators and inferior tribunals and my success was such as
to give rise to exaggerated imiDressions that were brought before
the public in the course of my after political career. Altho’ my
mind was in this way severely and usefully disciplined for the
examination and discussion of facts, & the practice in that respect
was eminently useful, yet the tendency of the course of training was
adverse to deep study, and gave an early direction and character
to my reading that I was never able to change. Instead of laying
up stores of useful knowledge, I read for amnseinent and trusted
to my facility for acquiring necessary information Avhen occasions
for its use presented themselves. I was born with a sanguine tem-
perament, the mental features of which as described by Di\ Mayo
(the well Imown English Surgeon and author) “are a disposition
ardent, hasty and impetuous; the spirits high and buoyant, a ca-
pacity for intellectual exertions of the strongest Irind or liighest
flight, but often caxnucious and ill sustained,” in contradistinction
from those of the “mixed or equal temperament” which is, he says,
“well disposed towards great and continually renewed exertions.”
I feel free to say that I have never been able to overcome the tend-
encies ascribed to the former.
How often have I felt the necessity of a regular course of reading
to enable me to maintain the reputation I had acquired and to sus-
tain me in my conflicts with able and better educated men, and re-
solved to enter upon it without further delay ! But ever in a whirl
of excitement, and absorbed by the cares attached to the neAV public
stations to which I was successively elevated I was sure to fall back,
;
jrfter a few spasmodic efforts, to my old habit of rcadino it
matters® to relieve the mind and to raise it out of the riiLs iii^ Avhirh
long thinking on one class of subjects is so apt to sink it, leaving the
weightier matters of the law, as well as those that appertaincul in
public affairs to the period when it became indispensable to grai)pli‘
witli them. I am now amazed that with such disadvantages 1 should
have been able to pass through such contests as it has been niy lot to
encounter with so few discomfitures. Much adroitness was often
necessary to avoid appearing in debate until I had been able in
make myself master of the subject under discussion. Thiit reniaiic-
able man John Eandolph, in one of his morbid moods, wrote a. serit^s
of letters to General Jackson in which he assailed Mr. Calhoun with
great severity and at the same time laboured to divert the Cenernl
from a purpose he attributed to him — that of making me his sue-
cessor. These General Jackson, as was his habit in regard to all
private letters designed to sow tares between us, sent to mc'. for niy
penisal: Among many curious and characteristic observations in re-
gard to myself he said that in his long experience in public life he
had scarcely ever met with a single prbminent man less informed
than myself upon gi^eat questions when they were first priv
seated, or who understood them better when I came to their
discussion. I remember well the General’s hearty laugh wIumi lu*
heard me subscribe to the justice of the descrii^tiom Few can IniM'
been more entirely indebted for whatever success may at any i.iine
have crowned intellectual efforts to uncultivated nature than mystd
yet I do not remember the occasion when I succeeded in satisfying
my friends that I did not feel that I could have done much bettcu*
if I had possessed better advantages of Education and study. I Tcukjcv
my resolutions revived at almost every period of my life to become a
severe student — resolutions which were frustrated, if not, as the
Apostle says of sin, b}^ a war in my membei’s, certainly by one in
my un(‘onquerable mental habits.
cannot pass from the subject of my early professional career
in inferior tribunals without a caution to my young friends, the
circumstances of whose start in life may resemble my own, against
the adoption of a similar course. The tem2Dtation to anticipate ]‘)i'o-
fessional fame is a strong one, and my success, humble as it lias been,
is well calculated to mislead young men of genius and ambition,
mialtever the degi*ee of that success may have been they may be
assured that it would have been much greater and more substantial
if like many others, who may not have succeeded as well, I had first
acquired a sound education and stored my mind with useful kninvl-
" MS. r, p. 10.
AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF MARTIH YAFT BUREFT.
13
edge. After those invaluable objects are substantially accomplished,
many advantages may be derived from the practice I pursued; but
if those acquisitions do not precede its adoption they will in all
piubability never be made.
I was admitted to the Bar of the Supreme Coiut in the Fall of
1803, and gave my first vote in the ensuing spring in the celebrated
Gubernatorial election between Aaron Burr, and Morgan Lewis.
Altho’ I had for some time before been entrusted with professional
business, and, as a zealous politician, represented my county at the
age of nineteen in a District Convention held at Troy, which nom-
inated John P. Van Ness for Congress, yet both my professional
and political career can only be considered as commenced at this
period. The families Avhich had hitherto taken the lead in the
politics of my native town were the Van Ness on the E-epublican,
and the Van Schaack and the Silvester on the Federal side. They
had been opi>osed to each other, as Wliigs and Tories in the Revolu-
tion, and they imbibed the prejudices and resentments engendered by
Civil War; they had also been arrayed in adverse ranks in all the
political divisions that had subsequently arisen, but 'by a remark-
able combination of circumstances I was, at my first appearance on
the i:)olitical stage, placed in direct opposition to those influential
families and their friends as a united body, and experienced a full
share in the intolerance that characterized the times.
Mr. Silvester,^ in whose office I had been placed as a student,
was a just and honorable man. Such was also the character of
his venerable father, and indeed of all the members of his family.
° His Uncdes, the Van Schaacks. and their numerous connexions,
including the widely known and justty respected Peter Van Schaack,
were persons of much reputation and distinction.' But they were
all ardent politicians, and some of them very violent in their feelings.
Efforts to divert me from my determined course 'were not wanting.
I will refer to but one of them. After the election of 1798 or ’9,
when I was between sixteen and seventeen years of age, Elisha
Williams, who in the sequel became my principal professional com-
petitor, arrived in the village, and announced the success of the fed-
eral candidates, of whom Peter Silvester, the father of my instructor
and one of the purest men I ever Imew, was one. Thei'e followed,
of course, a gathering of the faithful — a firing of cannon and all
the usual methods of rejoicing over political success, continuing
until night. It was noticed that I did not participate in these
expressions, and whilst a collection of choice spirits, (of whom
an elder half-brother of mine was one) were drinking their wine
and singing “Hail Columbia!” and other patriotic songs in an
1 Francis Silveatei*. ° MS. I, p. 15.
institute
OF TECHNuu-oGY LISRARY
— — AHSOCIATIOH.
upper room, CornpUnc q-i
mwohant, md , geueronfiSh" i”sta.ctor, .
Having declined his invitation earnestly to join them
an/n midnikt I Lf bis
I rpt °P®^big it admitted Mr Silvp i ^ bnocting at the door,
I returned to my bed, and lif;w ^ bis instance
, ^'ban an hour occupied hirn by its side, and for
Dart? ^ ”10 to ad^ffh"^ presenting the reasons
party, and solicited me to d politicks of the Federal
obvious concern for my Wft whTf r" eaxmestness Iml
bearing him out, I reDlied not but respect,
oughly the kindness of his ^ *bat I appreciated thor-
puri y of his motives, but that satisfied of the
could kt be ctZcr? “iich
ieoi ^^1 he -would TIP ! Paused a moment, and then
tivp k repeated reinonstrauppr ' i natural my
five part which I thus earlv tkv solicitations and the ac-
gendered heart burning with all ^ ^bem in party politics en-
between Mr ^ and occasional +n.r„ 74 JL/r . , .
ao-repnli fii^ester and myself wlZr T ®bght bickerings
sTdS me to sel?? -^nation dil
an heiress at Wasl*^" succeeded in his election to^^k^"" complete my
feather and returned to i?
in his son’s first?^^'’’ ^ cf irealth
bad withheld m bfe and, beW with!? disappointed
So poor ti V advances noTifi ^^ ^ man,
iiomCtio???:?,!^®’ bbat wh^nt^enfkT^ ? "'bport
tC?ncrea±"er -
-paid wC to loan ^Je
■ndUr'T “.““‘“"PhW. Mr W I>°v *'*“‘"■8 ao office ot the
wort.mV?oria;^":tairr^-
cuinbrances he w ^bich bis wife owned mort° nee large sums
e-ent of Forty
® Piedge to re-imburse anj
AUT0BI0GRAPH7r OF MARTIFT VAN BUREN. iO
lemiDorary accommodation I might obtain from other sources; but
at this juncture my half brother stepped forward and loaned me all
I wanted. The prompt return of the forty dollars to Mr. Van Ness
closed our pecuniary relations in advance of the change that soon
after took place in those of a personal and political character.
The war between Colonel Burr, and the Clintonians was then
raging with its greatest severity, and the contest which closed the
political career of the former took place in the ensuing spring.
Mr. William P. Van Ness carried me occasionally to visit Colonel
Burr at Eiclimond Hill, and I met him sometimes at Mr. Van
Ness’s house. He treated me with much attention, and my sym-
pathies were excited by his subsequent position. Having entered
upon the practice of my profession in my native town, under very
favorable ciz'cumstances and already acquired the reputation of an
active politician, the course I would take in the election became a
question of considerable local interest. The relation in which I
had stood to the Van Ness family, with my known personal par-
tiality for Colonel Burr, created so strong an impression that I
would support him, that my friends have often in later years been
called upon to defend me against the charge of having been a Burr-
ite. In reply to a friendly and very proper letter from William P.
Van Ness I stated to him the grounds upon Avhich I had decided to
support the Eepublican candidate Morgan Lewis. These letters are
still among my papers.^ Notwithstanding this, Mr. John P. Van
Ness came from Washington to attend the election, and re-opened
the matter to me, I explained to him at onr first interview the
stand I had taken, and the grounds of it. He however continued
the discussion for sevei'al days, until not finding me disposed to yield,
he stopped abruptly in the street, and said, with emphasis, “I see,
Sir, that you are determined upon your course.” I replied, ‘^Yes,
Sir ! I told you so at the beginning.” He immediately said Good
morning, Sir ! ” with a very gi’ave look and tone, turned on liis heel,
and walked off. From that moment our friendship terminated, and
our social relations even were suspended for nearly twenty years.
We encountered each other in the newspapers and at the polls, and
when I offered my vote, the first I ever gave, his father, Peter Van
Ness, and Peter Van Schaack, who had been, as I have already said,
at variance since the Eevolution, but were now both ardent sup-
porters of Col. Burr, came forward, arm in arm, accompanied by
the son of the latter, who, with their approbation, challenged my
vote. Altho’ the inspectors declared themselves satisfi.ed, I was com-
pelled to take the oath prescribed by law^ — an indignity which at the
^Willicim P. Van A^ess to Van Biireii, 22 February, ' 1804, and Van Buren’s reply, lo
March, 1804.
10
AiViiSiXiilJAlN .
next election I retaliated upon young Van Scliaack in a way as
technically lawful as his own, but which stung him and his friends
too deeply to be soon forgotten.
Peter Van Ness and Peter Van Schaack, whose combined influence
frowned so harshly upon the commencement of my political career
were men of no commion mark. Judge Van Ness commenced life
in the humble but respectable trade of a wheelwright, with very
little education, and yet by the force of a strong intellect and an
indomitable spirit, he raised himself to high positions as well in
the government as in the society in which he lived. As early as
the French War in 1756, and at the age of nineteen, he commanded
a company, by their own choice, and served with them in Canada.
He afterwards commanded a Eeginient at the capture of Burgoyne
in 1777. He was a prominent member, perhaps the most so, of the
Committee of Public Safety for his County, during the Revolu-
tionary War, State Senator, Member of the Council of Appoint-
ment, Member of the Convention for the Adoption of the Consti-
tution, and First Judge of his County, which ofBce he held at the
time of his death. He was intolerant in his political opinion and
arbitrary in his disposition. The traditions of the neighbourhood,
in which he lived and died, abound with anecdotes of his fiery temper
and personal courage, and in the epitaph on his tombstone, erected
at Lindenwald, forty years after his death, and after the place had
been some time mine, he is described by his eldest son. General John
P. Van Ness, as “ an honest brave man, Avho feared nothing but his
God.” My opposition to° his views, which he regarded as a species
of treason in a stripling and a member of a family with whom he
had been connected at marriage and had been always intimate, pro-
duced during the canvass unpleasant collisions between ns that made
it difficult to treat him with the respect due to his years and posi-
tion, and his death occurred too soon after those exciting scenes to
give his anger time to subside. In that interval I had but one meet-
ing with him, and that under circumstances that I had reason to
believe did not aggravate his prejudice. His son William, having
been the second of Col. Burr in his duel with Gen. Hamilton, which
took place soon after the election, finding it prudent to leave the
city of New York after the result was known came to his father’s
house at Kinderhook.
He informed me by a friendly note, of his desire to go to Albany,
and to consult with me, before "going, in regard to his right to be
bailed if he should be arrested there, and for that purpose asked me
to call on him at his father’s house. Happy in the opportunity thus
afforded to shew him that our differences in regard to the election
“ MS. I, p. 20.
had made none in my friendly feelings towards him I started at
once for his father’s residence without a thought of the existing rela-
tions between the old gentleman and myself. As I approached the
porch of the house built and then owned and occupied by Judge Van
Ness, I perceived that the lower half of the old-favshioned front door
which was divided through the middle (a style greatly favored by
our Dutch ancestors) was closed, and the upper open, at which the
Judge was seated close to and with his back against the lower door,
for the benefit of the light, reading a newspax:)er. Hearing my steps
he looked around and perceiving me, instantly resumed his reading
in a maimer that precluded me from addressing him. The door for
explanation, as well as that for entrance, being thus closed upon me,
and not feeling disposed to retreat, I seized the knocker which was
hanging near his head, and gave it a somewhat emphasized rap, and
as I did so I saw a smile upon his countenance of which my position
afforded me a profile view. His son answered the summons imme- .
diately, spoke to his father, (who passed into the drawing room
without looking behind liim) and opened the door for me. He pro-
posed a walk to the neighboring bank of the creek to prevent inter-
ruption from visitors. We pa^ssed thro’ the Hall, and, as we left
the hquse by the back door, he apologized to me for having forgot-
ten the relations between his father and myself, which would have
made it more proper fo^r him to come to me. I told him he was not
to blame, for, in the pre-occuption of the moment, I had forgotten
them myself, but thought the circumstances bid fair to improve our
intercourse, and then described the old gentleman’s irrepressible
amusement at the free use I had made of the knocker. He laughed
and said that he had no doubt his father was pleased with the way,
so much in character with his own decisive temper, in which I had
extricated myself from the embarrassment in wliich he had placed
me. The Judge died in the succeeding month of December, ]}0s-
sessed of considerable wealth. The estate on which he had long
resided, and on which he was buried, was originally settled by a
family who were relations of my father. It was sold at the close
of the Eevolutionary War to pay the debts of the then head of the
family, and purchased by the Judge. He devised it to his son
William, in whose hands it went thro’ a similar process, and was
purchased by one of his creditors who sold it to me. In the many
alterations and improvements I have made in the house I have pre-
served the old double-door, and its knocker, as interesting memorials
of my last interview with its orignal owner.
During my long official residence at Washington, very coiixdeous
relations were maintained with my old friend Gen. John P. Van
127483 °— VOL 2— 20 2
Ness, but he by no means liked my political principles. My course
in regard to the currency and particularly in respect to the Banks'
of the District of Columbia, in one of which he was deeply interested,
displeased him so much, as to induce him to come to our county in
1840, to speak and electioneer against my re-election. Having, at an
early day, obtained my permission to erect a monument over liis
father’s grave, he came up for that purpose, not a great while before
his death, but with an e'vddent resolution that our intercourse should
be of the most reserved character. Altho’ the business he had in
hand would detain him some days, he declined my invitation to stay
with me, and, at first, every other advance on my part to facilitate
his operations. I notwithstanding directed my people to give him
all the assistance he needed, and on the second day he consented to
dine with me. He did the same on each succeeding day, and left me
when his work was" finished with feelings as kind as those which
existed at the commencement of our acquaintance. We visited the
tomb together on the last day of his stay and he read aloud the
inscription on the monument, and when he came to the words com-
memorating his father’s bravery, which I have elsewhere quoted, ho
turned to me and said emphatically ^‘You, Sir, know that this is
true;” to which I very heartily and sincerely assented. The Gen-
eral died shortly afterwards. I did not see him again. I ha^'o
thought this brief notice clue to a gentleman with whom I was at the
commencement of my career so closely connected, and wdio was in
every sense a remarkable man.
Peter Van Schaack was a native of Kinderhook. IPis family was
among its first settlers, and generally independent in their circum-
stances. He was a graduate of Columbia College and had every fa-
cility afforded him for improvement. Of these he did not fail to
avail himself and' came to he extensively and justly regarded as a
finished scholar as well as a learned Counsellor. Having studied tho
Common law thoroughly as a science and made himself master of its
general principles, their application to particular cases ■\vas to him
always a matter of loleasant entertainment rather than of labour. A
diffidence which he could not overcame prevented him from becoming
a successful advocate, but his legal opinions were generally respected.
He was through life, excepting the period of the War of the Ite volu-
tion, the friend and close companion of Jay, Benson, and Sedgwick,
but those ties were suspended by the course he took in tliat great,
struggle. They became prominent and efficient Wl\igs, wdiile his
principles made him a Tory. The correspondence between Mr. Jay
and himself, while they -stood in that position of antagonism, which
is published in a very creditable life of Mr. Van Schaack, written by
his son, does high and enduring honor to both parties. He was ban-
islu'd, iind ivsidcul in Kn^laiul until tlu'. close of the War. Wluni he
rciinauMl Mi*, rlay nu'l hint a( lh(‘ whai’T and li’ava* him a co!‘<rnil and
^■iMU‘roiis nH*t‘[)(ion. Ih‘ resnnuMl (hi* praclicc' of his j)roression and
ill tlu^ |)roi>:r(‘ss of time heiaime onci* mor(‘ imdiul in political ])rinciple
with (!ov. day and tlie olher IViends I havi'. named in tiu' ranks of
(hc' f(‘dt‘ral parly. Allho’ lieocimpied an einiiumt posilion at tlu» Ihu*
and in So(*ii‘ty foi’ half a c(‘n(iiry rollowinn- he was never ivleid.ed to
any [)uhlic. onic(‘, imr was lu'. lo my knowleil^'i' i‘vei^ a candidate for
one. Ill' livi'd in (inns and in loca'iions which wonlil ha.vi' hium fa.-
\'()rah!{'^ (o his (dc^cl ion, if !){^ had (hvsiriMl il, hid; his si^‘ht hecaine i>*rad"
ually inipairtah (*ndin|^* in (olal hlindiu^ss. 'I1ial, <'.ircums[anc.<* and
r(‘elin<>-s of delicacy conne<*f('d wilh his conrst‘, in the Ki'.\’oInti(>n k(‘]d
him out of llu' Armia, as a (’.aiurulali*, hut ilid not prevent him from
iieiiiii.’ a thorou.u'h jiarlisan.
Ilis pr(‘}udi<‘(‘s a^'ainsl. m(‘. in (auiy lif(' W(‘re of the. rank(‘st kind,
hut. hi'iiii*' friujiumily a.ssociated as counsel in import ant professional
husiiu‘ss, in which our hudine^s wi^w (k'cply (udisted, w(*. (aun(‘ to
undiU'siand and to like tuudi oUum’- ’ludtm'. For a. s(‘rii\s of years
l)e.for(^ Ills (haith our ndalious wm-c* of a. friiMully eharac.tei’ politics
always (‘xci’iited. In I'cspiad, (o tlu' laKin*^ we n(‘vt‘r luadiv an ap-
[iroach towaial a(‘.corth JHid hut. a. h‘w y('a rs hefoiH* his disith, he
Wind, old Mini blind as he was, t.<> th(‘. Polls to voti*. a<j^‘ainsl' nu‘, in
iny eanva.ss for ilu' ollice of (h)V(*rnor of Ninv ^'orlc, and in favor
of a jLCent hmian whom I kiu'w lu‘. did no-i. like', piM'sonally, half as
well as lu'. Iik(‘d nils' My faith in tiuy capacity of tiu* imissi's' of t.he
P(‘opl(y of our ( ’(Mint ry to /j;ov(‘rn tluMiisid v(\s, and in tlu'ir ^jCiuK^ral
int(‘^*rity in they exiu-cise of that, function, was very dis'ided and
was more and morc^ si riui/^t lamed as my intcu’course with tlaun ('.x-
temh'd." Of itiis lay had, lo iis^y the n!ild(‘sl Imau, very litthy. 'Hie
Iimit(‘.d <‘Xt(mt t<i- which his natiir(‘ would allow him to (mtiudaiii it.
was, at. :iu t‘arly and (‘ritical period, ovc'.rt hrown, and t.he st'vcuxy
pimallii's indictial upon liis imlitdiid*, doubt U‘ss ;[j;ave to his fiadinp;s
in (his r(\irard a. charachu* of harsina’.ss. Dilferino; so widedy at (lay
starting; point, onr viievs lH‘eami‘ moixy di ver|f»,'(m(. at (nauy step we
look in politics, as W(dl in J*(‘/j!:ard (o nam as to iiayasurt^s. On iny
lirst. ndiirn from Kurland I visilial Kinderhook, and hearini** that
lay was lyin**; hopeh'ssly ill, I was on l-lu^ point, of startiipa* to sis'
him, wlam his son cana^ with an invitatiim from him (hat I should
do so; and I was dei'ply hupri's.-'csl with I he- soiiunnily of (lu' int(‘r-
\'ii‘w. I found him Ivina on a l(‘mp(>rarv Inal in his library, wIuum’
lu‘ dcvsirial lo di(‘, and wlau’i* I had so ofttm se(*n him in tla‘ full
pos-'iss/um aud (‘xcux'ist* of hi.^. powmd’iil iiamtal fiUMiltii's. As soon
‘ Van ‘UiirMn'M npnoiuMils wm* Smith 'rimtiiicim] and Stilmimn SniilliwIcU. IIjm lallar
rumUnji: nii tin* anii Mastmli* W. C. !■',
" MS. I. p, er,.
as I entem] lio. had hiiusidf rais(*d in liis IkmI, i‘X(innhMl hi • hand Itj
mo and eA'prossed his sa.lisfaoUon at s(H‘in^ me. Ih* said that ln'
was goin^' thrungii l\is las(. rhaniiv, and on iny (‘Xi>n‘-sinii' a hnju'
that such might not- prove to he llu‘ case, lu' stoppial me, ami salt!
''No!"* he ha<l lived (yiit- (he full nuaisinn* of his day>, and ruuld ma
he too thank lul tliat his mental faculties hu<l heeti pri‘-er\ed (ill his
last moments. It- so happened that I luid nKuI{‘ niy>rlf familiar
with tlu^. phua' of his residenct' during liis (‘xile in 1/ondon. and he
lisUmed with interest to iny description id* its pri‘n*ut eiuulitiuiK
He si>(>ke kindly and considi'ratcly of tin* ladations that lunl i-xi teil
i)etweeu us, and I was .struck with his (‘vident di‘sin‘ make the.
(‘ivil things liis gentlemanly ilisposit ii)n imluiaal him to 'Siy i‘tui
•foi'iu .strictly to (he fact, without nniving unphaisani rceolleet ion .
In bidding me farewidl forevtu* lit' saiti I am hapi>y. Sir, to think
that, we have, alwa.^'s heen'' frJtfit/s lu‘ stauned id>out (i» add, hut.
pausing a mouu'iit, lit' (‘ontinutMl ""fluii t/au nhfunjs ^
ir/wn- j/rno rl, sited I\ iadt rhaoh'S^ In a tlay or (wo I heard that this
ilist Inguished man liad t'easeil to live.
CHAPTER II.
I remained in the practice of the law twenty five years, and until
I entered upon the duties of the office of Governor, since which I
have never appeared in a professional capacity before any judicial
tribunal, comprising from my admission to the present time a
period of fifty one years. For my business I was to a marked extent
indebted to the publick at large, having received but little from the
Mercantile interest or from Corporations, and none from the great
landed aristocracies of the country. It was notwithstanding fully
equal to my desires and far beyond my most sanguine exj^ectations.
I was not worth a shilling when I commenced my professional career.
I have never since owed a debt that I could not pay on demand nor
known what it is to Avant money, and I retired from the practice
of my profession with means adequate to my own support, and to
leave to my children, not large estates, but as much as I think it for
their advantage to receive. The cases in Avhich I was employed em-
braced not only the ordinary subjects of litigation between man
and man in communities like that in which I resided but extended
to the most intricate and important causes that arose during the last
fifteen or twenty years of my practice. In the management of these
1 was repeatedly associated with and opposed to such men as Richard
Harrison, Aaron Burr, Thomas Addis Emmett, Daniel Webster,
John Wells, John V. Plenry, Peter Van Schaack, Abraham Van
Vechten, David B. Ogden, Samuel A. Talcott and Elisha Williams —
a galaxy of great lawyers scarcely equalled in the professional ranks
of any country.
Elisha Williams, altho’ ten years my senior was my professional
antagonist thro’ the whole of my professional cai'eer. We were for
a long succession of years employed in almost every cause that was
tried at the Bar of Columbia County, Avhere we both resided, and
almost always on opposite sides. We were at the same time promi-
nent leaders in our respectiA^e political parties, and both warm par-
tisans. To the danger of imbibing personal prejudice from these
l^rolific sources Avas added that which threatened the discharge of
adverse duties in cases embittered by the strong personal antipathies
of the parties to the litigation ; and yet, with a constant indulgence
in what is called loose, and means liberal practice, we never had, to
my recollection, a motion before the Court for relief against techni-
cal or formal advantages taken on either side. I invariably en-
countered him with more apprehension at the Circuits than any of
21
the great men I have nainedj and I am sure I speak but the opinion
of his professional contemporaries when I sa}^ that lie was the great-
est nisi-'prlus lawyer of the New York Bar. It seemed scarcely pos-
sible to excel his sldll in the examination of witnesses or his ad-
dresses to the Jury, 'but with these his ambition seemed satisfied ; for
arguments at the Term he was seldom well prepared and far less
successful. On closing our last professional concern after my re-
tirement he expressed to me by letter his great satisfaction that in
a practice so peculiarly exciting as ours had been we had never any
cause for personal complaint in our professional proceedings and
tendered me assurances of his respect and esteem, feelings which
were very cordially reciprocated on my part.
The briefest sketch, of the incidents of such a professional (.‘a reer
as mine has been would yet be too long for insertion here, assuming
that they would be of sufficient interest so long after their occurence,
to justify it. They must therefore, with one or two exceptions, be
left to the judicial reports, and to the traditions of tlie times. J'he
exceptions, as will be seen, have more than professional relations.
My employment as Counsel to contest the title of the Livingston
family to the Manor which bears their name, has been a fruitful
scource of misrepresentation of both my professional and political
conduct, and I will therefore be excused for placing that inattiu"
upon its true ground. Did the subject possess no other interest Iha-ii
my own vindication from unmerited aspersions I would, on the prin-
ciple by which I am governed in the preparation of this Memoir,
pass it by. But a brief and true statement of a matter which has, at
intervals for nearly a century j)roduced hitter litigation tind violence,
making repeated appeals to- military aid necessary to the prc'servti-
tion of the public order, and in regard to which the acts of <li.s-
tinguished individuals have been brought in question, cannot be with-
out interest.
Eobert Livingston, in the year 1681 , obtained a Patent from
the Crown for a strip of Land on the Eastern shore of* the
North (or Hudson) Eiver, stretching from the Northern to tlie
Southern Boundary of the Manor, as it is now held, and extending
into -the woods so far as to contain Eighteen Hundred acres, with,
a reference to monuments at each end of the strip, which ai*e now
the North and South bounds of the Patent. A short time nfler-
wards he obtained another Patent for what was then and has ever
since been known as Tackkanic (Taghkanie?) Flats lying East of the
first Tract, and supposed to contain eight hundred Movghens of
land. Both grants contained definite bounds and distinct quantities.
In 1686 he obtained a Patent of Confirmation, which I’ecites tlu', two
previous Patents, and states that the tracts described in them He.
AUTOBIOGRAPHY OP MARTIH VAH BUREH.
23
adjacemt to each other. This Patent contains apt ^vords granting
and confinning to him and to his heirs the said Tracts of land,
therein represented to have been previously granted and now de-
scribed by exterior bounds, referring to- natural objects, which bounds
included the present Manor. In point of fact the lands embraced
in the two first Patents lay from eighteen to twenty miles apart
from each other, and the intermediate lands constitute the principal
part of the present Manor, amoimting to some acres,
whilst the tracts contained in the original Patents amount to be-
tween three and four thousand. That this representation was the
act of the applicant for the Patent and that it Avas grossly untrue
are undeniable facts. They have never been controverted because
they could not be denied, and there is not the slightest doubt that if
the Government at ° Home had become apprised of the glaring
falsity upon which the Patent of Confirmation was granted, and
had, within a f)roper time, instituted proceedings to vacate it, the
Patent would have been declared void. Why it was not done, and
why this indirect course was originally pursued by Mr. Livingston,
and -why he did not afterwards apply for and obtain an original
Patent not referring to and wholly independent of those which were
tainted Avitli the fraud, are questions which will probably never be
solved. The regulations in force in regard to the quantity for
Avhich grants to individuals were authorized when the first Patents
were granted, the footing on which he stood with the Government
at the different periods when they were issued, and a natural re-
pugnance to an aclmowledgment of the original Error may each
have had their influence in controlling his course, and there may
have been inducements of which we have no knowledge or suspicion.
But instead of adopting the course I have referred to, Mr. lav-
ingston made it the business of his life, as it has been that of his
heirs, to uphold the tainted title by a succession of acts on the part
of the Crown, by its Colonial Government, and on the part of the
State Authority after the Eevolution, to strengthen the Patent of
Confirmation, and his claim under it.
The fact of the misrepresentation and the fraud involved in it
was open to the tenants, and the ground readily taken that no after
acts, bottomed on that original fraud could render the title valid.
This state of things gave rise to periodical agitations and repeated
outbreakings among the tenants from about the year 1760 to the
present time; one or more arose before I w^as boin, one whilst I
was a student at law, one whilst I was at the Bar, and one after
1 left it, "When I was retained by the Committee who represented
the Tenants, I gave the main opinion in writing in which I held,
“ MS. I, p. 30.
First, that the Patent of 16^^6 (the first which covered the Manor)
was void on account of the ^fraudulent misrepresentation it con-
tained and on which it was founded, and was not made valid by
the subsequent Patents which recited it, and were, in that i*espect.
avowedly designed jis Patents of Confirmation only; and Secondly,
That the effect of the possession of the claimants under it and of
the statutes of limitation in barring the rights of the State was
a question of greater difficulty, in regard to ^hich I must not be
understood as encouraging them with a prospect of a favorable
result. A suit to try titles was brought by Thomas Addis Emmett
as Attorney General on behalf of the State, but before it could
be brought to trial, he was displaced from office by a political
change, and succeeded by Abraham Van Vechten. The Committee
not believing that they could be properly prepared at the first
Circuit for which the cause was noticed for trial, in which opinion
their counsel, including Mr. Enimett, (whom they had retained
after his removal) concurred, and assuming that their wishes for
a postponement until the next Circuit Avould, under the circum-
stances, be respected, took no preparatory steps. These views and
wishes were communicated to Mr. Van Vechten, on his arrival at
Hudson, who declined to comply with them, and decided to pro-
ceed in the trial. The Committee protested against this decision,
and refused to take any part in the investigation. The trial, vir-
tually an ex-paHe proceeding, resulted in a verdict for the defend-
ants. No farther steps were taken whilst I was at the Bar, but the
matter was, as is well known, subsequently revived and bitterly
contested.
Wliilst the proceedings first referred to were going on, I was
called upon by Gen. Jacob E. Van Eensselaer, accompanied by Mr.
Williams, and informed that a report was in circulation on the
Manor, that he had said on the floor of the House of Assembly, in
a debate on a petition of the tenants, “that The tenants were not
fit to govern themselves, and deserved to have a Master” — ^that
this report was doing him great injury in the matter of his re^
election, and that, as I could not believe that he had said so, he
wished me to authorize the Newspaper to contradict the report in
my name as the most effectual way of putting it down. I asked
him whether he had any suspicion that the report had been in any
degree countenanced by me. He replied, — “not the slightest ” — that
he had fully satisfied himself upon that point. I then told him
that he had . done me but justice in that regard, that I had never
heard of the report before, and had no hesitation in saying to him
and to Mr. Williams that I believed him to be a man of too inuch
good sense to make such a remark, and this I thought would be
AUTOBIOGRAPHY OP MARTIN VAN BUREN. 25
the general opinion. But I added that their press had been for a
long time and was at that very moment teeming with the most
outrageous calumnies against me on the same general subject charg-
ing me with things which he could not but be satisfied were false,
but that I heard of no attempts on his part or that O'f his friends to
check their course 5 that I would point out the libels to which I
alluded, shew him their falsity, if that were necessary, and that the
moment I found him interfering in my behalf, as he wished me to
do' for him, I would with pleasure comply with his wishes; — ^until
then I must decline to do so. He refused to connect other matters
with his request and was as persistent in making it as I was in de-
clining it. He then gave me notice that he would call a meet-
ing of the People of the Manor towns, on a day and at a place
he named, at which meeting he would charge me with writing a
letter during the preceding winter (as he had been credibly in-
formed was the case), to a member of the Legislature— Mr. ^Tial-
lon advising him .to stave off action on the Tenant’s petition until
after the Spring elections, with a view to securing the favourable
effect on those elections of the pendency of the matter, I assured
him that his information was entirely false, and offered to give
him a letter, authorizing Mr, '\Vhallon to furnish him with copies
of any letters I had written to him, or to obtain copies for him
myself. He declined the offer and called his meeting, I sent a
messenger to the place with a letter, addressed to the Chairman
of the meeting narrating what had taken place between the Gen-
eral and myself — giving the fullest contradiction to the revelation
he proposed to make, and requesting to have my letter read to the
meeting. The Chairman put my communication in his pocket, and
allowed Gen. Van Eensselaer to make his statement — without say-
ing one word to the meeeting about its receipt or contents.
When informed of this I published a card in the Newspapers and
in Hand bills, denouncing in the strongest terms the falsity of the
General’s accusations, and called a meeting at the same place for
the purpose of making the same denial in person. I gave the Gen-
eral notice of the time, place, and object of the meeting with an invi-
tation to attend. When my friend Mr. Morell, and myself arrived
at the place of meeting we found a very large assemblage of people,
and among them General Van Eensselaer, Mr. Williams and several
meinbers of the Livingston family and their Agents. As soon as the
meeting was organized I rose and stated my object in calling it —
submitted to it certified copies of the only letters I had written to
Mr. Whallon — denied the charge upon which the General had ar-
raigned me before them and called upon him to maintain it if he
could. He stood in a remote part of the room, but did not then
speak or shew any disposition to do so. After a pause I rose again,
and, repeating what had transpired, claimed that his continued
silence must under the circumstances be regarded by the meeting as
a confession that his charge was untrue. He then came forward,
greatly agitated, and made an earnest appeal to the meeting, which
he concluded by pledging himself that if I would commence a suit
against him, he would, as the words were not actionable, deposit in
Court five hundred dollars, as stipulated damages, to be forfeited if
he did not prove the charge. I promised to comply with the sug-
gestion, and contented myself with asking the meeting to remember
my prediction that the Deposit would never be made. After the
close of the Election I called upon him to redeem his j)romise, when
he replied that he had, at the time, limited the period within which
the call was to be made, and as that had expired he now declined to
make the Deposit; a declaration which the whole assembly before
whom his pledge had been given knew to be unfounded. The pub-
lication of our correspondence closed the affair between the Cxeneral
and myself. I also brought a libel suit against the Editor ^ of the
federal newspaper for a still broader ° and libelous impeachment of
my conduct and motives' in the Manor controversy. ^ This I ceased
to prosecute on the application of Mr. Williams made by a letter in
vdiich he disclaimed for the Editor a design to accuse me of any-
thing beyond or inconsistent with my professional rights and duties,
claiming only that my opinions were wrong and led to injurious
results..
I make these explanations in view of the extent to which these
questions between Landlord and Tenant have in later times l)eon
made the subject of political agitation — leading to such debu.uchery
of the publick mind as to enable it to hear without apparent shock,
of the extension of Executive pardon to persons convicted of the
darkest crimes gi^owing out of such agitations, under circumstances
justifying deep suspicion of being designed to operate upon their
suffrages and the suffrages of their friends. The time has I ]io])e
never been when my mind would not have revolted at the mere con-
templation of such dealings with such subjects, and I am quite
unwilling to have any acts of mine confounded with those we have
witnessed in more recent times.
I am induced to speak of another matter connected with my pro-
fessional life because it relates to the only personal dispute i (u^c'.r
had whmh led to the extremity to which it was pursued. At the
Columbia Circuit in the year 181 [?] we brought to a final and
favorable decision, so far as related to the Courts of law, tlie ](m<r
existing controversy in regard to the effect of a Patent, ’in which
many of the Dutch families (and mine among theni) w .re inter-
a Northern- Wlilg, piibliahed in Hudson.->.w7 C. r.
Ar'l'OlUotlllAlMI V OF MAIITIN VAN lUTKKN.
27
i‘sUhU uiui \vbi(‘li Mr. \bin Srluiack hail had uudt‘r his prorrssioual
rarr and nianai^rnirnl >inci‘ (!u' yrar 1772. vin’V iiiiK'li dis-
.saiisdi'd with tin* (rstimony of a siu*\'i'yor, wlio hail fornu'rly ht-t'u
(jn oiir sidr hut was now aii'tiinsl ns, 1 Uioui^hl- it. hiii fair, as I was
{’ntilltal to llu» olosint»* to i>:iv(‘ him no(i<a» of the aMaok I in-
UmuIimI to mak(* upon his (‘rrdihility ami tiu' grounds (d* it, to all'ord
thr (opposing C'ounsid an opportunity of sustaining liiin. Among
(li(‘ latter* was dolin Suydain, a youitg g(Mi(.lt*man fr*om anotlu'.r
county and tlam rapidly I'ising in pi’ofc'ssional faino, and also high
in ihi' (‘onlidiuua^ and I'stiann of th(‘ fiHl(*ral party, Wlum 1 eaine to
tliat part of the rase* hr !n((‘rru|)t(Hl lur and us(‘d oll'cmsivi* rxpros-
sious, tt) which 1 rt'jjlird hastily and still luoia'. ollVnsividy. No
far*l lu'r not iia* \vas t aluu) of I he mai l (*r on 1 hat. or iJir*. nmxt day, hut- on
tlu' thii'd a dimuM* was given hy (unuu-al Van Kimsstdaer, at
('la\ tu'aek, to a lai’g(‘ party of distinguished gtmilemeu of tlH‘ fedm’al
par’Iy, im'liiding Mr. Suyrlam and also (imu'ral Harry I/n'ingston, a
valorous old gent leiuan, who owial nu‘ inueh ill will and aeknowledgcal
(he did){ with no luori* r(NerV(* than (hat- with w'hieli lu' strove to pay
it. 1 am far* from saying or men ladirn'ing that- ilu‘ alFair* ladwcam
Mr. Suydain and mys(df was made tIu' suhjiad. of particular aetimi
at. that. diniMU*; hut it gavi' Mr. Suydain a Indhu* o-pportunity than
lu^ had yet had t<i sec* to what isxicmi. 1 w'as an (*y(* sore* to tlu* Mag-
nate's of tin* (\ninty, and e.xposc'd him to (lu*. (e.mptation of raising
liiinsidf in tlu‘ir estimation hy heeoming tlu* instrument- of my
humiliation. On (he* succeeding morning 1 was (*all(*d from my s<*al.
in (k)urt. hy Thomas W (irosvimor (who had lH‘(*n om*. of tlu* guests
at the i*n((‘riainnu*nl. re*f('rri*d to) ami hy him pres(*nt(*d with n ehal-
i(‘ngi* from Mr. Suyilam. Mr. («rosv(‘nor was (lu* hrol her in la w
()( Mr. Williams and a man of d(H*id(*d talmif. and distiuc’t.ion in ]>uh-
li<‘k life: he la'eaine afterwards a. prominent m(*mh(*r of (’ongrt^ss,
hatl a personal atlair with Mr. (’alhouujaml die'd at Ihdtimore. lit*
('xpresst‘d his d(*siiH* to aia’ommodati* llu*. mu(ti‘r in whii^h I lK*li(*V(^
in* was sineen*, as, altlH^’ a. man of e.xi.r(*m(* viol(*m*(* in polit ies, lu* was
not. wanting In gt‘iU‘rous impulses, and proc(‘e<h*d to stall* how lu*!
thought the a Hair miglit he arranged without. dis(‘r(‘dil oi\ (‘it her side.
I tliank(*d him for his good dist>osition, hut. had no dillicndty in
showing him that tin*. i‘(*eiproeal di*elarat ions lu* sugg(*sted would
hi* diri'i'tly iiieoiisistent with what. I had said of Mr. Suydain, and
eonclmled Ijv ti‘Hing him (hat I had no I'onr.si* hut |.o acc<*p|. (hi* invi-
tation, and would give him a formal answer, (hrougli my fri(‘nd Mr.
Morell, after tlu* adjournment of tlu* Court-. No one (*nt(*rlains a
more* con((*mpt lions opinion of (lu*. hrav(‘i*y of tlu* Dm*! ti<‘I<l than
myself, or holds tlu* prai‘ti<*e in li*ss respe.i*!, hut I detmu*d it- indis-
p{*nsahle to tlu* maintenance of my position to follow tlu* had ex-
amples which publick oi>inion liiid sanctiemed il not required. I
28
AMEEIGAN HISTORICAL ASSOGIATIOH.
therefore delivered my acceptance to Mr. Morell on my returning
from Court. He reported to me the next morning that Mr. Grosve-
nor irritated by the incessant remonstrances of his friends against
his agency in the affair, had refused to have any intercourse with
him upon the subject, and had tendered to him any responsibility
that he chose to demand; that he had then called on Mr. Suydam
and offered him my reply which he refused to receive unless it came
thro’ Mr. Grosvenor. I requested him to see Mr. Suydam imme-
diately and to propose to him, in my name, that we should agree
to dispense with the farther action of both of our friends and appoint
others as the only way in which the difficulty that had arisen could
be obviated. He executed the commission and returned with a verbal
answer from Mr. Suydam that he could not, under the circumstances,
consent to dispense with Mr. Grosvenor’s services. I went imme-
diately to his hotel and posted him, and the affair finally evaporated
in newspaper publications and recognizances to keep the peace.^ For
some years there was no intercourse between us, tho’ a disposition
to restore friendly relations was quite apparent on his part, and at
length meeting at dinner, while attending Court in a neighbouring
county, and sitting opposite to each other, he asked me to pass the
wine which stood before me, and I met the overture with an invita-
tion to take a glass with- me which he accepted “ with pleasure ”, and
we walked arm-in-arm to the Court house to our mutual gratifica-
tion and the astonishment of our friends. He soon after joined our
side in politicks, was elected to the [State] Senate as a Democrat,
became my zealous friend and supporter and remained so till he
died, sincerely lamented by all who Imew him, and by none more
than myself, as a man of noble impulses, honorable character and
decided talent.
Earnestly engaged in a successful and lucrative practice, I had
no desire to be a candidate for an elective office, nor did I become one
until the Spring of 1812, when I was forced into that position by
circumstances with which I could not deal differently. But from
my boyhood I had been a zealous partisan, supporting with all my
power the administrations of Jefferson and Madison — ^including the
Embargo and other restrictive measures,— had acted with tlie great
body of the Eepublican party in supporting the election of Morgan
Lewis against Aaron Burr for Governor, and subsequently that of
Daniel D. Tompkins against Governor Lewis - for the same office,
sustained the prorogation of the Legislature by Governor Tomp-
kins on the ground of the use of cornipt means to obtain the charter
of the bank of America, and had exerted myself, as far as I could,
^Two notes of this affair arc in the Van Biiren Papers, November 25 ISll and
February 17, 1812,~W. C. F.
2 In 1807.--W. C. P.
AUTOBIOGEAPHY OF MARTIN VAN BUREN. 29
to arrest the bank mania of the times by which the State was dis-
honoied and its best interests impaired. It is a curious coincidence
in my publick career that notwithstanding my devotion to politicks,
my first nomination for an elective office as well as that for the lust
I held, should both have been brought about by the unfriendly acts
of those who chose to regard themselves as rivals without being, at
the moment, anticipated by myself. There were several highly
respectable citizens who aspired to the nomination to fill the va-
cancy in the office of State Senator which occurred in my District
in 1812, but I was not of the number. I was unwilling to permit
the possession of such an office or any other cause to interfere with
the prosecution of my profession, to which I w^as warmly attached,
and the circumstance that there had not then been so young a man
as myself elected to the Senate prevented me from even thinking
of it. William P. Van ISTess, in whose office I had studied law, was
one of the aspirants. He had succeeded to the title and possession
of his father’s place at Kinderhook and Mr. John C. Hogeboom and
myself had prevailed upon Governor Tompkins to relieve him, by
pardon, from the disfranchisement to which he had become liable
as a second of Colonel Burr in the duel with General Hamilton.
He had solicited my support but received for answer that I consid-
ered Mr. °Hogeboom best entitled to the place. To this he assented*
and assured me that he should do nothing to prevent his selection.
hTot long afterwards and while Mr. Hogeboom and myself were
spending a few days at Albany, we accidentally discovered that Mr.
Van Ness (who had accompanied us to the city) was at that mo-
ment prosecuting a complicated intrigue to defeat our wishes in the
matter — whatever they might be. Indignant at the information we
had received, and mortified that in a matter in regard to which, as
it proved, neither of us had any personal desires, we should have
l)een thus treated, we immediately started for home determined to
defeat the machinations that had been set on foot with so much
secrecy and had already been in part executed. On our way from
Albany Mr. Hogeboom, for the first- time, informed me that the
state of his private business would not admit of his being a can-
didate,— that he had consulted witli our friends at Albany —that
they all thought it important that I should be in the Senate, and
that Mr. De Witt Clinton was particularly desirous that I should
be sent. I objected to the proposition for reasons already referred
to, with sincerity and earnestness. He entreated me not to come
to a final conclusion until he could have a full opportunity to place
the subject in all its bearings before me, and prevailed upon me
to stop at his house for the night that we might talk the matter
®MS. I, p. 40.
IV I I I I V /in V vcxi j ^vnr»v;v • i V .
()V(M’ ni()i*t‘ lully. In ilic' coin'sc', of t,lu> ovonino; bo infornied me more
pnrli(‘iilnrly of ilu‘ vi(‘\vs takon of llio inatier by Mr. Clinton, and
rtMuonsI I’tib'd ('ai*n('si ly a|>:ainst a refusal to i*oin])ly with the wishes
of iny friends. I a^aHU'd to o*ive hini a final answer in the morning
wlu*n, satisfied tliat iluwe Avas but one ground on which I could
with proprit'ly dindini', I infoi'ined him that altho’ T had not heaixl
so 1 llionght it vt'.ry i)Vol)abl(‘ that Mr. liobert Jenkins, a Ivighly
respeeUal eitizen of lliidson, might, if the nomination was to come
from that eiiy, (basin', to have it; that if he did so desire, as I had but
recently ht'eome a resident of Hudson I could not think of entering
into {‘ompi'tii ion wilh liiin; Ihut 1 slionld on rca(‘hing liome com-
mimieult^ to Mr. rlmdcins'’ fi’iends without reserve all tlnit had passed
ludwtum us, and that if they di<l not desire the nomination for Mr.
thmidns 1 would not oppost' ilie wisc's of my friends, but if they did
1 must insist on bi'iiig (*x(‘used. To this he consented and Ave parted.
On my arrival 1 found (hat lheri‘ also the eily delegates had already
lunui eliosi ‘11 and that I ha<1 hemi placed at their head, Avith three other
gmillcmeu, {lu‘ partimilar friends of Mr. 1\. Jenkins, of whom his
hrotluuA Mr. Siuh thmkius, was one. 1 immediately asked an in-
(lU’vii'w with thost‘ gmitUanen af my oAvn house, in AAdiich I stated
t(} tluan all that had passcnl between Mr. llogehooin and myself —
my own disiiudinalion to hi', a candidale -and my determination to
refuse the lUHuinaiion if they desired to bring Mr. denkins forward,
and I lu*gg(‘d them (o inform uu' franlcly of their wishes. From their
couvrrsatiou 1 inferred lha(. I was mistaken in su])])Osing they cii-
iertained (he views 1 had antieipated, and that they concurred in
till' opinion of Mr. Uogi'boom that. 1 could not refuse to run. Find-
ing myself thus committvd as T su])])osed to a contest with Mr. Van
Ni'ss only for (he nomination, I thought it important in vicAV of
the Iransaetion at Kimlerhook to have the altention of the Tarty
imnuMliutely direi-ted lu (he siihjeet by a call of the Cmwontion.
Souu‘ days after (lu- imblieat/ion of the Call, Judge Wager, a po-
litiiad friimd from tlu' (‘ountry (‘alhul at. my ollii'e and said, learn
ihut you intend to have (he Senator taken from Hudson ’’--to Avhieh
I replied, in a toiu* which under such einaunstanees gentlemen Avho
suppose themselves rid'erreil to usually employ. He rcsi>onded that T
need not speak so modestly as it Avas not; to me but, to Robert denkius
iluii. he relVrnal, I told him that he was mista.ki'u upon (hat point,
as Mr. »lenkins did not wish the. uomiuntion, on hearing whiidi he
informed me, to my amazement, that, my eo delt'gali'. Seth rlenkins
had witliiu (lie hour a))t)lied to him (o supjxirl. lus lirother, and
had, in n»ply to a suggi'slion from him about me, referred to m.y
voulh and nsamt setllmnenl in (lie eily as reasons why I ought
not to be selected. Satislied from the elianieier of my infonnaut
thivi- iluM’p could 1)1' no inislala' on his pai‘l 1 iinnindialnly tuldr'essed.
nolcs 1 o ilu' ill roe ^cnllcnu'n of llu' (^)nunllioo invifino' thcin to
meet nu' in (lie (‘Vi*nin;Li\ I'hev eamo io my liouso- at tlu'; tiinn aip-
))oint(‘d and I repeatetl io (hem what had ])assed at our |)reAdons
intiu'view, as I have stated it here, atid tlum asked whether nvy
slat (‘HUM it was correei. Mr. Seih »Ienkins (who was the sj'iokes-
man ( hron<i:hou( ) answered allirmatively, hut added that they had
not at any (inu* (‘Xpn*ssed (lu‘ms(dvc‘s to the elVeet I had inferred,
a It ho" he friady admith'd tlnit my infeiv.iiee. from what had heen
said was. nmhu* the eireumstamu's, ns ri^'ht and fail* as if tliey liad. ex-
prt'ssed theinstdvi'S to that idl'eet in terms. I then mentioned his eon-
vi'rsation on tliat day with dud<2:(v Wac'ei’, my a(‘(‘ount of which he
admitted to he correct. I then asked him, with much feelin/^ on
what ground he could justify hiinsidf in treatin<*: me in
si) unfi;en(‘rons a maiuuu’, Ui'. r(*plied promptly that h(‘ would not
attemjd. (o dimy that (heir course had in ai)[)earance heen hotli dis-
inc'tmuous and unkind, hut he allirmed solimily (Ind it had not
procciuhul from unfriendly nu^lives, hnt that th(*y had heen (’on-
trolhal l)y (‘ircumstan<‘es which he mi^Iit. some day explain to me.
and !>la('ed in a- situation that put it out of th(‘ir power to m*t
o{Iu‘rwisi» and (hat (liey would have no reason (o eomplain of
any eourse I th(Ki<jchl. proiiiu* (o take. I rc^plical that (h(*y Inul
left. m(‘ no olliei* <’hoi(‘e than to obtain (lie nomiiiat/ion if in my
powiM% wliich 1 should assunally do, and we partcHl. The remain-
inir luemhi'rs of the (k>nmn(lee were hotli lionorahle and U|)i*i^ht
men, incapahlt*- of an unworthy design. Mr, denkins had many
id’ the <x^hhI <jtialities of his v\m\ hut had besides au innate passion
for politu'al in(ri)j;ue, and as I Iravi^ almost always found to he
(he case witli men suhjiu't to that in(irauil<y, was neith(‘r skillful
ill his sclumu‘s or sueei'ssfid in tlu^ir execution. His suhsecpKmt ex-
planation was (hat he luid entereil into an arran^ifement with Mr.
\'an N('ss lliat tlu^y would comhine lludr strem^th afifainst as-
siiinin^^ that T would he a candidate, and leave it to the camvention
to decide hetween his l)i*other and Van Ness, a.nd that lu'. hml been
ol)]ip:ed to ])r*<)niise- the latter that he would hold n«o c.ommunieaiion
with me U))on the sul>je(*t, until tlu^y met a^ain. But why such
an ((udeu'stundinci; pre(‘lnde(l him; from sayiii/x what, wordcl (w-
t airily (‘Xcliidc* me from the (‘.anvass lie. could never {‘xpla/m witlmut
conc(‘diii;L»‘ that, Ihey were cm’taln of their <Jcaim^, and tluit they had
a fnrlliei* ohjiu't, vv/r, to hr(‘ak down my inihumee in the (*oimty,
wliieli lu'. was not willin/x to admit.
'Vlw contest, (‘Xeited ^jcrcait inieri‘st, and (he (diivmntion was the
most. imp(>sin<>: in niunht'rs and eharacPu* (hat had i‘.ver heen ludd in
(he county, d'lu^ repiihlican portion of (he Livingston family sup-
32
AMEKICAi!^' HISTORIGAE ASSOCIATION.
ported Edward [P.] Livingston, and combined their opposition to
me with the supporters of Jenkins and Van Ness, each willing that
the convention should nominate either of them so that I should be
excluded. I was chosen by a majority over all of them on the first
ballot. The election was severely contested. The federalists sup-
ported Mr. Livingston, who had also a spurious republican nomina-
tion. Against me were arrayed the entire federal party, the Lewis-
ites, the Burrites, and the supportei's of the Bank of America, who
had obtained its charter at a previous session of the Legislature, but
designed to procure from the next a reduction of the bonus they had
been obliged to promise to the State — a project they were well satis-
fied would be opposed by me. Our Senatorial district then embraced
a quarter of the State. Mi'. Livingston and myself were the only
candidates in the field, and I was successful by a majority of less
than two hundred, the whole number of votes given being about
Forty thousand. Altho’ this was the actual' result, much delay and
many unfavorable reports and contradictions preceded the final an-
nunciation of my political birth and baptism.
The annual election under the old Constitution took place in the
last week of April, and the Supteme Court of the State commenced
its spring session at the city of New York in the first week of May.
Thither flocked all the leading lawyers of the State, who ivere, in those
days more even than now, also its prominent politicians, bringing
with them the results of the elections in their several counties ; we
had then neither railroads, nor electric telegraphs, and the first week
or two of the Term was generally spent in anxious expectation and
digestion of election reports. My district was mainly^ composed
of Fiver Counties, lying on both sides of the North Fiver, and there-
fore among the Jftrst to be heard from; still, when I left Hudson to
attend the Term, it was generally conceded that I had been defeated.
Whilst I was arranging my luggage and my papers, my opponents,
headed by the leading men of my county, were celebrating their
supposed victory at the Hotel on the opposite side of the street,
and when I left my door the most jubilant among them appeared
on the piazza and shed upon me, at parting, the light of their beam-
ing countenances. On the steamboat I met the well known Ebenezer
Foot, an able lawyer and remarkable man of the clay, always before
that time a Democrat, but then seduced from my side thro’ the in-
fluence of the Bank, who professed to sympathize with me in my
defeat. VTiile passing Catskill I pei'ceivecl the tall figure of my
brother-in-law. Judge Cantine,^ towering above the crowd, and point-
ing his finger at a small boat that was malring towards us. When it
" MS. I, p. 45.
1 Moses J. Cantine. — W. C. F.
AUTOBIOGEAPHY OP MARTIN VAN BUEEN. 33
reached us a letter was brought to me containing a canvass of the
old republican county of Delaware which shewed that my majority
in that county had been understated, and was in fact sufficient to
render my election certain. I handed the letter to my sympathizing
friend Counsellor Foot, whose countenance, notoriously not hand-
some, supplied an amusing coinmentary upon his recent condolences.
When the steamer arrived at New York, early on Sunday morning,
Judge William W. Van Ness of the Supreme Court, a very distin-
guished man, of whom I will have to speak hereafter, and Barent
Gardinier^ a famous federal member of Congress during the War of
1812 , wm^re sta-iiding arm in arm, on the wharf, and recognizing
Thomas J. Oakley on tlie boat, they hailed him, and demanded to
know the result of the election for Senator in the Middle District.
His characteristic reply was that “ Van Buren was on board, and
they should ask him.” The Judge only said Come Gardinier, let
us go,” and they walked off without farther question, but meeting
afterwards with a citizen of Rockland County, wlio gave him a can-
vass of its election different from the one theretofore conceded to
be correct, he came to my lodgings, and asked me what would be
the result if Rockland had given the vote he named, to which I re-
plied that in that case Mr. Livingston was certainly elected. He
gave me the name of his informant and Icindly assured me that the
information might be relied on. Having received the official Can-
vass from the county of Rockland, the next morning, I reciprocated
Judge Van Ness’ polite attention, by enclosing it in a note which
was delivered to him, whilst seated on the Bench, by that gi*eat man,
in his way, High Constable Hays, and this ended all question on
the subject.
From this period to the expiration of my Presidential Term I
occupied, without the intermission of a year, responsible official po-
sitions either in the state or federal governments, two thirds of the
time ill the latter, — positions which made it my duty to take active
part ill the discussion and settlement of almost every public ques-
tion, in conjunction with or in opposition to many of the distin-
guished j)ublic men of the day.
It is of those questions, and of the measures produced by them,— -
of the xoarts taken in regard to them by myself and by mj’ con-
temporaries, with my views of their characters and dispositions, that
I propose to speak. I design to state as well how those subjects
presented themselves to me at the time, as how far my first impres-
sions have been changed or modified by subsequent experience or re-
flection.
I would shew myself unfit for the performance of tliis task if I
not deeply sensible of the obstacles to its satisfactory execu-
12T4S3“— vol2— 20 3
were
ilniu Ti> c\lMi tlu‘ Ui f.-ntl ui, ssUiru Urdu:i!i 1
is su pn>iu‘, i-.|H’ri;\Uy \vlii*U it li:i (.•lupt.ifiHU uad ,
of mH auto bin^rnjjhy, ; a tar a < ta laaKa uhat i la! rnaaij!
praiioiinrt* justly aial impart ially iUi natltar- ui v.hah ur !m\
(>iii‘;''('l\ i‘S iiaplit’atad and ta • paaU v\ilh truth and t*au‘ii
t’aul 1 ‘tHpararii‘S, wlirtliar thry hu\a Ismui ln»tiu4 fa it 1»\ p»
au-nauiumi and prrsaiial f 1.-, tir r .^paralad frani u h\ tha ha,
IMU'hap;: hy tlu‘ aspi'ritir^ (jT party an* tlill'radf thiu!* . M,
(‘Harts will lin\V(‘Vi‘r tint ha watihui.r (n a'^aumpii h thr a ahj,-. {
lav (*«udidi*ntH‘ iu laV ahdit\ ta da -n i.% fataaird iia t|ualil!a
af lUu hrart. ratlmr than af iha uiiud. M\ paliti»Ml appMia-i
(‘\(‘rv atarn' at* uiy puhlir lift*, Irna uith ‘’r-Mt uuaunia.t\, am
lia uian‘ thatl jU.'tiai*, t’alitaMital ta lut* a rai'.- a\riapliun Ii'h-
p{*rMUiai ill will \vhi»’h partv ditlVn*th‘*-v ara apt t*» aufaaidi T.
tn\’ hn*asl naw tin* ahitluip; plaar* tti tUn •' uaulud latduaa ai
li(‘si\a prrjudirt* ; . t> td'tau chrl t laal h\ piihlia Uira a. !in !ja\,
tdnvaiird in (hair i‘ari*ar. 1 tVal that \ ha\a luadt* aihut ii
[jort (^r riirltt prinaijili- uldrh h;nt‘ fail*‘d, at tna? .. talhf'r '’t
^ rit’hlly iinilrrsiatHl tjr ju lly appra^^iatad : a tiuii!*; that ha. hap
(a r\ary tu;u\ wtui har a pirt'tl tit an intluaua.* in tl.f St Ca.
would ha unju: t in raa not (u adudt, a.-. ! iana td «'a. 1 i>T;‘ uid a
doiHu that my ; iiara of pnhlia lamor- lia*- haau :*r*‘ai:rr than I
(hinlv my idf aiilitlad tn h\ pnhlia r am iat- , ‘1 h** a\a*« mi
ar(*dit<‘d to tin* iianaro it y of pulitlaal friand , rhhuu \ai\
ratidy ptmport ioiit*ti to tin* marifa of (Indr favoriti* .
My aonililiuiaa iti fht* inta‘n*it\ of pnhlia opinion j. at tld m
‘ as:dron?i’ a*’ it- avt*r ua -. and my Inairt a n!*a , aia that thma li\
now and has not lived in our eounlrv a pnhlia man to whom
not di poa*d to do jurtiaa* I tuav In* nil taken u. to faat am
i (diisions and 1 may ovyrnde my nhdity' to ht^ impart tah h
j inirrnnons mind shall mad wind I wo’itt* withotd uaUnowiadnir
[lurity* of mv intentions, 1 tduim to he tolarahly widl aaijir
with the working*'* of tin* Imman heart, jiud if ! nm not ati I
■ tlu‘ eomdnsion that the fruits (jf mv pnssmf lahonr uill hea,
: test, I will destroy them,
[ Aeeomds of pi^rsonnl irnnsaetions with delintaition . of indi'
j , lHaailiaritie>. of mind jind manners eonstitnti* tha n ual . ta|
t works (d* t his d{*saript icm. It mi^^ht tnuu on tlr f that in r
[ to politieal MemoiiN it. would atlonl mor<‘ inti’n*:! to iv\plai
: nature of tin* ^’reait (juesticm.s that oeenpi(*d the pnhlia mind, a
re'(‘Xamint‘ tin* di^•au^^ion^s that i/n‘w out of tlieni. duriu;/ tha |
(*mhr;n*ed hy the svriler. Hut ^.uah an impi'e ion uoist 1 thin
its forae \vln‘n it is eemsidered that at. (In* time when sueh me
am usually prepanal ihosr ejuestion.s have genernUy been t
AUTOBIOGRAPHY OP MARTIN VAN BUREN. 35
settled in public opinion, have lost their importance or have been
exhausted of their interest by re-iterated argumentation. The apathy
and indifference which in such cases succeed to great interest, almost
in proportion to its previous intensity, must be familiar to all observ-
ing minds. But whilst our concern in public questions is thus, in
the nature of things, doomed to die away, it is very different in
regard to the conduct and motives of distinguished individuals who
took part in them. These seem never to lose their fascination, and
hence our curiosity is seldom wearied by recitals of .events of even
little importance, before unknown, in the liv.es of men who acquired
notori et]^ in their day. Hence also a great part of our interest in
accounts of stirring scenes which we know to be fictitious. The most
attractive as well as the proper study of mankind is man — ^not only
to gratify our curiosity but by instructing us in the nature and dis-
positions of our fellow men, to increase our ability to perform well
and successfully our own parts in the great drama of life.
CHAPTEE III.
Senatorial term conimcnced at a most critical period both of
the State and Nation. War had been declared against Great Britain
shortly after my election, and New York, as a frontier State, was
destined to bear the brunt of the contest. Her extended frontier, as
well by land as by sea, and the defenceless condition of both, cast
a heavy responsibility on her Legislature. The Presidential elec-
tion was close at hand, and the State had, with gi’eat unanimity
put one of her most distingTiished citizens in nomination for that
high office. In addition to these grave matters, the Bank mania was
at its highest point, and the State violently excited by the employ-
ment of the most profligate means for its gratification.
Neither the first nor the last of these subjects could cause me the
slightest embarrassment. I had, as a citizen, given my ardent sup-
l)orb to the preventive measures recommended by Jefferson and Madi-
son, and regarded the declaration of war as a step indispensable to
the maintenance of our National honor. No consideration, personal
or 23olitica], could therefore withhold me from giving my aid to its
vigorous 2 )rosGcution. I was always o 2 )posed to the multi^^lication
of banks, and thronghout my eight years’ service in the State Senate,
voted against every a23])lication for a bank charter, save one at Buf-
falo, the object of which was to aid in repairing the losses sustained
by the destruction of that town by the enemy, and justified as being
in some sense a war measure.
Still more hostile to the bank cormiotions so prevalent at the time,
and against which I had successfully struggled in my election,
nothing could be more congenial to my feelings and opinions than a
cordial co-o2:)eration with all efforts to arrest the increase of banlcs,
ajid to expose the guilty authors of those corruptions to the execra-
tion of the People.
My course in respect to tile Presidential Question was, on the
other hand, beset with serious difficulties. Mr. Madison had been
nominated for re-election by a majority of the members of Congress
— (then the usual method of making such nominations) and he was
admitted by the Eeioublicans, of every sort, to be an honest man and
an accomplished Statesman. The Eepublican members of the New
York Legislature had, however, before I became a member of that
body, as I have already said, with great unanimity, presented Mr.
Clinton as the opposing candidate, and ha'd asked and o'btained his
AfnuUtXlUAlMlV iU' .MAIITIN VA'N' lUHiKN.
37
((j (lu‘ prcjvctaliiia*. 'Fho iinpt'mlino; ilan<j,H‘r of War," and tv
I -uptMdor rupni'ilv (ui (hr pai’l of Mr. (Minion to nund; siudi
a ( ‘risis wci’o anio!i”’ llu* I't'asons iissi^'iu'd for his noniiual.ioii. M\)
N('\v \ orkiM's it was tirpal (hat. (he I jt‘L!:isIat.iire haviiii>* plareil him.
in ills ihrn pti>ition, ami no chanii*'!' ha-viinji: ialviav place save (he
arlual dta’lnralion of Whir, (}u‘ an(H*ipa(ion of whieli was one*, of (he
main naisons I'or his nominalion, (lu'.y owed it- (o thi'ir own and his
lionor (o a'ive him (lu‘ voit‘ of lhi‘ Slate. .1' look my stad'. in i.hc Simale
for (ht^ liivd linu* a( llu‘ S\( ra*‘S(‘ssion of tlu*. Le<>‘islal iir*e, held for
(ht‘ rhoii’i' of 1 hM*:*;iden( ial hdi'clors, and it, Nvas (daimed (ha(^ ( s(oi>d
in a posiliou (o which liie.-:(‘ ronsidi'ral ions aiJplie.il. I yiidded to
(heir inllnence, hitl <lid so with imdisia’nised relii<hauc(\ and with a
tleierminai ioiu und(‘r:dot)d hv all, lira! nodiino’ should pri'Vent nu\
from o;ivin‘,r niy and iniliicnct*. in fa\‘or of a vieprons prosiMui'
Snai <d‘ (he W*ar. flnd/»’e llamnmmk i*i kis lkdi(i(*al liistory (d’ Ni^.w*
York, phn’cs my mo(ivi‘s upon (he liau' ^p’ound.’ 'Fhat. I ac(ed in
slrifl. conronniiy lo Ihc wislu's of my imiiuMliali'. consrd.nenls IIhum^
was iifj doiihl, ami il i ■; tMjuidly (rm‘ ihal- I consclmd iimsly luditn’iMl
that. I wa . aclini;.’ in the liiu' td’ my duty, Ihit now, wlum the I'Xcili'^
ment '. i>f the day have passed away, and personal pnaliliM*! ions have.
l(isl. (heir iidlucma* upon (1 h‘ ((iie ll<m, I am fna* (o say lhaf wi' all
eommilted a /rrtad erroi\ 'The. rej(*e(ion hy (he Ik'ople. <d‘ (he IhH'si*
dent who liad rcer)mmeiided llu* W'ar, in (he a.hs.tmei' cd’ any ael- lo
show liis imaimpel eucy, woldd hav(‘ <hmo mma^ injury (o llu* pulilie.
serviff than eould have been counler halaneml hy (hi‘ alle/.‘;etl stipes*
rlor { jind i ii<‘a 1 ions of Mr. (Minton for llu* crisis. MMiis tMjusidm'al ion
shotdd ha\e im!ue<«d (lovermu’ (Minimi (o decline (la* Slali* nomina-
tion, after the ileclaiad i<m <d' W'ar, md.wit hstaiulin/i; l-he ^!:r()und upon
which he had liccn pill, lorwnial, and (o imilt» with his friimds in IIun
! tipp<u-{ id’ Mr. Matli.soin llis fallnri' (<i do so was falal (<# hi:-: na-
tional aspirations, ami many <d’ his friends di'stroyed (lieir polilical
inllumna' hy addin/j: di.spnrn^':tmu‘)ds of (he War (o (heii* opposition
(o (lu* <*nrididid(^ hy whom its declandimi lia<l heen rccomnumdecl.
Pint. I nmsoned diU’erenliy then, or 1 niijudd p(‘rliaps say nion*. imm*-
reelly, fidt (linVrmdlv\ fnr my personal nti-aehmmd- (o Mr, ( Miidon was
hlron^ ami prohahly too much inllmmciM] my jmlymmd. My coni’se
howiA'cr, aldiotioii wrone^, was (hits lar mditled lo (lu‘. me.ril. of dis-
inlcrc>ledm‘ss of mo(i\'i‘, (hat \ imiliai-kiMl in his support, wilhmd. a
hop(* (d* su<‘(’css. lla\'iii^* heard of :a»mi^ remarks ol mine indicative
<d’ (his stall*, of miinl, addri‘sr (‘d to a mtiliial and ardmit friend at.
dud. ^crv sc sion. In* (‘allcil on me ami said: I luan* (hal yon di*--
sjuiii- id’ (he election." I admided dial I had madi^ die. ohsmwal ion
MS. n ji. :.e.
‘ Volume l. JrJI. W. <*. !■’,
lo wliich 111' alliiil.'ii, piu.-.-.M.'.i i.. . vf-l.ii!. ij'' ;
whifh \Vi-i-i' in n!' iani-r, \ .af v. !tit m i • cu
llu‘ ^l>^in^■, wi' hu'l tn* olhiT .■inir t" pm n.- t i.n; i-^ ; . ! '■ v m
(III- S(:ita to litin. Itiit that 1 fu!l,\ h.-i:.-\,.l it .'r nniv ii
III- Ihni .-.hi-wi-.I nu- a fal.-ululmn v. i v t'.n-aahl.- t-- !, . -h, i
liy a noti-.l poliii.-ian, tiuit .lul not .-hamv mi. .-pm -.n !h..n;-'a il
i-viili-nt I V proi liK'i'il a strenii!' iiiipn- ■'loii on huu.
Mr. Clinton lunl n>>l on an ouiti -•!' p.ii t i. ttl.tr . m uiu f:
i-.\pi-rtcii my .■.iippori, 'I’hf I \'ill hn.-!l> t vi.- .i ih-'V ith-i
illn.'^lralion of tin- .laupT of u< imK n['oa lutVim.-.- i- I'- v m
plam.il. Ir ami tin* propm-ty of prompt . -.plan it am p-.i
W'hil'l Anilirci.i' S[irut*rr ;iii4 jiuj ' ?«»r»
ciiU‘ ill thi* ptJti’U ni *»u m
(‘nvu“;;i (‘ninitv, (a( uhaii v, a <. i i
('iiuii whit'h I \v:t:; aUrniliii:^ a C nim rli, mn Ufi'- i ■
({> IIS runt a ill iiiit itt‘U . tif lltr dratU ut Vltuiur^ ttiaits.u llrhi
'riu' rlntliTt* nftrr a niniurut rrllrcihiiu tunini u* lu.- ki.A u»i
1h’ n iM rrt h' I aicrc ur an*! al mu* »* r i !,:«• .s..
jjorl. I lhauktal huu t'nriliaiii, hut j'\|Uf* -‘i au a|«|um:,.ru *c.
(hiu’u wiu'f ohh'T UHauln'i . tif th»* pn»lr uui auHUiU Mur p ^
I'ruaul-. wht^ wtiuhl think thnu «‘hr- lipht^'^l
VUllU^ a man. Hu i'unt ! ti\rrfrtl ihr uppM .UiMU v-.Ult
fariH’ t Ill’s o, anil 1 |U’i>mi lal tu think ^*1 tiu" usitnu, I u.r J m;*;.
mVM’lf wuru at thr tiua* upnu wi s pmul tniu , S<uf ;u fh -
.si’ari’flv {M’n’t’jjt ihlu hnl “till r\j tu^r »liu mu lu mui putt. Ui i
hiniiuir ami tin* frimi! . nf I ranli.c.1 .uuMup t Uc
1 ilid nut. liku tu tak*- u t -p in tin* mattrr u:'-c nd h. J
Spmu’i’r uiihuut nm ullinp Mr. ('iuifuu, Hu i^tmu r**
wrutf tu Mr. ihrhanl Ivikm\ ihm u rnuiiiirut uil lurud cf Mi
tuiu inlurminjLj' him uf what lunl jia - rd lu-fwirji ih--
mysntr, and rn«itn‘ atinjit him tu t’tiuvrr c with Mr. i inUMu .md
mr know hi ^ ii[)iniun npun tin* uhjrrt. { al m a L* d hu*.
Mr, (dintun that if hi’ thuupdil I was tun vmuu«/ ‘u if i*»“ d»-
nppuint nuntt td Minn* uthrr fmanl Im Imuld im r-ulcui i
uliuut sayinpr su, atid nii|.^h{ rr. { a unrd that ! wnuht hr pru
laiisfind. Mr. Ivikrr infuriurd mn ut uma* th.if Mi.
anxiuttsly lirsirutiN id' my appuiutnnmt , and a !u*d m.* t*t ut
nhjri’iiuu.s tu ImvinijC tnv nann* plan’d hiduu* thr ( mI” \p|
mimt. An Kxtra nH*ntin^ uf that Inaly wa nullrrl to idl thr c
in Ihn snmim’r uf Isl'i, and a frinml, Unhaid llilru wuh lu.
sent, callt'd un and hruurhi’d tin- uhjrrt t»i Aldruaui tidi«
Iradiiiii’ mrinhiT uf (In* (kuiui’d, ami a pailirular fi imd of Mr.
‘MiiUUimn IlUtlr.fh. Mf .ImIucCmaj* W * J
39
AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF MARTIH YAH BURBH.
on.^ My friend found him reserved and indisposed to c()nv(‘rse
arther on the subject than courtesy required. Inferring from the
eport of this conversation that Mr. Clinton had changed his views,
requested my friend to return at once and inform Gilbert that
wished my name to be considered as withdrawn.
When I saw the appointment of Thomas Addis Emmet an-
ounced I was confirmed in the correctness of my inference, and
L’om that moment to the meeting of the Legislature for the choice
f Electors I received no explanation either from Mr. Clinton or
fr. Kiker. Knowing the friendly relations existing between Mr.
;1 inton and Mr. Emmet, and sensible of the paidialitj^ for lam on
le part of our Irish citizens, I would at the latest moment have
:)nsGnted to the appointment of Mr. Emmet if IMr. Clinton had
iformed me of his wishes, but I felt injured by his silence.
After the Electors were chosen, in a manner and with a result
cry gratifying to him, Mr. Clinton asked me to spend the evening
nth him. Other visitors were denied admission, and whilst we
nre at tea he introduced the subject of the appointment to the
nice of Attorney General, and said he feared that I had thought
ardly of him in regard to it. I explained my feelings to him as
liave done above, and he then assured me in a very solemn man-
or that he had 210 agency, direct or indirect, in causing the ap-
ointment of Mr. Emmet. He admitted that from Mr. Gilbert’s
induct and from the fact that the Council were all Ins particular
riends, I had a right to draw the inferences I had drawn, but
aat they were nevertheless entirely unfounded. Although bound
^ believe from this explanation that Mr. Clinton had not himself
iken any part in the matter, I could not yet dismiss from my mind
ac impression that the affair had been so managed by some of
is friends as to produce the result without connecting him with it.
diis subject will again be noticed by me.
A brief relation of the interior history of a contest which ex-
ited great attention and effort at the time, and has iiever been
orgotten in the States may even now, not be witliout interest. The
riends of Mr. Clinton, in whom I confided and with whom I con-
Lilted, decided at the beginning to avoid throughout any inter-
ourse or arrangement with the federalists in regard to their
ourse. If we could get the vote of the state for him, without
ntering into or sanctioning a concerted coalition with them he
1 The members of the Council of Appointment were William W. Gilbert, of the southern ;
:>hanTios Bruyn, of the miclclie ; Henry Yatos, .Tnn, of the eastern; and Francis A. Blood-
)0d, of the western districts. “ This council was decidedly Clintonian ; but the party
icrees having i)cen carried into effect i)y the preceding council, little remained to be
3 no by this. Such appointments, however as were made, were made in accordance with
10 wishes and views of Mr. Clinton.” Hammond History of Political Parties in. the
tate of New York, I, 304. — W. C. P.
■I w
. \ .VJ I .i t J
. \ , 'I
i(, ir U<»U (lit* Iftan^T \u- iiIhauM! !«» u
(}\vii rt)Ur<t‘. All V a‘ ilr-ii'nl l \\\\ tn :i -I
l*’lt‘i’l (H’s lH*{‘nr(* tlu' jniiit ( ’( iti\ ml i<tn i‘i’ ili*’ iu" lu»ti r . «■! in** 1.'“'
la(iir(‘, in uIkjIi* (»r la pari { art*<>rj liinv 1“ ll*^’ .-h'lifai mI ih»‘ Man
.nnians) ra\iH‘al>h‘ (<> Mr. (’lintniu ami !»» it (“ tin* nl
llu' h'rtli'ralist wiiluaii r\planatii»n nr . nllfilai inn. i-iflirr
ip nr (n (*Ircl (lu’ir nwn, if thnv miiliP In tin* ai‘l nj {!t-^ M.nl;
;''(Hiia n.~\ (U* In uiaki* t lii'isr-rl \ rs a Matll; nniaii tirkrt aiul r]n»i taa*
1»V rninitiiiiiio’ thrir with llm r nf tlir fri^'mU nl Mi*. Ma*li nn.
( )n(' nf (hr r rniir r.s llirv wniihl hr nhlinial tn [nir-ta*. 1-1 a
uiajnri(\ in tlu* Smiatr n\rr hn'li Innlrrali t ^ am! Ma»li nnl.in . u’i«l
c»r rnlir r tlir pnwrr nf fnrininr. a-'> ur pira nl niir ni tltr !!•',.«-( tn
1m* stlhiuiUrd (n ihi* i*»inj <*nn V ‘nl inn. '1 lir |*‘r!lrrali l h.ri a ini
lar pri’pnndrramn* in thr InWnr Imh* r, ulth, t»l mm hkr pnri !•.
'Thi* pm'Stinii hrtwrrn u and thr Madi ntuau.: in rrn j- f f.. |h»*
rninpn: i t jf ui td’ tlii' hh'pnhlii'an d’irkrt r<iultl t*ldy hr «“t!lrd Hi t fU
rm-, wlirm Ur had a tlrriilsal uiajurilv tarr tlirun 1 hr ^
.Imlrn’ 'raylnf. alwav.: hrfni’r and nnu aftri' atriin ;t (Irntninm.
limtmli now warmly nppirrd tn liim, ua ;, nn my mnisnu. in i-l'
( ‘hairiuau nf tlu* ( ’am‘U . M r cdlri’rd at lamt {n ‘n\s’ thrm a p**. \ r,«?
n\' ilir { srki*{ ('tjual h» thrir prnpnrt inn nf rrpl'r rut it n $ . ;'ti t!i‘
I *rr i, hit lirr rnmparrd with niir , ami In idrrt t!.f I mkrt h\ nar
|nml \ntr. did!, tdlri* u a ; priimiptnt i|y amt prr r\rr;u‘'lv fu > 1.
and im prtipn:;it ir »n madt* in liril id it that liad r\rii a Ir u ni
j’airiir' : tn ruppnii it. ,\f(rr a wry jimt r;ui»Mi di ru am. and
uhrn it had hrrninr r\ idriit that rin ta|iii(aidr inmpr*»iii! r ‘‘rdd
hr tdfrrtrd, [ imArd that an imtirr (‘lintnnrin tirf.ti htmid hr
nnminatr'd. Tlir (’hairman ralh*d mr |n him and a krd nm!. *’
‘.f'rrat r\rilruirut uhrtlirr I intrndrcl pm* '• i in that m«-!rrs. I
rrplird I ‘rrl a itdy ! nnlr , thr Madiinuian . will :}rrr|4 nf ,i
innahlr pnliinu nf tin* tii’krt," I }»nn this llir \ rtri'.tn put li’- <
iarm* hrimmr.l hat tiiat \.‘a . lyim/ hy hi Mdi\ mi hi - hrad, rn fmm
tlu‘ rhaii' wUhniif atmtln'r wnrd tn (hr mrrtimy rallrd mit “ hrs. *
Ihiy!" in hi i rrrvanl, ami in a h'W mnmrnt ^ tlir jimdnm' * f hr.
* li*il»h hrils fintilird Ur: that hr Wti - oti lii‘- u av hmiir. Jud.'»r- Ifum
pliri‘y>. <d’ t)namhi*^a. was, uftri* a brief paiir*\ rallrd |n rh.' r'lrr.r,
atul my nmtinn ua atlnptrd hy a deridnl majnril^ affr-r v. hr h
matter- prn<'i*edr{l pniiMly to thei!- con .nmmaf inn. d un tu hrm
nnl\* u<*r<' hrfnn* tin* joint mertiny* of tin* tun hnu e , fii \ ^ . tl-
(dintnniau frnni the Smndty ami tin* h'etieral from thr Ihii* rri'
A rnddy; thr Madi.rmlan liriinv tlrlxm in a rtmire hrturru thrm.
.Many nf ihrm vidtn! blank halln(-\ ami .sninr thirty 4% mif nf j\t
MS. I, I
A!‘'rnlUiu;i: MMI V oK MAKTIX VAN V,V\\KS. 41
{i!U‘ ((ht‘ wIimK* nuuilMT nf iin‘ir uumuIhm’s) vutiul Inr our (ii’ki'i. and
rhniotl U.‘
r‘\ ri* m:iy lr)\i' t xiyliMl a.i^ainsl oiir suppori- of
Mr. (1 ini on, matt* ran, I {hink, hf madr a,u'aiir’( ila* maiuau* in whitth
nil!* > Irtiuajnnftl rtuirt.i* uas raia’ird («u(. W'l* tudrd n})on a pi’iuripk*.
lliat \\r tu l»r souiul, a\n\vrtl it optutlv and susitiiniul it.
linids. So fm* voTi' \\i‘ iVoui ini riy.uinn' with tht' l<\‘dor;iIisls, (hai
no rharf'o or im iniiaiion I hai tdiVid has rvor Iummi inaili'. (*V(*n
an’aln i intx u!in-;r wholr lift' ha:- hr(*n sinri* (‘lostdy cjuivtissud
lor nuditu* ; <d* arrnsaiinn hy an unliritiir throng' td‘ oppoiuMiis.
'Thr • r t ion liaviiii*’ Iu*un rallrd ha* ila^ pur*p()S('. of appoiniintr
MrritU' - tinly, no othrr lal^ila*^^^ wa/. dour. Altho' tin* ynuna'rsi
man, and mto of iht* younyt‘si mrml>rr:n id' ila^ hody, I was pljirtal
at tin' brad « d’ iln* t knnini j I rr in rrpori- liit‘ answtu* of I hi* Sunati*
to fhr Cnjv»*rnor': Sprrrh, whirh haviuo; i)rrn :u|opit*d and pi’i'si'nii'd,
(hr lavui iaturr adjoiirnril (o (hr l.-i <!ay <d’ daniiary lHi‘k
d'hrrr urn* ot Tnrrt nrr:; prior in dali*, Imi. romu'rird with ilirsc
i ran arf lior:, whirh from ihrir rr!a(i<a\ io di:;i inyidrdird individ
uai and ihr l)‘dd thi*y t h(‘d upon iht* pi’ivait* history of iht* linu‘S,
art* nol uilhoid itdrrr:.{. A .*:ln)r( iina* In'foi’r ihr ICxti’a sr'^'sion,
W'iHiam Kiui^ of Mainr, an rnin-pri* inn* and noi ovt'i* sri’Upnloiis
] ttd l( iriatt, \ i it rd Albany to t»rr\ail t»pon(hr frirnd:: o f M r. ( diid on,
it» \viibtlra\^ Id - nami* from ila* <'an\a s. lb* vrry naiiirtilly a<l
drt* -^rd bint rlf to rlmljn* Ambro:.r Sprnrrr, (bt* broiht*r in law of Mr.
i 'Union, ami io Judyr d'avlm’, an am irni frinnl and adbrrt‘id. <d’ his
fainilw *rhr*.»» fn‘jd Irmr’i atldrt*.’- rd a Irilrrio Mr. Kikrr, ad visiny; a.
rtanplianrr uilh i!a* ninvu' lion id’ Mi\ ivlny. 'PIm* atlvirr was o:ood
i»n( batlly rt*rri\rtl Ity Mr. Clinton wlm rt*pirdt‘d Kinij:a’> an rmi: sary
of ihr Administ rai ton ai \\*a: hin^iion, st^ni io lampt'r wiili liis.
frii^ml anti btM’anit* ituli.^piniti ai ibis t*vitlt‘nrr of hi^•. sur(‘t‘:is. li is
f|uiir rt^riain that Mr, Mailison know noihin^r of iin* alFair, and (lio
tnis‘’don, nn).*-i probably, bad its ori;Ldn in Mr. Kin/Lr's passion for in
iri^nm, stimn]ai(*d by (hr hopt* of itmrrasinijf his in(bn*tirr with tin*.
Atimlnisi tad iott,
'rhc‘ ^C\nu*riran Citi'/.rn'' a nt'wsptipt*!* tbt‘n t‘di(rd by \\'iirni!n
lairins dost*, attti prrvittUsIy by ilu* mon* fanmn daim‘s ('brt*ibnm,
afirt* Ibr Iriirr lo Ilikn*, rommriirt‘<I a ;t‘rir:: (d* pnnm‘td am! wt*ll
u rilii*!! aMark:^ upon dmlyr S[>rm'(*r, (‘nliilrtl ihr "" .Xmlirosiad."' Iti
iiiC’st* lb(* Jinlm*' (*arly lib* ott hi; fatbt*r's buan al Anrram, was,
with iMht‘r ma{it‘r.s lampotmrd iit Mr. tdirdotds hap|dr‘d slyh*. 1
impprnt'd io 1 m‘ ai (hr iitm* aiii*m!iny; a d\n*iu of (hr Suprruu* Court.
: . Uituiiuuua. Ui It.r;, uf rulUli a! I'iU’Un in tljt’ of SvW V»>rk. i,
W. i‘. K.
%
a:.n.
at ifew York, and lodged at the same house ^ with the Judge and
General John Armstrong, then Secretary of War under Madison,
who had been Judge Spencer’s early and constant friend, ‘^^iid was
supposed to have been instrumental in inducing him to secede^ irom
the Federal ranks. The General had been quite as constant in ms
enmity to Mr. Clinton, and was the conceded author of a
attacking his private character, in which, he referied to the lu iic
of his countenance” as indicating the Deity he adored ! ” and to liis
friends as the ‘^Brotherhood of hope” — ; a pamphlet that shenmd
by its talent and bitterness that the pen that had indited the “ Isew-
biirgh letters” at the close of the Revolutionary War, had lost none
of its pungency or venom. His disposition was eminently pugna-
cious, and he did not attempt to conceal either his satisfaction at
the rupture between the distinguished brothers-in-law, oi’ his indis-
position to apjiease the qiiari’el.
The fourth number of the “Amhrosiad” was announced for the
next day. Seeing the extent to which the JmW^was annoyed by
these provoldng Aiticles, and regretting, in common ivitli most of
our political friends, the schism that had arisen between two of our
strongest men, I visited Mr. Clinton in the evening in the liope of
being able to prevent its appearance. He received me kindly, but
■was at first very reserved in his conversation. I found no diffi-
culty ill attributing this unusual circumstance to an apprehension
that he had offended me in the aflair of the Attorney Generalship,
and a consequent belief that I "was no longer his friend — an impres-
sion doubtless greatly strengthened by the fact of my intimacy -with
Spencer and Armstrong. I introduced the subject of the Presi-
dential election fii^t ; assigned the reasons by which I was influenced,
as I have done here, expressed my regret that the Republican inein-
liers had placed him in the position he occupied, but closed with an
avowal of my determination to sustain him in the contest, and to vote
for Electors favourable to him. He was evidently both disappointed
and gratified by my coniinunication, listened readily to what I had
to say upon the subject that occasioned my visit and spoke of it •with-
out reserve, save only that he professed entire ignorance of the Au-
thor of the “Ambrosiad,” This I w^as satisfied he did not expect
me to believe. He assured me that I was mistaken as to Judge
Spencer’s regi'et at the separation, — ^tliat he had with his eye open
and to subserve his own personal ends gone into the support of Mr.
Madison, and had it not. in his power to return. I did not concur
in that opinion, but urged strongly the inutility of these attacks upon
either supposition, and earnestly invoked his interference for their
a A popular boarding bouso kept by Mrs. Keese, on the north corner of Broadway and
"Wan Streets.
AUTOBIOGHAPSCY op Maktiw VAK BXJREN. 43
ippression. At this stage of our conversation his friend Preserved
ish, entered, remained a short time, and left ns under the iinpres-
on that we desired to be alone; Mr. Clinton followed him out of
le room, and remained out some minutes. On his retinm I rose
) depart when he referred again to the subject, repeating much of
hat he had said in regard to the state of Judge Spencer’s mind, but
spressed a hope that Mr. Rose might be induced to suspend the
ublication of the “Ambrosiad ” at least long enough to satisfy me
lat there was no use in forbearance. He said this in a way" that
onvinced me that he had commissioned Mr. Fish to procure such
suspension. On the following morning there was of coutse much
Liriosity to see the “Citizen,” and Mr. Ross’- of Rewburgh, a State
lenator, and a friend ta both Clinton and Spencer went to the
Sarber’s shop — ^that immemorial news market — for that purpose.
Ve were all assembled at breakfast when he returned ° and he was
nmediately interrogated as to the contents of the “Citizen.” He
pplied that the promised ninnber was not in it, or alluded to. Arm-
;rong promptly demanded “ Wlrat is in it? ” and on being told that
lie jpaper contained Riker’s answer to Judges Spencer and Tay-
3r, which was very severe, exclaimed “Ah! only a change of dish!
Hood policy that! Tomorrow w-e shall have the “Ambrosiad”
gain!” TJpoir this Judge Spencer said -noth emphasis and con-
iderable formality that it was quite immaterial whether the abusive
rticle did or did not appear-, as Mr. Clinton had already gone too
ar to make his future course of any cqnsecpience in regard to their
lersonal relations. It never occurred to me to speak to Mr. Clinton
pon the subject during the short period of our subsequent intimacy
lut I never doubted that some one of the company at the table, which
/as numerous, "informed him of Judge Spencer’s observation. The
uspended number appeared a few days afterwards and was fol-
owed by articles from the same pen, published at Albany as well
s New York, in which the Judge’s feelings were cruelly lacerated,
rhese were in turn resented by him in verbal denunciations of un-
qualed harshness. In this way a furious warfare between them
vas kept up for about three years disgraceful to their peraonal re-
ations and in the highest degi-ee discreditable to political contro-
-ersy.
Mr. Madison was elected to the Presidency by a large majority; a
esult well calculated to call into vigorous action the energies of the
:ountry and to show to the enemy that the War was national. The
lispositions of nearly all the Republican members of the Legisla-
ure were in favor of aiding the Federal Government in support of
he War by all the means in their power. The course of the federal
1 Willi fim Ross.
“ MS. I, p. 60.
iniijorily in it*’* " ■ ! \
luu'oiiiprdniisiuy. n . . ' *
All l|()pt‘S ‘»r |n‘;l»'r * .i ^
was ill want nf iiaMU . •
j)j’t‘s(‘tiU‘<| itsrh , an I a i * •
ino' a Inim l»y (lif Siar** t « ^ /
Dollars, wliifh 1 \ ' ■ -
Lawis ami Kr:i>tu.- lo»*n 5 *“' * >■' '
(he St‘ua(r I'y a pan> . .a
ill I 111 ' lowin’ I Inu i*. '1 Ijr i’ '
in l'('Sj)l ‘(1 (o OMTV liOM O!',' ^
of Iho War. 'lltr r n-l!r iri.
Ix'lwaon thr ( wn I lou »• , a
.soiitcil hy ( oinniittta- , ♦ hi» •
I'ljcc (»!’ luuliitudi' ttf i't -'r I
of i lu' ( ’ouiinitiof »*u ili>' j ? c ■
hall's ill no in ianr<' pr-Mia. » t ^
ilu'V (sxiMit'i! a u*rv ti n o !
iVi'linp*; of (la* nanoin'i , .t - ■ .
Iii.n'lily oxriti'il. ihi *oi»- • * ■ J
and [vi'|)iil»liran Si iiaf*n i!.
closi' of 11 ) 3 ’ jn'fi'li, a*- i > o ^ - ;
IvisM'tl ini', anil ih.ml.t « 1 o . : *
(\anuii((i'o of (ho Ivop'ii.! ^ it. \
lui'iil (ho ^amo ovonni** n*! • •
which I coiihl um{ iti%r . I
noicsand had no( liino u* v. : ^
'I'lu' Ihiuk of Aunii !, ; '
|>l’C\'ioi!s M';-,>ion, IM*U :!p|d . ; n -
sliplllall'd |o \rA\ lu lie- Sf iU\ i
Ilian ilicy could aiturd f., p.. ; .
for (he (’hartcr, from Uc- i - ' v.
.snhj(‘c( j»!‘odllCcd ;l \ lM|r |0 h
in (he Scindc wa-, fur ;t taor. j
a iiiolion I liiid inadi' f<u i: u t
fell hack on hi- ^>cnt fium uu ' ^
lorccd lo adjourn, ( ht tin* hda. -
infonnaiion id' (he i le.ilh -f ( Imo:
(ion lo aKeiiil hi {iiujumI. t h:.
days, durinn* whii'h tun.' ih- ’-/t;
cnoiiii’l) fo nnilo- ihc pa a** • .-i ? .
' in-rir) \V. c {'
'■ I innii'l I'ai ri:^. \\\ r, j ,
•' S»M‘ Humiiuiuil, III Mr
VV. C.
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1 ; : 1 ' V ! ,i»M I h;i 1 1 Vut »M i lor
r . ' » It ■ . t « o ? i M? ! f t dt*
> ^ !• ‘ihlr \ in lltrir
- * - ' . ’ 1 , t'd in rtiiiun' ;ii ImU
1 -• M- t Imnni. ;i|»pri r*l Inm
'O’, r , 1 \ Hi f U li.it I
* » i 5 o »n *4 Mr, K iin»’ 1 »\
* ‘ ^ li , U’l !•» tlir :.n jiiriun nf
s,4 * , i.i- { r’ l»romr rd tliriu
* .* ^ 4. - i . »4'' nt fa Vnr l*’r
. . I I 5 :‘ui i,, ;i 1, lii art i VI*.
a 3. j Uit . \ Ir rouiMirrrd w it U
» * >1 a h ^ t •*[ f on f I a* I at rt
♦ . o ‘a ^.1 ! nrm nrr I !ial inV
‘ ‘1 iiHrUtiou t»i tUr .ai!»
. o, .ui ii>»\ n\d\ . at I. til'd nf
■>'{ f »•] »r* »:!• h. dll lurmr.i*
a, ,* 4! a . i rn !id , I in l* !»• lUV
> . >■ : a. i! » ‘M *4 J i.nir \\ , \\ dlutt
; Ml . ( anna? *nd fir* t liainnaii
, 4 4 ^ r a >>\ 4r»n4 noiiilnati’d t‘ r
- : • H ■ > ri . n r i.’/i I loU • r\ «*rV
? n t a ■ I ‘ M ^ j i : 1 1 5 ? » ■ d Mr. \\ s I K u t .
, . 1 1 3t lu I la- I r
. irju- \ Mr Km*/ and tin*
a aa ' , -uiHp-ina-d in juint iJM'nt
»,ii I .(L I 'a- .1 ‘t alt riif luraaNl i‘ * irirud
. I,. V *11.4 lud i*. arri.iup-m.^ Inm
, « n ^ ’ .O' ' nr' hi !H I ■ » i »**
. f , . . > : • ! i\ 1 a m rd hun
• , • ' ' ; ' ■ - 5 ”dn . n*' h‘i*d%
, ■ i .! and I >*»tt
, , . . I a rnfi* III - hallnt aud
j .. 4 l.it '. a.ri'r foiHtlrd ll Up
. i h.n >' V. a ■■ ifninrdiMtidy u
.. . i,.-.. : nr. in thr
,. 4 . I hn kiup. Kiriv. iur tin* in -
JL \J
(iniai’y tlirtf Inul 1“ ’
nnlly'suspi'clt'd I wa- .-at . • • •
fcavod ilu'V would ar(. W ?’■
Mr. Clinton npiu’ouoht^d tor i- 1 ^ \
tain ilin suspicion you vpuLr tii.
ho oxprossial his sat islnct ifUt. 1 th* ti ^ j :
you uHist not' niisuiutrr laud mo. M -
victions. I know that the mm I j-* % I >
dood.” Ho n'])li(‘d, undcrcvulrnt i x. s» ’ V ^
thorn o'roat injttslico; ami ut fh.ti r -r? t'
him lliat tltoy were waitiim^ !.:s . i" ^ .* -
tho eliair, ]nad(' his IJrporf, and a>!.no:r!tr.>
NothiujUf rurtluT pa.*- rd ^r{v«rv^. ^
which had hemi appointril Tmt ' • t'
tlio nominatioti of (’andidatr. f'<r t -
tenant- (Jov(‘rnoi\ when at a hi.- f ^ s- ’
roforivd t(^ (lit* hiisim* .w <>f thr^ ru-n r: tl
Avould he. dout*. 1 Inld hoa .lO X*'‘ ; *
Judfi;o Taylor in his pl;e*o a U > a. « i i
(piiry as to my <»piniuu nf thn rr .!r .. ■.
l-liat/ it was my iiiftmtitm, if la- dio a- • -
for a. re-noiiiinatiom hut (ha? 1 fa*. ‘ '
from the pri'valent feelinn’ in fir* pj^t -. ^ ^
upon which he asketl {pnrkl\ u!.» !h> t 1 v.. . ■
(.ion of d^iylor. 1 an uerrd, a. y- ■ » '
fairly made." After a imuurm' |m'. « . ' ... i
mo, and rosunuMi (la^ (‘hair. I’l-^r; rhit . . . ■ .
i(*a.l fri(*nds, alt hoNair prr. m?.al 1 rl.if *•!. u>. '
and kind and eontinuetl .i» nil hr. ! ; ?
p:roat< deal of feelim^ rsluiufrd; :i.ii ap: u.*'« ‘
paii'< of tlu* luaj(H*i(y to Voi** areun ? h; r.'S-; '
.r could .sets a iUnmeruI tli- pc» itiMn Pi hi ts.. . ?
willniut. «^i\un/j: uniiet't*N-.:irymUlro 1 - ^
■indiiuul to mtjve in the maftm*. \i ha -eh . r a
the jointi nomination tjf domnhn.r. u-^-i J a,* • h'.
ornor and the. last, ftjv laeut iU^^ ruin \ th-
eompaniod by any remarks I i f., '
mysoll', which I did in ii slwa-rh of if»ji ad*’? */' r.
listened to with interest ami rervi\rd v.^ih k r-P.-
the dksat.i.sfaet ion that ptv\ailrd k .mi ruik "
recent appointment of .Sumfur, ndunWrd i!,,.? i,,.
the vSuhjV.oC. 1 ttdt. oldimsl \n rom-ui- m ^
mhwith.staiitliiip^ hpnii.rhj. mv nun m isi tt. .
^ HoiO! rare*- mul Oorr»‘Mpuiu!»-i}ri ..r Uuf'i v U.rr * *■
\ ^
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' / i» I 4 ®
47
AUTOBIOGRAPHY OP MARTUST VA^^ BURElSr.
would be expedient in view of the condition of the country and of
the honorable position that Mr. Clinton had lon^^ occiipie’d in the
party to tender him a renoniination ; that I would do this under
a full conviction that Mr. Clinton would not accept the nomination
unless he was sincerely desirous to act with us in the future ; that
our party was powerful and had always been magnanimous: that
I would be oTatified if a majority of the meeting should concur with
me in these sentiments, but that if I wavS so unfortunate as to ftiil
in this, I would support cheerfully and heartily the candidate of
their choice. I then moved to substitute the name of jMr. Clinton
for that of Judge Taylor. I was followed by the gallant Gen.
I^eavenworth, of the Assembly, who, tho’ a law-paitner and warm
friend of Gen. Root, who was at that time a leader of the opposi-
tion to Clinton, supported my motion in a very impressive speech.
JTc appieciated and applauded the grounds on which I had proposed
the re-noinination, and sustained them with a zeal and earnestness
that obtained for him credit and a kind reception from all present.
My recollection is very distinct of the favorable impression made
upon me by the absence of an^dhing like violent attack upon ilr.
Clinton. Upon the ballot Mr. Clinton I'eceived sixteen votes, and
Taylor thiity two. Tompkins and Taylor were then nominated, and
a Committee having been appointed to prepare an Address to the
People, I was made Chairman and wrote the Address.^ It contained
a full review of the matters in controversy between Great Britain
and ourselves, and was extensively published at the time and after-
wards and very well received by the public. Judge Spencer in the
warmth and I should add in the excess of his admiration called it
a second Declaration of Independence.
The Federalists nominated Stephen Van Rensselaer for Governor
and James Huntington for Lieut. Governor. A number of Mr.
Clinton’s prominent friends, including such names as those of Gen-
erals German and Van Courtlandt came out with an address in
which they severely censured the administration of Mr. Madison,
and protested against the support of Tompkins. ISIy course on the
occasion caused a final political separation between my early friend
John C. Hogeboom and myself. He was a clear headed and strong
minded man, and always an ardent friend of Mr. Clinton, who cor-
dially reciprocated his regard. He had taken an early interest in
my success, and I fortunately had it in my power to make him ample
returns for his friendly offices before his death. We had a warm
correspondence upon the subject of supporting Tompkins which
ended in a settled difference of opinion. When he saw that I was
designated to write the Address, he came to Albany to dissuade me
^Tlie aiitoi?raph draft of this Address is in tho Van Biiren Papers in. the lAhniry of
Congress under date of ISIS, March.
ttu
from iloiiijix iu i '
ill fuvor <)(' 'rtHiiplviii - :i ^ * ’ ■
Hint liad so lon;^* *
uiul Hint ;i pr(»{u‘r iv.spr.1 !-?■ ? .*
t.ion, if not ( li:i( of :! ^
I iissiinut him lliat ih'itr^-r ^
,stro]i<j:*ly limn my-olf io iv: n.i • . t
not allow llirm (o ouof o ^ ».
ilu'. siipj'oi’t of doMiphui’. v,.i r- *
CIHIS(\ I was U if h :t!i : . ■
all my (‘ruo'yitvs ^hMlllii I'r ^ - •
ijimnri's. S(Mm)<a* tlmt Ik* »’nKl ^ ^ '
(It’l('rmiti(‘(l (o pinvaua ho h-fi ^ • ; o
wi(h romiiKMUH'd a uarhnr
])()liiir‘.s, (hal laN(od fnr o
hrolhoi* ]ia\ inri* inarriod lo d ■ 'r:
malidy hrouKhj. lijnj |m i !<■ h • ? *
ro('i[)ro<‘a(('d and oiir* [Ki'.HrD.- :-; u
friimdly during* Id Hh*.
1 was wt‘ll auaro of thr
dinlon for rtooliMi i..!) t.» th- ‘ . . 1
(^(lillions 1 fhro oi-o ?? • f
aiipoiihnmni of Senator, us d ^ * u * .
in^'.ssdf fo liavi« ri’“'fp. rd frn’. > ,
tachmaids and tho divud mI 1.
an old frit-nd, and a in m
poliliral forinnr had, 1 uui h. i. • :
my (•(Mii*st» (hail jmliiio.d ja ti,--
than a pi’opar ;ii‘lf I V [hkI. d h d,
ral friend in ailvm' ity hm. i--. o ; .id :
lias Inam slnmirf Inmod in teud ..f i...
conlrary dispf; if if»ii on iIk* mi -
pee((‘d het(er fldm/ . 1 .auHoa in:i;y ^
Mr. (dinlou hiimolf i-utrivd o,, I j.
umU'rstnmrm^^ with tin* ld‘d..r.tl ? , ^
liad, ai. ihi^ iiiUi' no (hmla ihui, ni ?!;»' ? ,■
loss of (ho Presitl(m(inl eieetiuii I .jd ■ o-
uppanml. hoi>eles' lu-.; of hi. ,,
pnblirun Ihiiiy, he MiilVred, h^ imt
cuml. mimher of hi- friend tu. dr.eu.- t' .
prolessi'd ioaef.and lo turn the eh** tue, % \
nammomP (hiid*. (hm ih,* .
promised (0 (he Kn<lerali ( 'PPm.:, ViP
Ooun. ;t; n. . ' S,
AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF MARTIST VAX BURex. 49
the Bank of America, to promote the passage of its cliartor It is
very possible that the Federalists, altho’ they would have supported
that bill m any event, imposed this tribute upon the agents. Thomas
was a man ot great address, and very unscrupulous. " He nriv have
managed the whole affair without letting Mr. Clinton know anv-
thing about It. The supposition is not in harmony with cotemjio-
raneous and following events— but may notwithstanding be true. In-
structed by a subsequent disclosure (applicable also to Mr. Clinton)
how easy it is to be mistaken in similar matters, I pass from the
object without expressing or even entertaining a decided opinion
in regard to it.^
The election of 1813 fortunately continued in his place the patri-
otic Tompkins but the federalists again succeeded in obtaining a
majority in the House of Assembly. We were therefore doomeif to
struggle thro’ another session ivithout the ability to render any essen-
tial aid to the iiublic cause. The indecorous violence of their answer
to the Governor’s speech (then the authentic exponent of party
feelings) and of their speeches in support of it, exceeded those of the
hist session. They perseveringly refused to concur in any measure
designed to support the war, and the session wore away in unavailing
efforts on our part to strengthen the national arm, and in public
conferences, in which the People took an increased interest, and
which, tho’ still fruitless in the Legislature, had a happy effect in
preparing tho public mind for the election of 1814. The spirit that
actuated our opponents in the Assembly governed also the action of
the same party in Congress, and in most if not all the State Legis-
latures, but most violently in the Eastern States. There matters
were apparently in rapid progress which would tender to the Fed-
eral Government the alternative of a discreditable peace or a separa-
tion of the Union. It is believed that the subsequent peace alone,
the news of which met the agents of the Hartford Convention on
their way to Washington, saved that section 'from the full develop-
ment of a treasonable design.
This humiliating state of things was discouraging to the sup-
porters of the War, but they did not despair. To remove as far as
possible the general gloom, a meeting was called of the members of the
Legislature,® the Republicans of Albany, and those from the country
who might then be at the seat of Govemment. It convened at the
Capitol on the evening of April 14th 1814, and was well attended,
altho’ I can never forget the painful anxiety and apparent de.spond-
^ Clinton, liowevei’, did conduct an intrigue ^vitll the Federalists in New York and in
other States. The story is told in the memorandum printed in Life and CorrespSnd-
once of Rufns King, V, 2G4 and subsequent pages. Some additional facts an*^givon m
Hammond, History of Political Parties in the State of New York, I, olo. W. C. F.
“ MS. I, p. 70.
127483°— VOL 2—20 4
50
AMERICAlSr HISTORICAL ASSOGIATIOH.
ency visible on the countenances of those who composed it. I en-
deavoured to revive their spirits and rekindle their confidence in a
speech of considerable length. Whilst speaking I was struck with
the excited countenance of a strrjiger to me, wearing a fur cap and
not distant from me in the crowd. Wlien I closed, he took off his
cap and wdthout moving from his position, made a speech which by
the remarkable sweetness of his voice, the . grace and ease of his elo-
cution, and the sanguine and inspiriting character of his remarks
produced a thrilling effect upon the meeting*. I soon ascertained
that this was Peter K. Livingston, the son-in-law of Chancellor Liv-
ingston, who had that evening arrived in Albany as the Chancellors
agent to oppose Governor Ogden’s petition to the Legislature.
I thanked liim heartily for his opportune and effective speech, and
have not suffered the favorable impression he made upon me that
night to be effaced by his subsequent unfriendly dispositions. As
soon as he closed I oft'ered a series of Resolutions, wdiich were passed
hy acclamation, and the meeting broke up in excellent spirits.
I give a few brief extracts from the Resolutions to shew the
temper of the time, and the plainness of speech by which it was
characterized :
At tliis interestinji; period of our National Affairs, wlien onv ?;overument is
combating with a wily, vindictive, and sanguinary foe ; when domestic disaffec-
tion and foreign partialities present their callous fronts at every corner and
when tlie present hopes and future prospects of the people of New York arc
to he tested, by the exercise of the elective franchise, — at a period of such
anxiety and solicitude this meeting composed of citizens from almost every
section of the State take the liberty of pubUcly expressing their sentiments on
the subject.
That “ evex'y difference of opinion is not a difference of principle ” — that on
the various operations of government witli 'which the public welfare are
connected an honest difference of opinion may exist — that when tliose cliUvr-
ences are discussed and the iirinciples of contending parties [sought to bej arc
supported with candor, fairness and moderation, the very discord which is
thus produced, may in a government like ours, be conducive to the public
good — we cheerfully admit.
But that when on the other hand, the opposition clearly evince, that all their
clamors are the result of predetermined and immutable hostility that, as
between their ovni government and the open enemies of the laud, they dare,
as circumstances may require, miblushiugly justify excuse or palliate the
conduct of the latter and falsify, calumniate and condemn that of the
former; when too in the means which are used to effect such unhallowed
purposes, they are alike indifferent to the salutary provisions of the Constitu-
tion, to the requisitions of national interest, or the obvious dictates of national
honor — ^that at such a time it is the duty of every sound patriot, to do his
utmost to arrest their guilty career, and to rescue from their aspiring grasp
his ‘bleeding country — no good man will deny.
- To prove that such has been the conduct, and that such are and have been the
view^ of the party in this country which styles itself Federal — that their
50
AMERICAlSr HISTORICAL ASSOCIATIOK.
cncy visible on the countenances of those who composed it. I en-
deavoured to revive their spirits and rekindle their confidence in a
speech of considerable length. Whilst speaking I was struck with
the excited countenance of a stranger to me, wearing a fur cai3 and
not distant from me in the crowd. Wlien I closed, he took ofi his
cap and without moving from his position, made a speech which by
the remarkable sweetness of his voice, the grace and ease of his elo-
cution, and the sanguine and inspiriting character of his remarks
produced a thrilling effect upon the meeting. I soon ascertained
that tills was Peter E. Livingston, the son-in-law of Chancellor Liv-
ingston, who had that evening arrived in Albany as the Chancellor’s
agent to oppose Governor Ogxlen’s petition to the Legislature.
I thanked him heartily for his opportune and effective speech, and
have not suffered the favorable imiiression he made upon me that
night to be effaced by his subsequent unfriendly disiiositions. As
soon as he closed I offered a series of Eesolutions, which were xiassed
by acclamation, and the meeting broke up in excellent spirits.
I give a few brief extracts from the Eesolutions to shew the
temxier of the time, and the xilaiimess of speech by which it was
characterized ;
At this interesting period of oiir National .Affairs, when oiir goveniinent is
combating with a wily, vindictive, and sanguinary foe; when domestic disaifec-
tion and foreign imrtialities present tlieir callous fronts at every corner and
•when tlie present hopes and future proBj)ects of the people of New York are
to be tested by tlie exercise of the elective franchise, — at a period of such
anxiety and solicitude tliis meeting composed of citizens from almost every
^section of the State take the liberty of piibUcly expressing their sentiments on
tlie subject.
That “every difference of opinion is not a difference of principle'’ — that on
the various operations of government with which the public welfare are
connected an honest difference of opinion may exist — that when those differ-
ences are discussed and the principles of contending parties [sought to> bej arc
supported with candor, fairness and moderation, the very discord which is
thus produced, may in a government like ours, be conducive to the public
good — we cheerfully admit.
But that wlien on the other hand, the opposition clearly evince, that all their
clamors are the result of predetermined and immutable hostility that, as
between their own government and the open enemies of the land, they dare,
as circumstances may require, unblushingly justify excuse or palliate the
conduct of the latter and falsify, calumniate and condemn that of the
former; when too in the means which are used to effect such unhallowed
purposes, they are alike indifferent to the salutaiy provisions of the Constitu-
tion, to the requisitions of national interest, or the obvious dictates of national
honor — that at such n time it is the duty of eveiy sound patriot, to do his
utmost to arrest their guilty career, and to rescue from their aspiring grasp
his ‘bleeding country — no good man will deny.
' To prove that such has been the conduct, and that such are and have been the
view^ of the party in this country which stydes itself Federal — that their
At’'r(»iW(i<;uArM V of .maifpin . juun-iN.
51
** h,is((U'y is n Iiisfory oT i'rpt*ai(Ml injnrl<‘s ;mrJ usiirimt ioiu; all luniufj: Inr
(luMi* liIir<M’tj <‘l(hi‘r lht‘ “1‘ *!»<' ri^lils auil inliMH'Sls af lluar
i-niiud’y (ti lu'i* ant’i(‘ni ainl uiio'asln!.? loi', or a hast' nrt»slil ut ion <H Us rail'
faiiK' ft*!’ s(‘ltish anti amlbiioiis purposes " ItM lants Ix^ siiImuIKimI (o an in-
li'llPaMU arul patrlotif p(‘opU‘.'’
'rii<‘ir oiiposiiPtji Tor llu‘ Iasi: thirlntai yts-irs, lias bntMi universal, inallLUianl;
and iinet‘asin.a‘ : liu'lr oppt)sl(it»n was etpuilly vlriileni. \vlu*n tail* eouniry was
haskina: In Iht' sunsbiiu' of unparalltdial jn’nsptU’Hy, as 1( lias betai while Ian*
imlilii'al Inn’izon has btaai ol».senred liy llu* eloutls of advtM'sPy:
'IMh\v opjinst'tl llu‘ aludlKiiii oT Idin^M anilj lnl«a‘iuil la.\t^s wiitMi tliost' piKt'S
were rtaulei't'd m!n(‘et‘ssary by (In* general pr<»spt»rlly «d’ I In* eouniry: llit’y
op}jest‘d (be i^upnsllion ol’ I lie saiui* !aN<*s wli<»u llndr iiaposillon b(‘eaiae
ne('e‘^.sa^y to (in* inalnliaiauei* of our Nadonal lienor:
They (J(>P<>s<‘(I (lie redneliou oC (lie Xallonal <l<*b(, wlnai (In* uu‘ans ol' lls
reduelinn wtM’t* In (lu* power of lln* aovtuainuaU : lln*y oppost'd (In* Inert'ase of
(lii‘ 'iafi«>nal <U‘b(, wiien i(s ineriant*, or an aliandoium'iil oT i'Vt*ry a((ril)Ult* o('
a ifee p('eph*, batl beeiane our only allenial i v(* : lbt\v elaiuoi’t'tl iiuieh on
aeeouni ol' I lu' ai‘:iMM*ssions on <uir eonun«‘rei* by iht' belllyertuits, and (lu‘ir
Merehauts prestaded. ptailloii al’P'r in*ti(ion, and ununorlal al’ler nn‘in«trlal, lo
t'onr.ri‘ss, that (bey sboultl vindiealt* our eoiniiuu'elal rlidda: (hoy havt* unb
lorinly ealunmialed and oiJpesed (*v»*ry nit'asun* id’ I In* js<»veruinenl ad«ip(i‘d
for (Indr \iinlieallon or support: iliey op])osed (and evatli'dl all eoiiuutu’ebd
res( i-li’l i»»ns on Un* nreutnl of (heir budlle.n'y, and lliat war, and wai* aliim*
war; the pi'iiper i‘oursi‘ (or |j:ovt‘nuuent li> ptirsin*, and on Ibis subjiM‘1 iln*y
1 riumpbani ly ileidarejl ’Mlial (In* Aihninls! rat Itui (‘tiiiltl not bt* kit‘Ut*d hdo a
war": they tijjpiiseil tin* war when i( was tieelared on Iht* ra’otnal that it was
bnji'dide, unjust, ami uniu’ei^ssary ;
'Ptii'y have always elainn’il (o bt» the I’rltunis of (U’dtM* amt (bt* eonstllut h»n,
and as .'Uteb rrlends td’ or»li*r ami llu* eoust j| iit hm, (heir <(p(iosl( i<»n (o f’o't*rn
nieid, in the prtrx'eut ifUi td' tile prest'iil just, ami nt*ei*ssar.v war. ha^^ Immmi
t'haraf tei'i'/iMl by nets «d’ vl<denet*, tlt*nd*m*raey amt dt*pravHy witluad a pandhd
in (he ld.’d(»ry of any etvlllr.ed {^tweriuneid (Ui t*arth.
d’i» eiiuim'rale (bt* various nets with wldeh tin* (Vidimus td' (la* Amerleao
petipie iiuM' biM‘U wounded ami Insidleil, tin* oeeasbui will m»l athnlt of: bet
Ihi-ir uiiisi prendni'Ut aels lheri*lore, bt* ahmt* eonNhlt‘reil. Wtilh* (lit* |un
di\ld(‘d| eoiutiined pow'er td’ tin* enemy and ids saNar,'e alli<*s has bet'ii «llreett‘d
aealie! ns, and our froutlt'rs drenelii*d with bh»tnt <d' umdVemlliiiv w‘om(»;i amt
ehdilren, the undividetl pow(*ra td’ (bt* o]*P’*^’5lh»n bavt* Iumui e\t*rttMl
'I'd desirtiy all etuditleuet* belwtam Iht* pt‘oplt* and (ht'ir pivt*rimn‘n( .
d’o ndNrt*prest‘n( the latter, and to th'eelvt*, <l!s(ra<*l and enjolt* da* fitrmer.
'Po ileprive (be Keverninenl id' Iht* two ureal Hlm*w^:o^ war men and imuiey :
preveniina enlis(im‘nlH by disefaintt*nanebur ami ealinnniatim': bnib oilleers ami
fuddiers
lad'eatlnu Iht* neet‘ssary loans', by al leinpl Inu (o .shaKe Ma* eordldeiiee <d’ llu*
jicoph* m da* idaldlily of da* m'Vt*rinneni :
d’it I’t'ialer tlie war otlhais ami nnp<»pdlar
Uy (la* natsl da-'rant pervt'rsloirt td’ da* mailers In eoni rovt^rsy, ami da*
]trt*! etisinns id’ tair ut)V»*rnna*ul ;
dy the na»^^l erlndind Jusdneal Itm td’ Ibt* emaluel ttf llu* t*m*in,v ami Ibtt
vllesl e\ leiuiat itm td’ all da*ir eiaUMidlles;
'I'o ftarali’/e I la* arm <d' Ibe ut»vernment ami rriuidt*n die \vi‘aU^ and llmlti
from its .'Uipperl
lly i*\elllnu Insurrot'liou ami rebt*llltin In da* t*asi ;
52
amekigan’ historical association.
By openly threatening a dissolution of the union, and laboring incessantly
to sow the seeds of Jealousy and disunion between the northern and southern
states; and
Bv exercising in each state the same unworthy means as are practised by
them throughout the union.
For while in this State they profess great solicitude for the sufferings of our
citizens on the frontiers; they have iuveterately opposed the raising a volunteer
corps for their defence unless under the disgraceful stipulation, — that they
shall not annoy the enemy — while also they seek to hide the deformity of their
conduct in relation to our army, by professing attachment to the naval service;
we find them opposing, with disgusting violence, a bill to encourage privateer-
ing. which passed the Senate of this State, but was negatived by the Assembly,
because it had for its object to harass the enemy.
But we forbear the disgusting enumeration of acts so evincive of a deplorable
degeneracy of a great portion of the American people, so well calculated to
continue the war into Avhich onr country has he(ni driven — to tarnish our
national character and (unless successfully resisted) to drive our govoriiment
to an injurious and disgraceful peace.
Therefore Resolved, That while we congratulate our 'fellow citizens on the
happy revival of the feelings, sentiments, ami spirit of the revolution which is
every where manifesting itself; and our republican brethren in particulai*, on
the heart cheering zeal and unanimity which pervades their rank.s, wlncdi prom-
ises the total overthrow of that Anti American spirit Avhich disguised under tin?
specious garb of Federalism, has too long preyed upon the vitals of the nation —
which excites a lively hope that the councils of this great and poAA'erfiU Htuli^
will speedily be wholly rescued from the hands of those who have disgraced
them —
We warmly and earnestly conjure our Republican brethren, by the regard
they have for their own rights; by the love they hear their country, and by thc‘
names of the departed worthies of the revolution, to be up and doing, and ho to
act that at the termination of the contest, each of them may tiMumpliantly
exclaim — “ I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course — I liave kept
the faith.” ^
Daniel Wakni-ui (RuV%
P G Childs Sec'ry.
copy of the Notes and Resolutions of this meeting, together with Van Biiroii’a juito-
graph draft of the Resolutions, are in the Van Buren Papers, 1814, April 14.
CHAPTEE 'IV,
The election of 1811 which followed in a few weeks was the most
important of any ever held in the State, and resulted in the complete
humiliation of our opponents by a triumph that gladdened the
heart of every patriot in the land. We, for the first time since
the declaration of War elected not only a large majority of our
Members of Congress, but majorities also in both Houses of the
Legislature, and thus secured our ascendancy in every branch of
the Govermnent. In the succeeding month of August the enemy
captured the city of Washington, burned the Capitol and other
public buildings, and drove the President and his Cabinet from the
Seat of Government, The regret occasioned by this event — this
desecration of our most consecrated spot by the ruthless tread of
hostile steps — ^was in no small degree relieved by the knowledge
that New York had been rescued from the hands of an unrelenting
faction, and might now be relied on to furnish efficient aid to the
general Cause.
The attention of the friends of the Country in all directions was
therefore tufned to Tompkins and the great State over wffiich he
presided. He did not disappoint their expectations but called an
Extra-Session of the Legislature in the month of August,^ and
spread before it in an eloquent and patriotic Speech the actual
condition of the Country — invoking its aid to support the National
Arm. Never did a Legislative body assemble under circumstances
of deeper interest, never one more solemrdy impressed with a sense
of the responsibilities resting upon it, never one more firmly and
disinterestedly resolved to discharge all its duties. I was again
appointed Chairman of the Committee on the Governor’s Speech,
and reported an answer which was adopted in the senate by acclama-
tion and which I insert liere.
The Answer of the Senate to the Speech of His Excellency the Governor.
Sir,
The Senate at the close of their last session indulged with yonr Excellency
in the pleasing expectation, that ))efore this period the blessings of peace would
have been restored to their country on terms consistent with its honor &
Interest. They are however by subsequent events reluctantly compelled to bear
testimony to the insincerity of the professions on which those reasonable ex-
pectations were founded.
They have seen the enemy, while indulging in the vain hope that those pro-
fessions would lead us into fancied but fatal impressions of security, applying
1 The legislature met September 26, 1814. — W. C. F.
53
54
AMERIGAiT HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION.
liis energies to a vigorous prosecution of the war, and they have seen too with
regret although not with dismay, that after liaviug thus added duplicity to
outrage, he has conducted the contest in a luanuer in the last degree disgrace-
ful to a civilized nation & totally repugnant to the established rules of legiti-
mate \^^arfare.
That he is actuated by the most malignant hostility — that during the present
season he contemplated the most extensive injury to the future welfare of our
beloved country, if not the destruction of its constitution &; the conseciueiic
prostration of our excellent political institutions — ^that intoxicated by the re-
cent events in Europe which have given to the political complexion of the world
a new character, and seduced by his nnliinited confidence in the invincibility
of his Legions, he fondly hoped to carry victory into the very heart of tlie
country & by the wide spread desolation which should mark liis course to
compel the American people if not to acknowledge the legitimacy of liis
authority, at least to recognize & admit the supremacy of his power— iiius.t
he obvious to all.
The Senate therefore in common with your excellency and as they hope the
whole American people “ cannot but exult that thus far we have sustained the
shock with firmness & gathered laurels from the strife” — that although he
has succeeded in penetrating to the Capital & in the conflagrations of the
monuments of art with which by the enterprise & public spirit of the nation
it had been adorned, his success has before this time been embittered with the
reflection that by their blaze be has kindled a flame of patriotism, which
prevades every section of the union, by which he has been seriously scorched
at Baltimore, & which threatens his compleat annihihitioii at every assailable
point of Ae union to which his ambition or his resentment may. lead him.
The Senate have witnessed with the same emotions, with the same onthusi-
astic admiration evinced by your excellency the brilliant exploits acliievcd by
our army k navy during the present campaign — achievements, which in tiiolr
consequences have been so immediately & extensively beneficial to our frontier
citizens, acliievemonts which will not lose in the comparison with the most
gallant efforts of the veterans of the old-world — exploits that have pierced the
gloom which for a season obscured our political horizon & dispelled the fearful
forebodings which past disasters had excited — exploits wdiicU have fully main-
tained if not enhanced the proud & enviable fame of our gallant tars— wlihdi
have covered the actors in those bright scenes with never fading luurcds and
which will until public gratitude ceases to be a public virtue oiisiirc the highest
testimonials which a free people can yield to freemen — unceasing rcA^ereiice f<u*
the memory of those who have died on the field of honor & acts of unceasing
gi’atitude & esteem towards their noble survivors.
The Senate have seen with great satisfaction the prompt & efllcacious meas-
ures adopted by your excellency to avert the dangers which impended 1 ?] the
State, and believing as they do that whatever excess of executive authoriLy may
have been indulged in, it has been not only exclusively intended foi; the jiromo-
tion of the general good but was moreover rendered indispensihle by the hn-
perious nature of existing circumstances— they cannot doubt but tiiat the a(.ds
to which your excellency has referred will be such as to command their appi’o-
bation & support
The Senate cannot forego the opportunity afforded them of uniting with your
excellency, in an expression of the high satisfaction with which they havo
observed the increasing unanimity & noble ardour in our countries cause whifdi
pervades almost the whole community.
That on questions of local policy and the fitness of men for public statu ms
we should ever be exempt from differences of opinion was not to be expected,
f!i^ isilUis lik<‘ (liusi* i!iN»'});iru!jI<‘ irniii ilu* hlcssinp: »>(’ rr<‘t‘ il u( ioii
.‘‘.I'iurl iiiu-s rjtrrvtMl tti Ici priuliut* si vinilrnn* I'i:
iii;ili;,\nil.v w liirh all ianMl tiu'ii iiiusi <!fii|ns-c. iln-.v nw h<»U\ il lislainliiii; pimmUuM ivi‘
of iiitirh ualiniial .anml, I‘,u( {»> lia\r .siippnsnl lh:n a p(‘opl«‘ ji^alnus nf tlu'ir
I’i.iLdils pruiul f»r (Iu‘ir iiatiniial I'li.arsu'iiM- •mmiIiI, citi ilic (piesiioii ul‘ rosistina’ Hu*
ajvaras.'aiHs.s f)!’ Dii' npni i*Jsriiiirs of jla* laiul ai’i' [ hjIIiiIcU
I1h‘ .soil wliioh tiirt'alon tlu‘ il(‘iuolii ion (jf llioso fan' I'alirirs w Ikiv<‘ lu‘on
(■oii.NtM'i'al oil to rrt'ftioin by I ho IiUmuI .sn IVoflnas th* llioii* fat hors that, on a.
((lioslhsu of sih’U \lt!il nioauait, so wol! oaioulaloil lo o\oi|t‘ sill tho pal riot i.sui,
(o aroiiso all tho Spirit tk. to call 1 m(( 3 vi.aorons aolioti all ilio iaioul oiuM'^ios of
(hi‘ nation ilioy \V(»nhl lon.u’ <’onjimn* to wasti* lla‘ir slrtaii’Oi in orinilini! and
unprolitsihh* coinslons wtnihl havo In-on a hasi* lil>ol on (holr olisiraoltM*,
Whih‘ thorolon* (hi» Staialo will at all liinos (h» sill tluit in Ihoiu lios lo
frustrali^ (hi* t'lVorls, to <h‘roa( tho projroi s <'v, ti» oNposi* to pnhlh* ohhnpiy
roproaoh lla* ooialiiot of all Ihoso wIkj il iiti* oT (hsM tiolih* hi\o oT ootmtry
wiiifU ;.ht»nhi <'liaraoiori/.o Ainorh'ans al this pori Ions orisis oi’ onrarralrs, who
proiVrrinr, tho lnlon•^.|:; >►!’ party to (hoso of thoir oouniry, or siotiialiMi liy
moii\t-:; moro ii(*(‘ply oi’lininal, shall jitloinpt to aid tho Too by lu'apin?.-; tm-
j’oi!iidt‘d iM Innmii*.'; on (la* <‘onst it ii{i*d authoritios of (ho Connlry, or slnill
NO(‘k to i‘.\oito distraolbin A- alann In tho oonnolls of tin* nation or In any
nibor way atlompt (o psiralb/.t* (ho sinn of fawonunout, yol fri-oly sonsihli*
that “ ovoi\\ dliloroni't* iM’ opinion Is nnl a ililToronoi* in prlnoiplo” Ihoy will
on all oooasitins fool It to l)o (holr ibily as It is thoir wisli to affoi’d lo (ho
niorilorious sohlior liis dito reward, wlthont. roiatrd to sot'l or parly.
'Dto r.roat Inlorosi whloh (ho Si.ato <tf Ni'W York has in tin* prosooulion
Itsaninalhm of tho I’uutrovorsy in which our oiainlry is iiivolvod, tho hlr:h
drsiiiiy to wlih-h hoi* local situation, (he t*N(<‘Ul, of her rc.s<atrc(*s, iho llh(‘ralUy
of las* Icyislal nrc iV lla* ardor of law sons nicy (cad la‘r, havo la*i‘U duly
a ppr<‘<‘ia (ed by your c\colb'ncy. 'Tla* Sonalo plod;a* lliejr Inst oxorlion lo
roali'/.o ilar.o p.roal A wol! fninalod o\)»ootal ions and rolyinjv on ibo .Inslli'i* of
• »iir oaUNc for Ibo apprio finonl of a .last (hui I boy oania>l bni llall(‘r llicni
M-ht* :, that in dui* M*ast»n the .\niorican anas v. ill bo crownod wilb <*omploal
Micci**.': y (be niihl rcir.n td’ poaro bo tcstornl (o <Mir now otjprc.sscd idcoillni.^
roinit r\
Aiiudpx ^!it‘ ijr<a‘(*(*(rnio*s wa:: itiy iii( rndiK’l.'nni (iF (he "A 'la.ssi •
{ioalioii rdiir' iirofianal by inysolf nfler full enpsiil j al ion will) out*
rrioinls in bolh 1 louses, and !(*( ino add, in jiislieo lo oiu* who, will)
a (-apaeily seare(‘!y inforior (o any, iV/iltal so sadly in Ilu* (‘siinial ion
of his ( ’ouni rynu*ib at’lor availiii^^ inyseir also of Ihe. mililauy csspo
ritnieo of Aaron Burr wlio was llu*ii at- Albany. This liill aiiUtor
i/.od the (iovtuMior to eail into actual stuwiet* T\v(*lv(* Thoiriand of ilu*
Slali* Militia, to In* takuu from or reeruiiiMl by ( dassics lo bo foruu*d
oiil of (!u* fret* while, male iuhahitanls of the Slate*, o\'or iho. a^’C:
of IS yt‘a rs. acrot’dinp; to llu‘ir ri*spt‘ol i\'o osiaies, abili(ii‘s and <*tr
oumst !UU’(*s. If any Class raih'd to pro(hu*(* an ahlt* bodit'd man, any
mombi*r of ^lu^ class miidit furnish him, ami {lu*rt‘hy entitle liimsi‘ir
to (ho smo of Two Ilmulri'd Dollars, to la* mist'd hy asst'ssnumt- from
Iho whole olas , aoi*ordin«i: (o (la* apiira ist'meiit or valuation ap-
‘ Ihum thr !•> ViUi Unit-n iu On- Vini Uurni I*:i|»«-r:i, l.llirriry oi’ Omi
j rr: . 'I'hf . prrrli j. {mIiUi-iI lii tin- .luioirU (il‘ ill.- N<-w ViH’tc Soiint.- c.(’
Oi-tnl-iT t. isi t. iiiiii wiiv. itn* irntfd tu tin- Oiivornnr Oi-lulK-i-
A.:'
56
AMEKICA^T HISTORICAL ASSOCiATXOH.
pended to tlie Enrolment, and if a man was not thus produced the
Bill contained other stringent provisions to enable the proper offi-
cer to procure him, at the expense of the class in default, upon the
same principle. The troops thus raised were to supply to that extent
calls by the Federal Government upon the State Militia. The object
was not only to improve the character of the aid rendered to the
service, under calls for Militia, by the superior efficiency of troops
thus raised over undisciplined recruits, but also to render the con-
tributions of the People to Militia Service more proportionate to
their interests and Means that was the case under the then existing
law. The Bill proceeded upon the principle that all expenses in-
curred, or burdens imposed to preserve domestic order or to
repel invasion should be borne as neaidy as possible by each
citizen proportionately to his interests, pecuniary as well as per-
sonal, in the benefits to be thus secured : in other words to apply to
the Militia. Service the principle that has always prevailed in regard
to tile support of the Army and Navy. The Bill excited the indigna-
tion of the wealthy classes generally, and pai-ticularly of those
among them who were opposed to the War, and I was of course
grossly abused by their mouth-iDieces — so much so that in my own
County the federal press advised its readers to withhold the courte-
sies of life from so bad a man. On one occasion I was accosted in
the street by my great professional antagonist, Elisha Williams,
(then a member of the House of Assembly) with this character-
istic remark, — ^Wan Buren, my federal friends are such fools
as to believe that you are in earnest with your Conscription Bill,
and mean to carry it through, and I cannot convince them to the
contrary.” I told him that his friends \vere right, and that I was
surprised to find that they understood me better than he, wdio ought
to Ivnow me best. He raised both hands in amazement and replied
that he had always regarded me as a man of too much sense to get
into such a scrape.
We fought the Bill through against the violent opposition of the
Federalists aided by General Boot, who denounced it with great bit-
terness.^ His opposition was, however, much more than counterbal-
anced by the manly and vigorous support of several of the [Federal-
ist?] Senators. General Scott sent a copy of the Bill to Mr. Monroe,
then Secretaiy of War, and it was believed to have entered into the
composition of a somewhat similar plan that he recommended to
Congress.- Governor Tompkins waited till the regular Winter ses-
sion to obtain some amendments necessary to facilitate its execution,
^ Tho biU bocame a October 24, 1^14. — W. C. F.
^Moaroc’s measure Diay be studied from bis “Explanatory observations” and other
papers in the State Papers, Military Affairs, I, 515, and in Henry Adams, History of
the United States, VIII, 264.— W. C. F.
57
ATJTOBIOGRAPIiY OF MARTIN" VAST BURES’.
upon points wliicli had been overlooked in our anxiet}' to establish
the principle ; I applied at the opening of the session for a Commit-
tee, and we were engaged upon the subject when the Express ar-
rived bringing the news of peace. The original draft of the Bill, in
my handwriting, is filed among the archives of the Senate, with the
following endorsement : —
Tlie original classification Bill—to be preserved as a Memento of tbe Patriot-
ism, Intelligence and Firmness of the Legislature of 1814-15.
^ ^ M. y. Buiien.
Filed, Feb^ 21®^ 1S15
The additional results of the active patriotism of the Eepublican
members were Bills to raise the pay of the Militia while in the
service of the XJnited Statesj — to Encourage Privateering — ^to raise a
Corps of Sea fencibles, — and to raise two Regiments of colored men.
These laws were highly approved at Wasliington, and President
Madison, to testify the sense of the national administration of the
high stand taken by New York, offered to Governor Tompkins the
office of Secretary of State,^ made vacant by [the transfer of James
Monroe to the War Department.]
Although surrounded by difficulties which were calculated to dis-
turb the strongest nerves and constantly obliged to jeopard his
private fortune by personal responsibilities, indispensably assumed
for the public service, and thereby laying the foundation for the de-
struction of his future peace of mind, he [Tompkins] declined an
appointment which was then regarded as the stepping stone to the
Presidency. The reason assigned for his declension was his convic-
tion that he could, during the continuance of the War, be of more
ser^dce to the country in the position of Governor of New York, than
in that of Secretary of State. There is no doubt that this was the
only consideration that determined his conduct, and it presented an
instance of pmre and self sacrificing patriotism, rarely equalled and
certainly not surpassed by any single act during the War.
Chancellor Kent objected, in the Council of Revision, to the
Classification Bill, the Bill to raise a ° corps of sea-fencibles, and the
Bill to encourage Privateering, and delivered an Opinion, which
savoured more than was deemed suitable to the occasion of an ap-
peal to popular prejudices. My friend Col. Samuel Young, who had
commenced his legislative career at the previous session, with much
promise, and was now Speaker of the Assembly, answered and snc-
cessfuUy refuted the Chancellor’s objections to the Classification
Act in one or two able numbers published in the Albany Argus, over
the signature of “JwWs cou^ultus?'^ The Chancellor replied over
^ Offer made September 29, 1S14. — W. C. P.
MS. I, p. 75.
58
AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION.
that of ^^Amicus CuHae,'^^ CoL Young, having confined himself
principally to the Classification Bill, I took up the subject of the
Chancellor’s objections to the Bill to encourage Privateering, over
the signature of Juris consultusy Finding that he had in-
volved himself in a controversy uncongenial with his amiable and
generally pacific disposition, the Chancellor retired with a Card,
indicative of a sense of discomfiture. This was replied to by Amims
Juris Consultus^ in the same form, and the discussion was closed.
The Chancellor’s second and last number in reply to Juris Con-
sultus appeared on the 28th of ffovember 1814:, and concluded with
the following sentence; — ^‘‘The public attention appears now to
be properly awakened to the all important merits of our Conscription
Polic3L I am a great friend to the freedom and utility of public
discussion/ and I have no doubt it will be found now, as it has in
all former times, that a free press is the great guardian of civil
Liberty. So fully do I believe in its efficiency that if the Consti-
tiiition was subverted and tyranny seated oii the throne,
surrounded by her sj^cophants, her parasites, her informers, her
guards, her assassins and her executioners, a free pi'ess would restore
the one and overturn the other.”
The first number of Amicus Juris Gonsultus appeared on the next
day, and the Chancellors card (which Avill be found with it), on
the second day following.
I have deemed the portion of these papers in my possession wmithy
of preservation, and they accompany this Memoir/ not on account
of their merits, from higher considerations. The spirit witli
which the publick mind influenced and supported the legislation
referred to, when regarded in connection with the actual position
and pretensions of the enemy, afford, I cannot but think, a most
gratifying exhibition of the character of our People under circum-
stances more trying than any to which our Country has been ex-
posed since the War of the Eevolution. The sacking of Washing-
ton — ^that wanton act of barbarity — and the temporary dispersion
of the Government, have already been spoken of. These had been
followed up by a formal announcement to the President by the
British naval Coimnander on our coast upon pretences of the most
unfounded character, that he intended to employ the forces under
his direction “ in destroying and laying waste such towns and dis-
tricts on our coast as might be found assailable.”^ By despatches
received from our Ministers at Ghent (dniung the brief Extra-ses-
sion at which these laws were j^asscd, and this objection interposed)
it api^ears that the demands of the Enemy were as follows:
^ In tho Van Huron Tapors undor dates of Nov. and Doc. 1814.
* Coctirane to Monroe, August IS, 1814 — before tbe sacking of Washington. — W. C. F.
autobiography of martih van bhren.
59
1st. That their Indian Allie-S should be embraced in the treatv. and
a bonndarj'' lina between them and us permanently settled, beyond
which we should not be permitted to purchase any' land, or exerci.se
jurisdiction; aaid a line was proposed by which the United States
would have deprived themselves of the jurisdiction of at least one
third of their original territory, including large portion.s of tlu*
population of Ohio, Michigan, and Illinois Territories, ami wliieh
would also have annulled several Treaties we had made witli the
Indian Tribes by which the Indian Title to several millions of acres
of land had been extinguished ; and this article was declared to be a
mie (jita own to a Treaty of Peace :
2d. That the entire military command of the Lakes, from Ontario
to Erie, inclusive, in the form of an exclusive right to maintain naval
armaments upon them and military Posts on their shores should be
secured to Great Britain; the Britisii Commissioners declining to
answer, for tlie present, the question whether this was also to be
regarded as a sine qua non for the reason that tliey had already
proposed one article of that character :
3d. That there should be a cession of as much of tlie territory of
Maine as might be necessaiy for a direct communication between
Halifax and Quebeck:
4:th. That our Fishermen should no longer have the right to dry
their fish on the coast of New Foundland: and
5th. That a new Boundary should be run between them and us
from Lake Superior to the Mississippi.^
The indignation excited by these atrocious acts and insolent de-
mands was intense, and soon satisfied the enemy that their crimes
were also great blunders. It was tit this crisis that Pufus King
and other distinguished federalists withdrew their opposition
to the War, 'and cast the Aveight of their influence on the side of
their own Country,- and in our Legislature — hitherto, and still to a
cvreat extent., .the hot-bed of faction— there were not wanting syinp-
toms of relaxation.
Col. Benton, in his recent able work, places the subject of the
conclusion of peace, without any stipulation of the subject of Im-
pressment, upon its true grounds. That question was better dis-
posed of tlian it would have been by any stipulation. M e would
now regard it as inconsistent with our national honor to ask or
receive any promise on that point as the price of peace. The world
knows that any action based upon such pretension in respect to our
sailors would be tantamount to a declaration of IVar. During her
recent war with Eussia Great Britain has wisely taken a step in
iSoe Henry Adams, History of tlie United States, ix, 17.— W. C. F.
4eo a memorandum, dated October, 1S14, on the policy of the Federalists m the Uife
and Correspondence of Rufus King, V, 422. — V* . C. F.
60
AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION,
advance upon the general subject of maritime rights/ and there
is no reason to apprehend that any similar questions will ever again
be the cause of War between two Nations which have such strong
inducements to be at peace.
Our exemption from further molestation in these respects is one
of the results of the War of 1812 and one of the many reasons why
that event should be regarded as having been of more advantage
to us than any that has occurred since the adoption of the Federal
Constitution.
I cannot allow myself to pass from the subject of the demands of
the British Government without congratulating my countr.ymen on
the dignity and immense power that the United States have ac-
quired since that day. Wliat nation in the world would now deem
it either wise or safe to propose to us such terms as indispensable
conditions to a treaty of peace? Not one.
The laws to which the Chancellor objected were j)assed in the
Assembly by a vote of nearly three fourths, and, in the Senate,
of about two thirds. In addition to this a Eesolution passed the
Assembly nnaninionsly and was concurred in by the Senate, with
equal cordiality, declaring ^Hhat the House of Assembl^^ of the
State of New York view with mingled emotions of surprise and
indignation the extravagant and disgraceful terms proposed
the British Commissioners at Ghent ; that however ai*dently tliey
might desire the restoration of peace to their countiy, they would
never consent to receive it at the sacrifice of National honor and
dignity.” But it was seen with pain and regret that a very slight
portion, if any, of these feelings had reached the breast of the
Chancellor, or it would perhaps be nearer the truth to say, of those
by whose counsels his political coui’so Avas greatly influenced. Ob-
jections founded on exclushnly constitutional grounds, expressed
with moderation, and accompanied by circumstances indicative of
regret that official duty preA^ented a different conclusion, Avould
doubtless have been received in a liberal and indulgent spirit, but
the construction and temper of his Opinion closed the door against
any such inferences, and the fact, charged at the time and never
denied that he furnished a copy for tlie iieAYspapers, shewed that it
originated in a partizan spirit. It was under these circumstances
that Col. Young and myself, both young men, then only in the second
year of our public service, stepped foiwarcl and arraigned the con-
duct of the Chancellor at the bar of publick opinion in terms that
Ave would, in a different state of things, haA^e never thought of eni-
ploying. If anything Avere wanting besides Avliat appears in the
‘This refers to the declaration adopted in April, 1S5G, by a congress of several mari-
time Powers assembled at Paris. The position of the United States is given in AVhartoD,
Digest of the International Law of the United States, X, 342. — W. C. F.
61
AUTOBIOGRAPHY OP MARTIH YAH BUREX.
articles written by me to shew the absence of anv personal ill will on
my part, it will be abundantly furnislied by the following circum-
stances. The Chancellor, shortly afterwards, determined to abstain
from all participation in party politics, and wrote a letter to that
effect to his friend Josiali Ogden Hoffman, which was published.
As soon as it appeared I wrote an article for the Argus, the ori<rinal
diaft of which is still among my papers,^ and the portion of which
relating to this subject was as follows: —
Mr. Bueu. hope you will not fail to lay before your readers the
veiy inteiesting letter from Chancellor Kent to Mi*. Hoffman. It
cannot fail to be gratifying to every real friend to the Judiciary.
They have witnessed with regret the 'unceasing attempts which have
been for some time making by his Judidal friends to draw him,
‘with them, into all the petty intrigues of a Cabal which keeps the
state in commotion, in the hope that if they could not derive a full
excuse from his participation, they would at least divide the odium
by his community. The determination to withdraw himself from
the party dissensions of the day, and to devote his time and atten-
tion to the studies and duties of his office, expressed in this letter, is
as it should be. His distinguished merits have been a subject of
general admiration, and not unfrcquently, it is feared, of sinister
commendation. It is however but bare justice to him to say that
among the list of worthies who have at periods filled our highest
Judicial Offices, many of whom have descended to the tomb, accom-
panied by the benedictions of their fellow citizens, there has not been
one who for spotless purity and exemplary industry in the discharge
of his Judicial duties, has excelled the present Chancellor. There is
no Equity Tribunal in this Country organized like our Court of
Chancery; not one in which a single Judge ° possesses such extensive
powers, and it is a source of just pride and satisfaction, that without
sTibjecting ourselves to the charge of aiTogance we can safely chal-
lenge a comparison in point of learning, industry and all the quali-
ties requisite for a Judge, between the present incumbent and the
brightest luminaries of the law throughout the Union. As such his
character is the property of the State, and should be guarded against
encroachments with the utmost jealousjq and as such too it is doubly
important that by his total exclusion from the angi’y conflicts of
party (with which this State is yet. for a season, doomed to be
afflicted,) all obstacles to yielding him, our united and cheerful ap-
plause should be removed; so that when Virginians, without regard
to party, expatiate on the distinguished talents of their Marshall, —
when our Eastern brethren dwell with enthusiasm on the memory
of their justly celebrated Parsons and boast of the erudition of
^ Not fouDcl iirnong the A’an Bumi Papers.
" :ms. I, p. SO.
62
AMERIGA^Sr HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION.
their Story, we too may be able to point to a Judicial character, on
which New York reposes her claims to a fair equality with the
proudest of her sister States.
A steady adherence to the resolution contained in this letter is all
that is necessary to secure this great End — every thing but that is
already done. The Republicans of the State do not desire, nor W'Ould
they approve the active co-operation of the Judges of our superior
Courts in those party strifes which our free political institutions
must and will produce. The utmost of their wish is to see them
devote their time mid attention to the studies cmd duties of their
office.'*’^ Let Chancellor Kent therefore persevere in his praise-
worthy determination, and at the appointed day when, by the im-
perious provision of our Constitution, the high j)owers which have
been delegated to him must be surrendered, he will find that that
Party which can neither be intimidated by oppression, seduced by
corruption, nor circumvented by artifice, is not wanting in liberality
even to political opponents, — ^but there is no class of men who take
more pleasure than they in bestowing the unbought and freewill offer-
ing of their approbation and support upon official merit.
Yliile passing donor the river on the morning after the appear-
ance of my Card I met on the steamboat with a very clever lady and
devoted friend of the Chancellor, who charged me with cruelty in
exciting him to the extent she had herself witnessed that morning;
and, which made it worse, she said, he was very far from being my
enemy. I replied that she could not herself have seen the Card,
she referred to, or a person of her good sense would have perceived
that the ‘writer, whoever he might be, was none other than a triu'^
friend of the Chancellor. * This profession in respect to my own
feelings was entirely sincere. From my first acquaintance with him,
until his death, I entertained for him sentiments of true esteem ami
great respect. If it is not a compliment too bi'oad to be i^aid to an,y
man, considering the fi^ailty of human nature, and the bad ipflucnces
to which the best are exposed at times, through their passions, !
would say that I do not believe that he ever, in his long and honor-
able career, did an act, whatever may have been its error, that he at
least did not conscientiously think to be right. I was first p)-('.-
sented to him on my return home from the city of New York,
I had been studying law, at the Columbian Circuit which he -vvivs.
holding. He was sitting in the shade afterdhe labours of the snin~
mer’s day surrounded by a group composed of William P. Viiu
Ness, Elisha Williams, Thomas P. Grosvenor, and others, -who avouch
greatly excited in consequence of some political occurrence, ntul
were giving vent to their feelings in the severest terms. They reti rc>( 1
one after another, and when he and myself were about the only
AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF MARTIH VAK BUREH.
63
persons present he rose from his seat and exclaimed, “ Oh ! these poli-
ticians ! What trouble and vexation do they not cause ! for myself
I have been content to eat my cake in peace,’’ and, tapping me on
the shoulder, added — “ don’t you think that is the wisest course,
young man ! ” Almost, if not quite the last time I had the pleasure
of meeting him, was nearly forty years afterwards in N'cw York
and in the street, on my way home from Washington, after the ex-
piration of my Presidential Term. He took both my hands, ex-
pressed his gx'eat satisfaction in having met me, and insisted" on my
accompanying him to his house which was near at hand; and on
my consenting to do so, he said at once, “ I have to ask your pardon,
Sir, for the part I have talcen in assisting to turn you out, and i^ut-
ting a man in your place, who is wholly unfit for it. I pledge you
my honor, Sir, that I was then wdiolly ignorant of the fact, but now
I know all about it! You made a very good President; I did not
approve of all you did — ^but you did nothing of which either of us
has reason to be ashamed ; and vre ought not to have turned you out,
without placing a more competent man in your place, and in that
matter I was sadly deceived, and I have, ever since I understood
it, desired an opportunity to say to you what I noAV say ! ” I found
it impossible to stop him until •we had reached his house, when he
introduced me to Mrs. Kent, and repeated to her what he had said
to me. I spent an agreeable hour with him and parted with a
promise on his part that he would ip^xy me a visit in the country.
In my experience of men I have never known three men who
received so nearly the same stamp from the hand of Nature as James
Madison, Bushrod Washington and James Kent. In the simplicity,
sincerity and inoffensiveness of their dispositions they were identi-
cal; each owned a delightful cheerfulness of temperament and an
unvarying desire to develop that heaven-born quality in others.
With a buoyancy of spirits and manners sometimes bordering on
levity, they never for a moment hazarded the I'espect of their friends
or of those about them. Mr. Madison’s life having been devoted to
politicks he was more reserved in regard to public affairs, but upon
all other subjects they spoke their sentiments with the simplicity
and directness of children. Kent possessed more genius and learning
than his brother Judge, but Washington’s mind was of a highly
respectable order. Mr. Emmet, in speaking to me of Kent, said that
he was a learned and able Judge — ^but a poor Jury-man. The justice
of this distinction frequently occurred to me. Elevated to the Bench
at an early age, and ardently devoted to domestic life, he had
mixed hut little with the worlcl and was proportionally disqualified
to sift and weigh testimony. This was strikingly exhibitecl at the
cominencenient of his official duties as Chancellor. Being obliged in
64
AMERTCAlsr HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION.
most cases to decide both law and fact, and too liable to be led into
extremes, by liis detestation of fraud, several of his first decrees
failed to stand the test of review in the Court for the Correction of
Errors. At the first or second Term of that Court, not fewer than
six of his Decrees (speaking from memory) were reversed with the
concurrence of his former brethren of the Supreme Court. ITaving
occasion to call at his office the next morning on professional biisi-
ness, he displayed, in my presence, what, in almost any other man,
would have been regarded as undignified violence of temper and
manner, but would not, to one who knew him well, bear any such
construction. The reversals of the preceding day having been re-
ferred to, he broke out into a mock tirade against the Judges, to the
following effect; — ^^^They are unfit for their places, Mr. Van Buren;
You know that they are! Spencer and Van Ness are able enough,
but instead of studying their cases they devote their time to poli-
ticks ! You know that, as well as I do! As to Judge Yates” —
raising his hands — need say nothing! You should roll hinh htutJc.
to Schenectady!’^'^ (an allusion to Judge Y’s personal appearance,
borrowed from Mr. Clinton,) — ^^‘And as to my cousin Pi^'lTt! He is
only fit to be Head Deacon to a Presbyterian Church, and for nothing
clse!”^
The memories of the older members of the Bar must abound in
the recollection of similar ebullitions. On one occasion Avlien I ^vas
present at his Chambers, a young attorney was applying for admis-
sion as Solicitor in Chancery. Finding (as was very evident) that
he conld not bring his case within the rules, he refeiTed to> tlie ad-
mission under similar circumstances of an attorney from a neigh-
bouring city whose rough manners were notorious. Before ho ha<l
finished his statement His tionor interrupted him in the following
strain — I deny it! Sir! It is not true! I did not admit him!
EIe broke in! ITow would you keep such a fellow out? — But yon
are a gentleman, and must not try to imitate such a bad example.
Wait till ° the proper time and I will admit you with pleasure.” At
an earlier period he had been holding a tedious Circuit in CohuuBia,
and, on the last day, tried an action for an assault and battery on a
^ To tell you tlio truth, I am discouraged and heartbroken. The JiidgeH havi> in****
vailed on the Court of Errors to reverse all my best decisions. ^Phey have reversed
'O. Beekman, the Methodist Episcopal Church -d. Jacques, Anderson v. Boyd, and (»nM*rN.
After such devastation, -what courage ought I to have to study and write* elabornle
ions? There are hut two sides to every case, .and I am so unfortunate as always ■l;o take
the wrong side. I never felt more disgusted with the Judge.s in all my life, jiiul I
pressed myself to Judge Platt in a way to mortify and offend him. According to my
present feelings and sentiments, I will never consent to publish another opinion, ami I
have taken and removed out of sight and out of my office into another rooin my Ihrca
volumes of Chancery Reports. They were too fearful when standing before my
Tamos Kant to William Johnson, April, 1820. Kent, Memoirs and Letters of .Taml's Kfiil
p. 186.— W. C. P.
" MS. I, p. 85.
AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF MARTIFT YAH BUREX.
65
negro. It appeared that the negro’s conduct had been improper, and
the Jiiiy gave him only six cents damages. He had brought an-
other suit against another defendant for the same assault that was
also on the Calendar, but had been passed. The. Plaintiff wished to
have it tried at the close of the circuit and the Judge refused, saying
that he had had his chance, but on the representation of Plaintiff's
counsel that his client was poor and would be liable to heavy costs, the
Judge consented, with an admonition to the Counsel that if he did
not recover more than six cents in the other cause he would not give
him a certificate to entitle him to costs. The Clerk commenced call-
ing the Jury, when the Judge looked at his watch and exclaimed,
^^Stop, Clerk! I’ll be hanged if I will try the other Cause! The
Negro ^oas saucy and deserved to le v)hipped! Crier! adjourn the
Court ! ”
1274S3 VOL 2—20 5
CHAPTEE V.
The return of i^eace naturally revived rival aspirations for political
distinction which had been in some degree suspended^ on the Ee-
publican side, by the engrossing cares and responsibilities of the War.
The question in regard to Gen. [ObadialiJ German’s successor in
the Senate of the United States took the lead in our State affairs.
The personal and political relations between Judge Spencer and
myself had been harmonious during the War; more so than ever
before, and, I regret to be obliged to add, than they ever were
afterwards. He was exceedingly anxious for the appointment of
his old friend Gen. Armstrong, and pressed me with his accus-
tomed earnestness to unite in his support. I could not consent to
this proposal, but offered at once and with entire sincerity to sup-
port the eJudge himself. He expressed his gratification at this offer^
but declined becoming a Candidate, on the ground that his pur-
suits had not been of a character to qualify him for the place; and
he did not discontinue his efforts to induce me to go for his friend. At
our last interview that took place at his own house and by appoint-
ment, he submitted to me a great number of letters received by him
from different parts of the state in favor of Gen. Armstrong to re-
fute the opinion I had expressed that his efforts in favor of the
General might prove a failure. I had, before this interview, come
to the conclusion to support Nathan Sanford, of which fact I then
a2:>prised the Judge. He was somewhat excited, but received the
communication in a much better spirit than was usual with him
when his wishes were op^oosed, repeated his entire confidence in
Gen. Armstrong’s success, and expressed a hope that our difference
would be an amiable one. Understanding his disposition and satis-
fied that wlien he found that lie might fail in his design he would
not be able to persevere in the liberal feelings he then professed, I
deemed it an act of prudence to look out in season for the means
of self defense. The Council of Apjiointment was in those days
the only secure citadel of political strength to its possessors, and to
that my attention was directed. In regular course Mr. Sanford
would be selected for that Council from the Southern District;
Euggles Hubbard was the only Eepublican Senator from. the Eastern
District, and must therefore be chosen; with them and my friend
Lucas Elmeiidorff from my own — ^the Middle District — we Avould
IvdYe three out of the four members, and might feel ourselves safe
from persecution for the act of rebellion we meditated against
66
AXJTOBIOGriAPHY OF MARTIFT VAN BTJBEN. 67
Judge Spencer’s long acknowledged supremacy. These we had
the power, to elect, but at the Meeting of the Legislature Mr. San-
ford declined a place in the Council, and recoimiiended the selec-
tion of Judge [Jonathan] Dayton. By this act Col. Young, one of
the most efficient of his supporters, was sacrificed to Spencer’s re-
sentment, as would have been the case with myself if I had had no
other reliance than on Mr. Sanford’s support. Dayton, Ehnendofff,
Hubbard and Col. [Farrand] Stranahan (a friend of the Judge)
were chosen for the Council.^ Judge Spencer continued for a sea-
son to support General Armstrong with great spirit but was finally
compelled to abandon his case! as hopeless. He then brought for-
ward the name of his friend Elisha Jenkins but with no better
success. Finally his own name was introduced into the Canvass,
and! the matter treated by his friends as if the only question was
whether he would consent to take the office. Wlien he was proposed
in the Caucus, gentlemen who had dined in company with him but
a few hours before made conflicting statements in regard to his
willingness to take the place.^ This produced a motion on the part
of one of his friends that a committee should wait on him to ascer-
tain whether he would serve if appointed. I opposed this motion,
and cautioned his friends to reflect that the appointment of such a
Committee would be tantamount to a declaration that a majority
were in his favor — Avhich I was very confident was not the case — and
that if they should prove to be mistaken on this point they would
practice a cruel deception upon their friend if they should obtaiii
his consent. The motion w^as however i^ersistecl in and lost: I then
moved for a recess of one hour, to give the Judge’s friends an op-
portunity to consult him if they were so disposed. They availed
themselves of it, reported his declension to stand as a Candidate,'^
and Mr. Sanford was nominated without an organized opposition.
Wliilst we were proceeding in the election on the following day,
Judge Woodworth came into the Senate Chamber, and direeting
Sanford’s attention to him I said “There is the man who will be
used by Judge Spencer to punish me for what we are now doing.”
Wlien the Senate adjourned Woodworth stepped towards Sanford
and myself, and inrited us to drive to our lodgings in his sleigh,
and on our way proposed a visit at his house. MTiile there he was
vociferous in his exultation at the triumph ive had obtained over an
“influence” (referring to Spencer) which had, he said, ruled the
State too long. After we parted from him, Mr. Sanford asked me
whether I did not regret the injustice I had done a friend. I an-
^Tlie election occurred February 1, 1815. — W. C. F.
2 nammond says (I, 393, note) that it was Van Buren who stated that he did not
tJelieve Judge Spencer would consent to be a candidate. — ^W. C. P.
* “ Because he would not put himself in competition with so young a man as San-
ford.” — (Hammond, I, 393 note). — ^W. C. F.
nisnuuivA!, A>S(u’i.vnt»N.
(xS
in till' :iinl lohl him \V»Mi(l\vnr(li kut-w nnlhiiiir
of till' mnt(t*r u‘t. hut that tlu* dixlix* MMat fni* him in thn
i‘\tmin‘»; nml nlMain hi - I’ntisniu to U* a. I'anilitiali' amiin t nm fm* Ihn
<illir(‘ {»r AlUn’n»*y thmiTaL 1 ha <lr ire of ihn {<arl\‘ lhal I xlMMikl
hp a|i|»nint{‘il (n that ollirf ua> n* na'imral that until that tifnn no
othnr iiamn hah htam jp»kpn of. 'Thn nannuamt, as I tnhl Sanrtnah
wanihl lip tntuiilpii on t ho a uniptiou that Stranahan wanihl ciTtainly
III) with thn flntlyt*; that llnhhanl \\lu» wa a imar rrlali\r of Whunl-
worlii, ami ha«l hmii to oini* pstoni hrnnyht tip hy him, poiihl hp
ra' ily inhupph to \ntp |or liim, ami that SppiiPia’';, inlhiPiiPi* with
tlip (M>\prm»r, aiPp*! hy tlm lap! that run ihprahli* nm*a im* hatl
a^i^pn hatupim tlip lattpraml mysnir in t'p pia*t tii lopal appoint ntpnis
in my poimty, \\<mM in* pnilifirntt to imlupi* him to tlm pa^ttinn:
\aj|p an'ain I iup.
A iVu ha\ a t’lpfu arh - llip (iovinaior ‘ra\p hi > tir t Slatp <ruima‘
at whinh wpVp pi*p flit nm I of thp partir ti> tliP politipal hmil tlnm
in i‘mhryi>, p\ppp( mv thf poniimal (o ni\ <n\n tjiiartrr. h\ a :p\prt'
pohl. In tliP p\pnim'" Sanfonl ami Uunnlp. lUtihharhl palh’h at my
room, in miiph rffitruipnl, anh int’ornipil mp that tht‘ tH»\prm»r hah
.howti t liPin hipoi'p tli'A Uht him, W’ooh u oi’t h' ■ applipation lor t 'mp
olj(pt* oT Atlornm, tipitPi’ah anil Inn! al: o tok| tlipm that u hrii tlip
appUpaiion s\a. prr l Utph Whiohwoiih hah !..*ivpn him to iimha* tanh
that hi tViPoh . poiitpjiiplat rh (lu‘ pa a;‘p of a law for tht‘ appoint
lopiit of tvot ahhitloual Jutlnv: of thp r'aipi'pinp ( 'Ujtl, ati'l that it*
m\ {Vii'nil voiiilh u lain lhal imai nrp anh alhnv ihp appoinimrul of
hnhnp. anh .\noi'{iPS I h*m*ral to proianh hp woiiM appppt
thi‘ iillirp of huih'p anh uitinlrap. hi a [ ipl ii-at ion fm* thp \ttonipy
< h'Urra 1. hip. Mr, Ihihhaih knfiuiny that hp ua. (o 1 h‘ jii thp ( ‘otm
oil anh a pprolipu* i inn ihat hr minht Ih’ piihrirra :ph h\ an applipa
tioii from Woohworth hail writtm numi Ipltm* i*\pi(‘ in;^*; h: . prt‘f«'r
pitpp for ijjp lor till* oilipr in ((m*-{lon ami [htalr^iu/r hinrihf fo <.'otp
in u\\ fa\or. ’Thi !ip lipnmht wtmhi fiirni h him \\\i\\ a at i faptmw
ansuri' lo all impm t unit i<v , 1 (ojik thi Iptlta* from my hp k, anh
a rpn' rrnhui! inn' Mr. Sanl’orh (if my ant ipipat ions, i’\piainph it ism
IphIs anh poimiairmn ta Mr. llnhhanl ilip improprit*fy of wriiinn’
ii oUVrpil to I'ptnrn it to him with a hi^plaratiim that I >honlh in. i t
t»n lii: votinp* hir \VtaHhv»it‘tln anh on hi rrMiiriim; to rpppi\p it. I
tlirrw it itjto tlii' firis I tlipii (ohl him that 1 ua-. (jppo.ph to lh<i
proposrh imwpa p <tn Ihp Ihanhi Upon prim’ipha anh that if 1
not 1 poiilh mw tf ♦•iiii- piif to Jippoii tin*, nipasurp all»a’so protlin’atp
a prop*» iiP'ii hah hrm atfarinal to it, am! rptpip. tisl Mr, linhharh
lo iiifoiiu W omlwMiih that if a nnnannpiit in that «liriM*ti(m wa - tinnlp
in thi* >pnatp h\ any t>f hi. friptnls, I wonhl r(‘pi*al fiaan my ]>1:ipp
MS. i. iK at}.
Ai’i’dr.K HUiAi’i n oi-' Mwvris van: nniiKK.
00
1 li I It'i' hn a 1 inii". t i » t hi* ( <o\‘r rnni\ mjk 1 « Irnniiinu' 1 1 k* | )r<>|)()S('(l n
;is <’< jrrtq j( . K iiiqrh* ■’ 1 1 i‘t 1 u as u iiohlr 1 u';u*IimL (M\( husins(.i(‘
:iiul ronliiiiuL'; tuini ami 1 hrmiivli (jualilii's lit* was lia.I)lc
.-.(jnu‘1 inu’s h» ht* ml hoi hy <i(*. (U'rsoiis, wliilsl his nuidvcs \v<‘r(‘.
always ( an<| ‘ashTuii,'..* Ih* was a /t'tiloiis rr!(*ml of mini*, aiul
\h: I liavt* alraaily sah! 1 h‘ was nearly e(mn(‘e|i*i! with Wood worih
( hi ; sister lia \ in<': l'(om \\'u<Hlw(jr(h's (irsi wile, I lu‘rK‘\‘t‘) and I was
nnwilliu;*- that In* slmtdtl gratify his rei*!inui;s at- tlu* expt'nsi*. of a
rii|}tMre uilh his rejafrNe. 1 therefore in ila* i n’(*s(*n<‘<‘ (d* Mr. San
foi’d, t'ejuaited my de. ire that hi* would take the eoiiiv-i* I liail at- lii‘si.
reioannieiided. He an- wei’eil tliat he was desirous lo pre.-eiA'i* the
frh’iid hip of Mr. ^\*o(^^| w<irtli, and eoiild not at tin* moment stiy how'
i'ar he uiijdit i»e iiulneed to o ; mwe him, hut ( hat imlhinL»; on t*art h
roiihl indui’e him to i,>’i\-i« a \n(i* that would defi'at my a ppolAinamt-.
After uiyinn iPun faiiheron the point we paried, A few days later
he ealhol at my romn in hiidt rpirih- and told me that hi* had tin-
ho otunl him. elf to tj<»\ernor 'r<jmpkins who had readily relii'ved
him hy ( he a -lira nee t hat if there w as- a tie in the ( ’ouneil he won hi
l<e nia<! of (h«* ffpporlnnity to ‘>’i\e llie eadin/.*.’ vole in my fa\'or he
ean .e he (hoU‘’ht me etititleil (o (he pla<‘e and heeause he kiK'W that-
the ri*ople de Ired that 1 slioldtl have it.
d he pr:e'liee of th<’ (‘oniieil had always heen to nu'el at lla* tinx'-
ernor' Idiom, and to eommenee and tini:>h their pr<ieei*din‘‘'s there.
It wa ^ now propo. ed and ayreeil io lind they should hrsi iiieel at
tln‘ir ow ti ^oom^; in the eily, and a.e:ree upon what, they W(‘re to <!o,
ami then i*'o lo the thoernorV. olliei* to reeonl (heir (te{‘isions. d'he.
de le'ti iloithth* ; wa- to h“ en lh<* inlhieiiee td* tin* (io\'{‘rnois Inil-
(lii.. wa.--* imt :ai:.j»eeled hv Mlmi'udorir atid I)ay(om A inoia* aetive
or a more liidomitaide ? pirit than dtidyv Spi’nei*rVi m‘Vi‘r (‘xistiMl.
deeply tdVemled hy I hi* ehoiee of Senator, ami seeing in ( lu* resiill,
a.s hi' Ihon^id, a desi^pt oti (lu‘ part of tin* voting num <d‘ the party
to east olV his {‘oni rol o\ er its net ion, he liad didmanimal not. to eom
tent liimself with my ilelVat, hut hml (’arefnily pri'panat a hlow' with
whi<‘h (<► assail us in an nm‘Xpee|ed ijuarti'r.
I was eiipi^ed to ilitie with my edd frieml Matthew' tir{‘o;<u‘v <m
the day ap])ointed fur th(‘ first meefinir td’ (he (‘oiineil, and on my
w a \* to his honsi> I mi'l. Ilnhhard, Seeing; in his speaking' eounlen ■
;me(‘ iiidietdions (d‘ distress; I (‘lejuiri'd after the (amse, and, in reply,
he ^;av{‘ nil* a hislorv of (he proc(‘etlinav. oT tlu*- (’oiineil at. theii' in
hirmal meeliim*, whieli had ju:l hroken np. On my nomination tlume
laid heen a tie; IxlmendortV and Dayton voting' for me, and St ran
ahan and hiins(‘lf for \Vnodworth, hut- (’oh ^'(> 111 )^^^ nomlnaliom as
Secretary (d’ S(a(i‘, in i'eqie<'l t-o whieli no tjui^stion liad h{*eii raisial
* A aui'LU'rm t.-himu-n r i-. r.ivi-a by ilumuioiul, .1, Jiaa, note, — w. v. r.
t)i’ w:is i*x|uM’h*iK luii! lnn*n L niul h:i‘l
upon. 1 lu'jtviriMl him in i,*’!) at nma' tn Mi*. Saiilnr*! ami t(»
nslv his i^lttaM^‘rt*n^•t^ Ih' ati - ns nrril fhat it \v«juhl h<‘ u fl'' , a Mr.
|)aylnnV: pimla haii lu*i*n a”*siilt’tl aiul hi: iniml pf(‘jutli«‘r«l i>\ m iuiia
(inii- that lu* wa> Satirnni's rt'pn'MMit at i vt* in thr (*<»uiimK anti any
appnal I’rnm (hat «|uar(nr WiUihl (lima’fnt'r ilu innr\‘ liarui th:ni ‘ninh;
ami any athnnpt tn arrc.-t tlu* appnintnHmt in thi* artt-rnnnM, at tlm
ri*i.nihir iimniina* nf t!u* (’nunrih hi* tlnuiL’'ht wmihl In* uua\ ishnn
M) that all la* hah tn ho was tn upjn'i n (’nh \’nun^ nf wliat hah Inaai
hnim. rltihp' Spriu’iT hatt fnrlhtTmnrr ipiintly npnratml iip»tn Mr,
Mlim'iihnrir, whn hah actnh uitli him sn Inn^that Im muhl imt ifln •*
tn ^rratify him in rt*^arh (n lln* appnintnamt nf hi* frimnl Jrnkm ,
as a r nrf nf pnani* nilVriiUf; fnr tlu* huhm''.s hi' appnint mnaf mi flu*
I jiir.'h inn nf Srwatm*. \\knnnh‘ii hy fhlsn**aih 1 \s as .utlimimt 1 v if t
h'.^'S at till* hinnrr tahh* tn attract th * attnatinn nf tin* ( ‘mupan^ , vhtt»
Vi*ry naturally attrihutnh my an\irty tu my own airuii*. W’hht* 'rrL
iiiii: nhith', as nmn nftan hn imhiT simh rimum. t;un*r In ln*»!, r*' msi
nf tlu‘ winhnw, I saw Iluhharh mi his wav tn tin* ( ‘numa!. hfa*
siyrht nf him su^pshiHl an ihru whirh I put inln In taut
( aHiiijLi’ rlnhi*:n Atwatur (a hrntlu’r Simatnr) frnm tlm t.ilht* t.. !?if*
lialh I inrnrUKMl him nf thr cnmlitinn nf tliiiiLr, ami lua.nn-h hmi t«»
fnllnw llniihanh whn was still in \ irw, anh ti» a k him fr«mi i.tf in
rinminatr Fntm’ Ih Pnrt^'r fnr Srarntary nf Stjiti*/ fht* mnm*-ui f!?r
(Mnimil was nr‘i;ani/a‘th anh tn prrsi.-t in his nnminnfinii nnul
hah a vn(i‘ tipnii it. AtwatiT rrturmal ami rrpnrtrh that Im Imh «wrr
takrii Iluhharh at tlm ( hn'ru'unr's hnnr, anh that hr hat! pr*«nn »-h f**
(tn what was risjurstiMh 1 tlu*n askisl tlm *luh<.m tn ‘»n in thr l\i‘h-'
h^nmriu wlan'r Pnrtrr hah (Hily arriv'd tlm rvrihnir iM'fnir. n» iuhnui
him nf what hah hrmi hnm\ tn ask him to arri^pt, ami. if lir hst isa,
as we ^u[>pn:rth hrsiiH* tin* plari\ tn Imlh tin* nllirr until wr imilh ir
rn\(‘r niii' nTniimh aiih nhtaiu tlm app(untmrnt of ^ «»un^^ Hr hsi
>n, anh PmMrr rrailily rnnsrUhsL h’ht* (‘nnnril rrmuim-tl m imu
until inihniL^hl, nrrtipii'h almn.h m‘t*ry mnmmit nf (hr tiinr wnh
liritutinns ami riummst rnurrs, ahhrrsM‘tl In llnhhartl hy In r*h
!rajL;'m'S, tn huhua* him tn withdraw hi ; unmiuaiinu, W'lr ii tkf i
fnuml (WiU'V attempt nf that rharartrr iiuavailintx Pnrtrr wa a|»
pnintril hy a mianimnus vote. I'lm (ii*nrra! hah fnin.hil ^Mll.infly'’
in ih<‘ War. ami nn his arrival at. Alhany Ijrrumr tin* limi «*f thi^ hay,
hrnkiii: , on tlu* ntlmr luinh, luul luhh a lurrati\(‘ appihmtmrat in tiir
(kaumis'sirv I depart immt, withont personal expn.aire tn haiiMrr.
I wa^ riL’Iu in sUppnsiim^ tiuit (In* (Mnnril wmihl mU \rmnr«*
(n lejiai rmler, unhiu* snrh eireumslaiier'., in favm* nf hfihnn .
hlie appoint inriit was, nf emuv.e, a surpri^'e upon (werv hf»h\, and
t lu IfllM'r uf .lu»'c»|i KiU!<CU \‘an Ul*IKNHl*l.’l«T, H lUMVril w. e t
AUTOBIOGRAPHY OP MARTIST YAH BUREH.
71
a source of deep mortification to Jiidg-e Spencer. The appointment
of Jenkins under existing circumstances was an atFair he had an-
ticipated with delight and exultation, the expression of wliich would
luu^e speedily followed the action of the Council. Governor Tomp-
kins was in favor of Young, and told me afterwards that he had
heard from one of the members what had been agi'eed upon at the
informal meeting and was much mortified by it. He said that at
that moment lie was called out to receive Gen. Sti^on^f, of Vermont,
who had served with distinction in the War, and that he detained
his visitor longer than he would otherwise have done to gain time
for reflection, in the hope of being able to devise some scheme to
save Young; hut he returned to the Council without a plan, when
I-Icibbard’s motion presented him with a way to escape.' Pointer
held the office for a year, and resigned it whilst I ivas detained at
Hudson by sickness in my family, when Young was again dis-
appointed thro’ influences of which I need not speak.
The Governor deferred giving his casting vote upon the appoint-
ment of Attorney General until another day. when he promised to
give it at his office in the Capitol. When that day arrived, Judge
Woodivorth and mj^self were invited to dine with his brother-in-
law, the Patroon; and Woodworth came late to dinner, having waited
to ascertain the result of the Governor’s action. VJien he came in
Gen. Van Rensselaer, who knew in advance, asked him provokingly
who was Attorney General; a question that he was obviously not
happy to answer.^
Peter B. Porter was a man of prepossessing personal appearance,
good address and fine mind. lie was fortunate and, in no inconsider-
able degree, successful as well in the field as in our national Coun-
cils during the War, and yet he was at no time popular with the
masses. The reason was a general conviction that the acquisition
of wealth was his master passion, to which eveiy other was made
1 ]Mr. Va.n Vecliten was, of course, removed from the office of attorney genci'al, and
Mr. Van Buren was appointed his successor. This appointment was made by the casting
vote of the governor. Mr. Elmendorff and Mr. Dayton voted for Mr. \ an Buren, and
Messrs. Stranahan and Hubbard for Mr. John Woodworth. The circumstance is too
trifling to deserve notice, except as an evidence of a jealous feeling which then began to
exist between Judge Spencer and Mr. Van Buren. I do not impute the vote of Hubbard
to the influence of Judge Spencer. Mr. U. was from Troy, and Judge Woodworth had
many and powerful friends in that place, and in Mr. Hubbard’s district. This accounts
well enough for the vote of Mr. Hubbard. But Stranahan had no personal partialities
nor any influential friends, in his district, in favor of Woodworth ; on the contrary, they
were for Van Buren. The truth is, Stranahan, at that period of bis political life, was
much if not entirely, devoted to the views of Judge Spencer. I apprehend that Judge
Spencer perceived that Mr. Van Buren wa.s acquiring a greater influence in the State
than the judge desired ho should possess, and, therefore, persuaded Mr. Stranahan to
endeavor to defeat his appointment. From this period, down to 1S17, when Mr. Clinton
was nominated for governor, Mr. Van Buren and Judge Spencer, though both of them
actin- with the Republican party, and in good faith too. were very much inclined bo
thwart the individual views of each other.” Hammond, History of Political Parties m
the State of New York, I, 302. — W. C. F .
72
AMERICAISr HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION.
subsidiary. A partial illustration of this trait ivas exhibited in a
transaction with which I was connected. Whilst we were holding
the respective offices of Secretary of State and Attorney General, he
proposed to me to unite wdth him in the purchase of an outstanding
Class .Right with a view to its location on Goat Island, at the head
of the Niagara falls. I assented, and advanced him half the con-
sideration money. The location was made, and no opposition or
objection was raised to the completion of the title. But when it was
found necessary to have the proceedings confirmed by the Commis-
sioners of the Land Office, of which Board we were members, the
objection to our being parties to any speculation that required such
a step presented itself to my mind. I stated it to him and he laughed
at ® what he called my fastidiousness, at the same time saying that
if I persisted in it he would be too happy to return me my money —
about a thousand dollars — and to take the whole purchase himself.
I did persist, and he made a very considerable fortune out of the
transaction.
Judge Spencer’s feelings were somewhat soothed by his success in
obtaining the removal of DeWitt Clinton from the office of Majmr of
New York. Mr. Hammond ^ is right in assuming that I took no part
in that matter. My friend Mr. Elinendorff could not have been in-
duced to vote for it by any other consideration than his desire to save
the Governor from the necessity of giving the casting vote — other-
wise unavoidable, as Hubbard could not be brought to vote for the
removal.
Mr. Clinton retired to his place at Flushing, to which he had often
been sentenced in advance by Judge Spencer during their quarrel.
Here lie rusticated for two years, when strange to say he was recalled
to public life mainly thro’ the instmmentality of his imperious
brother-in-law.
Mr. Elmendorff was always an anti-Federal politician without
variableness or the shadow of turning, and an old school Dutchman,
immovable, obstinate and imperturbably good natured. He was a
member of Congress as far back as the days of William Cobbet in the
United States, and received from that caustic censor the sobriquet of
“ The bird of wisdom.”
The opening of the session of 1816 was marked by one of those
occurrences that shew the facility with which men acting as a body,
are led to confound power with right, and to do things that in their
individual capacity they would regard as disgraceful. Experience
has demonstrated that whenever distinterested justice is obtained
from one Community — ^whether a great nation or a petty municipal-
ity — in behalf of another, it is due to the individuality and consc-
® MS. I, p. 95.
1 rolitical History of New York, I, 397.— W. C. F.
Ar'n)i;i(H;i:Ariiv ok maktin' yak iuhikk.
73
rrspnusihility of (hosi* wluy jici*. foi’ it; i,l\o snl)stilllt ion of luo-
iivps (if snllisli ad v;iii(a<»:t‘ fop (host* of faiiMU'ss and is the. cliar-
a(‘ltM’is{ it’ td' soult'ss oorj )ora( ions t)(‘ all kiiuls, and ptditictil parties
ariv vtM‘V lialdt’ (o lu‘C(anc similarly dtanoi'ali/tal.
At (lit‘ (dct’lion for nu’ni'htn’s oT (lit* Htmst*. of Assonildy in Ontario
Ooiiidy, IltMiry Iddlows, tin*. IVtltn’al, was olrarly clioscn over .Peter
Alien, 1 !h‘ republican cantlidale, it a Tew votes, in retiirnini>; which the
pi'opcr ollicer had ahbiMn'iaied his name and wrilten “ lien. Fellows”,
wtu’c a! lowetl lo him. ddie ( dtM’k of i ht*. ( k>nnty, be.iin»; a uun’t*. ministtn’iat
ollicer, ^’avt* ila* ctu'l ilicalt* of t'lecl.ion to Allen, wlu) a|)peartHi and
was pnitlilitMl, as (here wa^> no propt'r tribunal toi' (hi* ilt'cision o( the
(jiic-dion nidil (la* I louse was ori!;ani'/t'tl. d'he momtud- (hat was
done, lAdlows applital io In* admiKed. 'Thai; his rieip, would be idti-
maiidy established no oii(‘ doubled, bill' Iht* <|ut*^:tion was whtdlu'.r
lli(‘ in\{’slio’;iiioi) ;d)onl<! tain* place ht'l’ort* or al'tt'r Ihe choict*. of th(^
(doiincil of A ppoiid mtml. Wbl h Alh'ids volt^ we. could the
( oiini’il if h'ellows was ilesi- adniiiled, it would bt* ai»*ainsl. us. It
IS dillicull lo reali/a* (he. itlira (hat a. yri'at ]>ar(y woultl allow itselt
lo (al<i‘ advan(ae:t‘ of an aecidcnial circumstance such as 1 ha.vt*,
dt'scrilH'd, (o secure, (o itself a patronage, (hen sui)posed (o amount
(o a million ofthdlars. l>u(. wt*<lid il, and (hei'c was not (he sli^hitvst
doui)(. (hal. (he olliei* sidt* would have done, (lit* same Ihiii'r if Hit*,
ci rciimsl a nces lia<l been rcN’ei’sed. h'ellows was admllit'd it> Isi.s S(‘at
imnuslialely aflci* (ht^ choict* of (he. (\)nncil, wilh only out* disst'ut inii,'
\'oice. AKlioui*'!) nol a member of ilial. houst' 1 was tpiil.i*. as much (o
bhum* in (he mailer as if I had aided (ht* slrj) tlirt'clly, as 1 was
piH‘ss(al foi'ward by my political tissociales (o (akt*. a more aclivtv
part in (ha(. body than was proper; so much so (hal. Pe.l(‘r A. Jay, a,
1‘etlt'ral itaidt*r in (he Asst*ml)ly, of due lahmls and ^avat personal
woith, havine^ieeasion in dehale lo refer to a. demoeralit’ inemln'r
svilh whom 1 happimed a(. tin* moment io ht* eo}i v(‘r.sinf*', and a ir(‘.e.l,in;y>’
(o forget his parliamentary {lesi;^•nation, (‘xelainuMl, mean (he
^’entlt'inan avIio always speaks with tlu*. Alt.mau'y (o'lu'ral at' his
(dhow !” My then ivcent InsuiTeethm a..<i:ainst him would prevent, my
attemj>tin/i; to s(*reen my own (le.lim|uent*y, luuh'r iJu* samdion and,
of eourst'., hearty eo-opei’ation of my <|uondam friend Jnd^’e Sptmeer,
in the whole airair*. d'lit* east* was in (rnlh one ol (host*. ahus(*.s ol:
jjower lo which parties art* subject, hut which 1 am snrt*. 1 <*onld lu'.ver
a<2;aiii he induced lo coiinl(*nanct‘,‘
I was at tills (ilia* | bsl(>| rc tdt*.ctcd to Hu* State Semvtt*. hy a. la.r/ie
majoi’ily, nol wit hsiaudino* a. factious opposit iim in our rauivs i)y
tlud/j;'e Sptmccr'r^ connect ions act iuL»- htiwcver wit hout liis a pproba-
Hom No one sooutu’ pm‘ct*ived than himself Hiai (he polilical sccplrt*
> 'rids iKil!ll«':il Im I’nlly In IlnmniuTjtl, I, -Ha. S*m‘ jilso \ .W'v :nul
(;!t)rr{'HiKj}uhMi«‘«‘ ol' Uulus Kin:.*;, nUl. SV. K,
74
AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOGIATIOilo
tliat lie had swayed so long in State affairs Avas dropping from his
hand, and finding his power threatened by a body of spirited young
men on AAdiom his arts of seduction and intimidation had been equally
tried in A^ain, he looked about for assistance. With this object he
turned his attention, as no man but himself would haA^e thought of
doing, to Mr. Clinton. It was said, and I belicA^e truly, that he con-
sulted Gen. Armstrong on the point and that the latter remon-
strated earnestly against the proposed step. I met him on the steamer
on our way to attend the Term of the Supreme Court at New York,
shortly after my re-election, Avhen he took me aside immediately
and assured me that so far from having countenanced the opposition
of his friends to my election he had done all he could to prevent it.
I begged him to give himself no uneasiness on the point as my friend
Chief Justice Thompson had informed me to the same effect during
the canvass, and I Avas very certain besides that he was wholly in-
capable of such conduct. He then ]oroceeded to remark upon the
happy results of the election throughout the State, and the uses ayc
ought to make of our success ; spoke of healing wounds and the im-
portance and advantage of an harmonious party. Having had an
inkling of Avhat was in the wind I could, without difficulty, place
the true construction on such unusual observations from him. I
replied therefore that no one knew better than himself how Avell sucli
sentiments corresponded with my own, and that he might safely
count on my co-operation in all measures directed to that end, pro-
vided that they did not lead to such abrupt changes in our conduct
and opinions, without a coiTesponding change in circumstances, as
might impair the confidence of the People in our sincerity and cause
them to belicA-e that Ave were making a game of politicks, and play-
ing it to serve our personal purposes. He said, certainly! that
should be borne in mind, and the subject was dropped, but without
the slightest idea on his part of abandoning his ^Durpose; that he
never did, when his mind was once set on a faA^oidte object. We
lodged at the same house in New York, and the matter alluded to on
the steamboat furnished the occasion of many early Avalks together
on the Battery. Finding that he could not prevail on me to become
a party to the Movement he contemplated, he one morning halted
suddenly in our promfenade and facing me, exclaimed, with some
feeling, “Why, You are a strange man! When I wanted to have
Mr. Clinton removed, you were, in point of fact, opposed to it, and
now that I want to bring him back you are opposecl to that also 1
I replied that I was not opposed to Mr. Clinton’s restoration to the
confidence of the party if it was brought about naturally, and facili-
tated by his own conduct, but that I could neither approA^e nor co-
operate in the sudden and uiiAvise way in AAdiich he proposed to bring
it about, which could not fail, I thought, to have the effect I had
AtrTOBIOGrtAPHY OP MABTIA" VAK 75
tilliiciGcl to' iji our first couvGrsatioii. ^Ye were invited a few diivs
after this to dine with Jacob Barker, then a great banker in Xew
Yoik, aftei'wards a lawyer in New Orleans, and everywhere and in
every situation an extraordinary man, and always my personal friend
altho’ never my co-adjutor.
1^ roni his habitual devotion to Judge Spencer and his ambition to
take part in such afiairs, I was quite sure that tliis was a movemeut
in furtherance of the Judge’s project,- and that we should meet
Ml*. Clinton at the dinner. On my way to the residence of Mr.
Barker, in Beekman street, accompanied by Chief Justice Thompson
and Judge Yates, I asked them whom they expected to meet. They
mentioned several names, to which I added that of De Witt Clinton.
Why, Spencer is to be there ! ” exclaimed they, and “ that is the
very reason ! ” I responded. I then explained to them what was
going on, wdiich surprised them gl•eatl3^ Mr. Clinton was the only
guest present when we arrived. He had come in from the countrjq
and I observed was plainly and rather carelessly dressed. We met
him and were received by him very kindly. After a few moments
Judge Spencer made liis apx^earance, which caused some embarrass-
ment on the f)art of all present. Although there was no direct
recognition between him and Mr. Clinton, neither ° any conversa-
tion at the table between them, addressed to each other, they talked
at each other through the rest of us in subdued and conciliatory
terms. They had an interview in the evening of the same day, as I
have always understood, at the residence of Dr. John A. Graham,
and were formally reconciled. On the Friday following the Chief
Justice called on me and informed me that, as the Court were to
adjourn on Saturday, Judge Spencer had taken leave of his brethren
and was going to Albany that afternoon. As the Legislature were
to meet on the succeeding Monday for the choice of Presidential
Electors we conceived his object and sending my papers to a friend
by the hand of the Chief Justice, I packed my trunk and met the
Judge and Mr. Clinton on the steamboat. Their familiar intercourse
was matter of amazement to the uninitiated. Mr, Clinton left the
boat at Newburgh, and I believe only made his appearance on it as
an expedient demonstration preparatory to what was contemplated
further. Very soon after he had left us Judge Spencer invited me
to an interview in the small after cabin, when he opened his budget.
He pro]:)osed that Chief Justice Thompson and Mr. Clinton should
be placed on the Electoral Ticket as Electors for the state at large;
that I might say which should stand first, and that he would pledge
himself that Mr. Clinton should vote for Monroe for President and
for Tompkins for Vico President, Wlien I declined to come into
«MS. I. p. 100.
Ilii* iii'i'anp-UH'Ut In* lirruini* iiiucli cxi’ilrtK ainl sa’hl that niy tiinvilV
iiiiiiu' ti) a mna* fiuanal tli liin’tinn nf lhal rharaatrr on
.Mr. t’lmtnii lM‘ii*a\ril a Nmlcnaa uf party that ha rniiM imt.
ha\a from uja. I ri^plitHl, witluait raariiuinaruai tlial In*
iiiivtiii'hT CtHHl luy inntivr-: that iF thaiH* iio u!lt‘ri(ir piii’inisi*,
I Wnuh! IHil t>l»jaal tu tin' t’hniaa oF Ml', (‘liulnn as lu‘ prupu ail. hill
that 1 it was his iuii*iiti<m to briny; Mr. (Tuiton Foruai’tl as
t hi* i'ainrnlali* Fni* ( iii\i*rnnr, to .supply tlu* \aaanay that \va . i‘\}n‘ali*il
tnari a Fiauu t ha alaatinu tiF (JtA’. I'lniipkius (a llu* \'iia‘ Pra iilaiiay;
ami that as I wuiiKl ha opp<isail ti> that slt‘p ha wuuhl thinF; nia
v.aak iiulartt if I Walt* to (‘cuiM'ut to a ] U’al i lu i lui 1 ’ V a rra Up anu*iit
ila ii'Uah to | U’tUuota itP
( )F I'niir i*. 1 F ha had u<» suah intant itui my t'nur.sa wmihl hi* di tFaraiit.
Ua a . too triithFiil ti> daisy thi s and imiuailiatal\ turiiad tha ann
\ar aiioii upiui lha main (jiiaNtiun. lia a;-.ki‘d ina. with hi prTuliarly
ansphafi'- isiaunar. \.hy I oppa ad tln^ muninalinn td‘ Mr. t Tmlaiu
" t a S* J 8 iji'l tlj.a ••‘IS’ M; t’lisslMU luv fiiiSnl JU tlir v.hr il !:»• !>.mI nf
'! t as I I tl.»- Ih-i a-r. ..I S.si.Sl.jfiv n»-v..!i. ;a :iu»l i ii u t «■ .-u* ilS.i,;
hi: . '-a t.i . uUi i'rit ud > I'.n i: , ;? • ^.1 n .• I>* ;:«U.iln «’ U 8f |i iu III*' is* * 'Cssah Sir.r hf
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)-i fS<- 1 >»•' I'.U 'I'lsl.i i ; l»»i «itj n vul** Su •• Is'. .» lu «• n i h.jn '
IS-. :; I-Siii. i.s l lus 4 \||V* J 4 s!*>- 1 , n*. a'l. I h' ruin p .H>J» JS> . S.i Ihi.ta
KiJ;.., . s ‘
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!« iSaj'l* s :>-a.>k*t-a 8 h*- < ‘liufi iilun i.t’ ivlimn Sihiissi' w.i. Ih** i .*< *• i'-.Tl*'r. iiiul
fh. t "S-vv « : r a 1 i(i|slJj! 1 uitsi \ itn mui-ts, Ml 1,4, Stutn .hiiiss' i:iu«*i{ ■ a*l shia S»- , .'.i!.-
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npi-iisr ;j.*i: Hi Inlsiit
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fi-.! *■; f,- •'■i.-hS I Siti.u> ( S. 1' 17. Walls f Itount*. .hdin X's\u,, .hdai I I ’i » n*ls r ..i 8
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li : . ■' 1 isr: s'*. * a sr"a( iisdnt r.alnu'l. and ll .;s-i-in. (o nu* \n'. \ .in Ihas-n .and
I, i i p * • «'tl flu* psiU'iT, ulioiild liavs* pi s‘Vi n 8 «'il (Id i \Mt-aSis-r fS«-,
Si i*!*' ... ^ J* UnSi- *..>11 I ll' d's : 1 am liol .id vi':i*si.'’ Inirrli anrdiUli : llu Is* : Ilf
Uu' I'lnan il !o tin* "»na»is«»n " •*} futvi riior 'rs.inpl.hui. \V. t'. I*',
m
AUTOniOOKAPHY OP MAETTIST VAN BUREN.
77
niuK Mlt(4’ sovovnl ournost and iniprej^Rive remarks, said he would he
ri*s|)()nsil)1(' loi' Mr. Clinton’s good conduct towards me and my
Irii'iuls. 1 i’c|)lie<l with a like proffer of responsibility in favor of
( hici dibt i(‘{' d lH)n\))soin whom we then thought of nominating, on
wh'u’h fludg't* S|)tMicc.i- contracted his brow, rap])ed his snuff-box, as
lu‘ svus woni. to do when highly excited, and exclaimed “There, Sir,
you hav(‘ iouclied a coi:d that vibrates to niy heart! I was not
iguoraiii ilml- I exi)()se my conduct to unfavorable criticism by my
siKldtur I'tM’onclliation with Mr. Clinton, so soon after our violent
(|iiinTt‘l and ihe mii.ny severe, things I have vsaid of him, and I am
)io( :uiri‘ (hat 1 could liave brought siiy mind to that point had I not
known (ba( i(. was your intention to bring* that man forward, against
whom 1 hnvo. cniisi* for resentment that neither time nor circum-
slama's appease!” 1 knew very well, without farther explana-
( ion, wba(- lie referred to.
The discussion b<»tween the Judge and myself teianinatcd amicably
bill- fruit h'ssly. < )n our ap])roa(h to Albany lie resumed tlie sul)-
jeef, spoke, of his certain success with the Legislature, of the sure
re:.(oralion (rf Mr. ('liiitoii to power, ultimately, of his kind feelings
lownrds mi% of my age and prosp(u*ts, and of the iulluence upon Juy
ful nri‘ siu‘ci‘ss of my course on this occasion. He continued these
remarks indil (he, moment of parting.
\\V m(‘l s( 0 (U‘al times at llie rooms of ihe- Members, but had too
mueli self n‘s})(‘et to indulge in disputations on the subject in their
pre sence. One uv ihe oilier always retired, and left the field to his
oppoiuml, ami we. neviu” bad any dill'uadty in deciding whose turn
i( was lo <lo so. A fi'w hours lK‘rore the Canons he told me that they
wonbl cmd ainly have a majority of twenty; and I asked Mm whether
he wnuld do Ms (lu^. lionor to \’isit the Senate, Chamber when we ap-
pniu((Ml (In'. ICiud.ors, wliich was to be done on the next day. He
1 ( pHiMl “ Ckuduiuly ! ” I had no doubt that he had received loromises
from sevi'iad, wlio, tlio’ iii their hearts for Mr. Clinton, were not yet
[irc'parc'd to sup])ort him openly.
As soon as the Caucus was organized I submitted two propositions:
out', tliat the MtunlK'rs from each Congressional District should name
(li(‘. lOitHdur for theJr district, and another that the, two Klectoi’s for
dll' Si ale, at large, should be selected — one from the Southern and the
other from (be Wesieru Disti'ict. The first was the usual mode, and
(o (he S(‘C()iii! there, was no olijection, as both Mr. Clinton and our
candidate, ( ‘ol, Ibiigei-s, j'csided in the Southern District,. They
Iheri'fon*. bodi passed with perfect unanimity, .As soon as the mem-
bers bad ma,d(‘. and report.cd their district selections, I moved
(irompily tliat ihe two Electors from the State at large should be
(h'signal.ed in the same way — the one by the members from the South-
ern District, and the other by the members from tlie^ West. As the
members from the Southern district were nearly unaiiimous against
Mr. Clinton, this proposition produced a perfect ferment in the
meeting. The Clintonian leaders sprang to their feet, and contended
with each other for precedence in denouncing the proposition, which
they characterized by all sorts of hard names. They said that it was
aimed at Mr. Clinton — as if it could have had any other aim — that
it was unusual and unfair. A motion was made to amend it, so as
to provide for a vote for the. two Electors by ballot. Speech after
speech followed on their side — our friends naturally waiting for me
to defend my own proposition, and I to let the stoinn spend itself.
At the first pause I demanded the attention of the meeting as the
mover of the resolution, which I ought, in common courtesy, to have
been permitted to explain before it was so grossly assailed. The lead-
ers of the opposition finding that they had been too hasty, more read-
ily acquiesced in giving me a fair hearing. I then stated my object to
be to bring the question of Mr. Clinton’s appointment to a test by the
viva-voce vote of the meeting; that everybody kne^v that if my reso-
lution was adopted he would be excluded — those who were for his
exclusion voting for the resolution and those who were in favor of
his apf)ointment voting against it; that in ordinary cases there
might be no great objection to a vote by ballot, although it was always
preferable that those who represented others should vote openly, and
in this case there were circumstances that made the obligation to vote
openly imperative. No one could doubt that when we were elected
large majorities of our respective constituencies were decidedly
against Mr. Clinton, and the proposition to give him the proposed
proof of the restored confidence of the party was an affair of yester-
day — ^brought forward without consulting the People or the possibil-
ity of consulting them. I was bound to presume, from the aygU
knoAvn sentiments of our constituents, that the I'esult of our '\'ote
would be the same whether we voted by ballot, or viva voce and in
either case against Mr. Clinton, but if it should happen to turn out
otherwise, there would, of necessity, be great excitements in the
State — ^thousands would think that a March had been stolen on the
party — ^there would of course be a desire to Iviiow who had done it —
suspicion would be spread over the State, and the meeting owed it to
itself to save each member from the consequences of the acts of
others, which could only be done by an open vote on the resolution.
If a majority of the Afeeting were in favor of appointing Air. Clin-
ton, and should say so in an open and manly way, I would cheerfully
submit to the decision, but no right-minded man could, upon reflec-
tion, desire such a result without being at the same time willing to
bear the responsibility of it. After pressing these and similar con-
AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF MARTIH YAH BUREH. 79
siciGi ntions upon tlic rnGetiiig* I rBsnmGcl iiiy sGfit, and after a few sliort
spcocliGS oil the other side, the names of the members were called, and
tlici resolution was adopted by a majority of nineteen, and our Elec-
tors ivcre a,ppoiiited.
Judge Spencer did not keep his promise to come to the Senate
the noHt day, but appeared on the day after jaded and dispirited.
He had not, however, the slightest idea of giving np the contest,
but complained bitterly of the feeble manner in which their cause
had been sustained in the Caucus, although he said that while they
submitted to their present defeat, they would contest the nomina-
tion ° for Grovernor in the same way next winter and that he trusted
that ivo would also' acquiesce if they succeeded, to which I readily
agreed.
Legislative can enses were then, as has been shown, the regular
mode of nomination, but, feeling doubtful of their succcvss, the Cliii-
tonians commenced, at an early day, to elect delegates from the
Counties represented in the Legislature by federalists, intending
to claim seats for them in the nominating Convention.^ We fol-
lowed their example, but in those contests they had one advantage
over us tlnit we could neither prevent nor, in general, resist. The
federalists, exceiDt a small section called “the high minded” (who
brought but little aid from the masses) were favorable to Mi\ Clin-
ton. Having lost all confidence in their -own success, and feeling
assured that Mr. Clinton must ultimately come over to them, in
addition to their indirect assistance of his Cause, which we felt
everywhere, they sent to our Convention obscure men of their own
wdu) had no distinctive political character. In this way we were
defeated in a large majority of the federal counties. They also
obtained a preponderating influence, when the Legislature met, tho’
]iot an absolute control, over the new Council of Appointment, in
consequence o-f the inaction of Governor Tompkins, arising from
his situation as a candidate for the Vice Presidency, and in a short
tiiiie they obtained a complete ascendancy in respect to all ne\v ap-
pointments.
Several meetings were held to establish regulations for the organi-
zation of the nominating convention, and notwithstanding the mass
of influence that was brought to bear against ns, the Clintonians had
not yet obtained a majority of the Legislative Members. We resisted
the admission of delegates not members of either House on the
ground of precedent, and of the charge of federal interference, in
° MS. I, p, 105.
1 See Ilammoncl, History of Political Parties in the State of New York, I, 437. —
bU AMEETCAIT HISTOPJCx\L ASSOCIATIOjST.
regard to which we fortified ourselves with well authenticated factsd
After a protracted debate at one of these preliminary meetings, with
the reluctant assent of our friends, I proposed to abandon the elec-
tions that had been made, and to elect the delegates anew on the same
day in each county, at a time to be fixed, and in case of such an
arrangement being agreed to, to consent to their admission. This
reasonable offer was violently opj)osed, and motion after motion made
for an adjournment, which we were able to vote down. At mid-
night, Judge [Moak?] SAvart, the Chairman, a family connection of
mine, and a very upright nlaii, but one of the Congressional pro-
testers against the nomination of Mr. Monroe, and every inch a Clin-
'tonian, decided that the motion to adjourn was carried. Upon being
asked to state the vote on the motion, he replied, Avith great sim-
plicity, “ Fifty odd to forty odd ! ” As this was rather too indefinite
to be satisfactory, we demanded that the names of the members
should be called and the vote talven more exactl}^ This was done and
the result declared to be a tie. We finally consented to an adjourn-
ment. At the next meeting our proposition was accepted. The dele-
gates were again elected, and as Mr. Clinton had undoubtedly made
some taAmurable advance in public opinion, and the same infinences
AA^ere again applied, the election resulted as before. My oath, the
adjoining county and the small comity of Broome Avere the only
federal counties in the- State that returned anti-Clintoniaii delegates.
Then ensued one of those stamjycdei^ that sometimes occur in all
political associations; men running from a defeated partj^ like ruts
from a falling house. A numbei; of instances, some amusing and sons',
distressing, Avere presented of individuals, once ranking among the
firmest, iioaa^ abandoning us under A^arious but generally flimsy prt',-
tences. With both wind and tide in his favor and the Council oT
Apiiointment, that most formidable element of 2-)olitical strength
in those daj^s, to a very great extent under his control, Judge Spen-
cer soon made a “ jiracticable breach” in our Legislative defcnc‘es.
After much difficulty we had settled down upon Judge Yates, Avitli
his knowledge and virtual consent, as onr Candidate, and liis brother
Spencer immediately set himself at work to induce or force Yates to
decline, and succeeded. Only a few days before the Convention th('.
latter invited me to his room, and told me that he must decline. He
w’^as apparently entering upon explanations more or less elahorat(%
when feeling indignant as Avell as grieAnd by his conduct but Avith-
out asperity of manner, I said to him that it was unnecessary to
give himself that trouble, as Ave had prei^ared ourselAns for thc'.
^ ''J’Ihv reul point wa.s wiictlnn- the comities which. wc?re represented hy Federalist.s in
the Loffislature should scud delegates to the nominating convention. By resisting tlu'*
admission of delegates “not members; of either House” those Federalist countiG.s would
be withiout representation, and the Clinton support decreased. — W. C. F.
ATJTOBIOGEAPHY OF MAUTTX VAN BUEEN. 81
contingency, and would not be embarrassed by his declension. I
tlien shewed him a letter from a friend of Gen. Peter B. Porter,
giving his assent to be oiir candidate, if we desired it, and left him.
I^liad before this communicated my apprehension on the point of
1 ates firmness to Chief Justice Thompson, who scouted the idea.
At our separate caucus a Senator from the Southern district, Mr.
Crosby, with whom opposition to Mr. Clinton was an absorbing
passion, presented his venerable and imposing figure to the meet-
ing, and expressed a desire to ask a few questions of Mr. Van
Buren, if he had no objections to answer them. On receiving a
satisfactory assurance he asked for my opinion of the probable
result of the approaching Convention. I gave him my impression
in reg'ard to our numbers, and my reasons for fearing that these
would, under the circumstances, be diminished rather than in-
creased, and that consequently we must be defeated. This, he said,
was his own opinion, and he then desired to knovv’ whether in such
an eA^ent I AA^as Avilling to retire, Avith others similarly disposed, and
to put Gen. Porter in nomination. I ansAvered promply and de-
cidedly, “ No ! ’’ and after stating the part that Ave had taken in get-
ting up the convention, and our consequent obligation to accpiiesce
in the result, added that if we could be found capable of opposing
its decision for no other reason than because Ave found ourselves in
a minority, onr bad faith Avould reducq us from our present ele-
vated position as the main body, justly so regarded, of the P.epub-
licah party of the State, to that of a faction, like the Burrites and
LeAvisites, which struggled for short seasons and then disappeared
from the stage ; but that if, on the other hand, we cabnly pursued
a steady and consistent course— upholding the time honored usages
of the party and submitting to all that AVas done under them, until
we could regain the ascendancy in the usual way — and if Mr,
Clinton should, notwithstanding, subject his administration to
federal influences, as we all supposed he would, and as I thought
he Avould not be able to avoid doing even if he were so disposed,
we would soon have the power to oA^erthrow it, and to re-establish
the Eepublican party upon its ancient foundations. These views, I
added, were founded upon the assumption that the convention Avould
be organized with tolerable firmness, but if the majority committed,
in its organization, some act of Anolcnce, some palpable outrage that
would he apparent to all, I Avould consider the binding character
of their proceedings destroyed, and would in that case, and only in
that case, unite -with those who might be so disposed, retire from
the Convention, and appeal to the People thro’ the nomination of
Gen. Porter. Mr. Crosby then asked me to specify Avliat I would
regard as a proceeding authorizing the step he had proposed. I
1274S3'’— VOL 2—20 0
82
americait historical association.
answered that there were several cases of disputed seats in the
Convention, all of which, except one, might, I thought, he decided
against us without furnishing a ground of complaint of the char-
acter required. The exception was that of the Dutchess County
delegation. There were serious objections to the regularity of the
choice of our delegates, but for the admission of the Clintonian
delegates there was no ground or pretence whatever. If the con-
vention rejected our delegates and admitted the others I would
be ready for opposition. Mr. Crosby, who religiously believed that
there was nothing the Clintonian majority would not do to obtain
power, declai’ed himself entirely satisfied, and our caucus dissoDed.'
In cleciding on the representation from Dutchess the Convention
took up first the case of our delegates and rejected them. It then
proceeded to consider the claims of the Clintonian delegation, and
the leading members from the Federal counties, such as Gideon
Granger, John Woodworth, and Nathan Williams, made animated
speeches in favor of their admission.
Our friends generally, and I among the rest, deeming the de-
cision certain, took up our hats to repair to the Senate Chamber to
nominate Portei’, but the affair was destined to a different denoue-
ment. Perley Keyes, a Senator on our side, and, tho’ a plain farmer,
a man of very rare sagacity, and Dr. Sargeant, long a distinguished
Republican member, a sincere man, but drawn by special circum-
stances into the Clintonian ranks where he had become a leader,
lodged at the same hotel. After the separate caucuses, Avhich had
both been held with closed doors, broke up, Senator Keyes invited
the Doctor to a friendly consultation, and communicated to him
confidentially what we had decided to do, and the latter agreed to
exert all his power to prevent a rupture in the party by rejecting
both sets of delegates from the county of Dutchess. I saw then
together several times behind the Speaker’s chair, during the debate
but had no idea of the subject of their conversation; Keys, it after
wards appeared, having sought these interviews to strengthen th
Doctor’s nerves under the violent ° outpomungs that came from hi
side. Dr. Sargent waited until the debate was drawing to a closi
when he made, as he was very capable of doing, an able and effertir
speech against the admission of their delegates, dwelling mainly o
the probability that their admission might break up the conventioi
and the folly of thus endangei-ing the cause, when they had
sufficient majority of undisputed votes. Not one of the newl^’^ cloctc
delegates voted with him, but he carried a sufficient number of tho
» Tile convention was elilU at tlie Capitol 25 March, 1817. “ MS. I, p. 110.
AUT(JBi()(;TiAi>irY (w MAirrm vak btjren.
83
wlio (o his ])arty in Iho, Legislature to carry tlie question,
'Tlu^ iK'xl luorniug the ])riucipal part of the New York delegation,
incliuling a man of so luueh moderation as John T. Irving, called
on nu‘ and insistiah without assigning any new reasons, that I
sliould still nnit^^ with them in nominating an opposing candidate.
d1u‘ inMH‘plion (hat 1 gave to this application otfended them, and my
political (‘andh‘ was thus lighted at both ends. Mr-. Clinton was
nomiuatial ami eUad.etl by an immense majority.
CHAPTER VI.
The Year 1817 was distinguished by the first and settled coininit-
ment of the State to the Canal policy that has since been proseciil.i*d
with such signal success. It is not to be denied that a large majority
of the prominent men of the political party to which I belonged were
very decidedly opj^osed to this policy. They i^egarded it, with few
exceptions, as impracticable, and as brought forward princii)iilly
thro’ the influence of Mr. Clinton, at the most depressed perioil of
his political career, with views rather to his own than to the int(u*esi
of the State. As to the fii'st objection there was room doubtless for
an honest difference of opinion, but it must also be admitted thu!
their prejudice against Mr. Clinton, personal and p>olitical, in soim*
degree disqualified them from forming a safe opinion upon the sul^'
ject. I did not in the least doubt that Mr. Clinton hoped to adviuu''^
his political interests by the agitation of the question, btit 1 i
not concur with my friends in finding in that conviction suHicii'ii"
ground for opposing the measure itself, if its prosecution should up
pear to me practicable and beneficial to the State. A Bill aiitlmi ir
ing the commencement of the Erie Canal passed the House of Asst-Ui
bly at the previous session and came to the Senate near the cdose. of :-r
The necessary information not having in my opinion been ob(aiu‘
to justify its passage I moved, successfully, that all the chiuse-^ »
the Bill that authorized the commencement of the work should
stricken out, leaving only the section making an appropriation
further surveys and estimates. Mr. Loomis, a Western Senator, aii. !
friend of Mr. Clinton, but moderate in his politics, aiul an rrth - ^
advocate of the Canal, on its own merits, admitted that the I
had expressed in support of my motion were entirely correct.. I ^
heve that he voted with us, but am certain that he was contL'nl v. .
the result, and I well remember the satisfaction he expressed I
had not fallen into the error so prevalent in both parties — (liur .
looking upon the measure with eyes chiefly directed to its ])o!irL /;
bearings.
VTien the Bill was before us at the next session the no(‘e ,
information had been obtained, and Judge Hammond (in Ills •:
cal History) does me simple justice in the credit he concedc's t**
for the influence I exerted to secure its passage.^ My brotlun*-iti t .
iTliis measure was adopfecl iu the rioiise by a vote of CA to HO, the mjijr»rln • • •
composofl mainly of the followers of Clinton and some Federalists. In Duf Si-tj;*; ^
bill rceeived 18 votes in its favor, and 0 in opposition. “There were five s«‘niHi.;.
were zealous anti-Clintonians who voted for the bill. IVrhaps it is not lnt» uo
say, that this result was produced by the efficient and able efforts of Mr. \‘an I*,
who was an early friend of the measure.’’ Hammond, History of I»ollticaI Jhttf.
the State of New York, I, 441. — W. C. F.
84
AUTOBIOGBAPHY OF MABTIFT VAN BUREN. 85
benator Cantine, a very ardent politician, and a pure man in public
and in private life, supported it earnestly. I believe our adverse
votes would have caused its failure, but am quite certain that we
could, if so inclined, have defeated it with the greatest ease. I made
an elaborate speech in its favor, of which a report was attempted but
acknowledged by its author Col. Stone, ^ (a life long political oppo-
nent) to be very imperfect — for which he assigned complimentary
reasons, saying that he had found it difficult to report me generally
from the rapidity and animation with Avhich I spoke, and that on
this occasion he was led to abandon the attempt by the great interest
he felt in the speech, and his gratification at its character.
I perhaps pressed the subject with greater earnestness because a
large majority of my political friends dilfered from me, and some
blamed my course. Mr. Clinton was in the Senate Chamber, and
listened x^ery attentively throughout, and altho’ it was only a few
weeks after he had obtained the nomination for Governor, which I
had so zealously opposed, and our personal intercourse was very
reserved, he approached me, when I took my seat, shook hands with
me, and expressed his gratification in the strongest terms. From
that period to the end of my employment in the service of the State,
I supported with fidelity and zeal every measure calculated to ad-
^^anco its Canal policy, and opposed as zealously, every attempt to
prostitute that great interest to party ixirposes.
My shrewd friend, Senator Keyes, who was ‘opposed to the Bill,
informed me that he intended to offer an amendment providing for
a branch canal from the main trunk to Oswego, in which place I
Avas largely interested, and that the success of the amendment must
dolmen d upon my vote. I remonstrated Avith him on the luikindness
of his course in seeking to connect my action upon so important a
subject Avitli my private interest, but told him that I should assuredly
vote against the amendment on that ground, if there Avas no other.
He notAvithstanding offered it; I A^oted against it, and it Avas de-
feated. The construction of that branch many years afterwards
proved of great advantage to the interests both of Oswego and of
the State.
After the signal triumph of Judge Spencer in forcing the nomi-
nation of Mr. Clinton upon the party I did not much regret the
necessity that presented itself to encounter him again at this session
in one of those political skirmishes for which his passion was in-
nate and insatiable, and in w^hich, if I often succeeded, it was be-
cause I consulted my judgement more and my temper less, and be-
cause I took greater care to be right. In consequence, of our respect-
^ W^’iHiam Xj. Stone, conductor of the Albany DaiU' Advertiser, a leadin'^ federal news-
paper, and later editor of the Commercial Advertiser of New York City.— W. C. F,
ou
AlVXJliHiUAlN JtlX&XUltiUiLLj A&^UUIAXlUiN •
able force in numbers and tlie preiDonderaiice of talent in our
torial ranks, conceded by Judge Hammond in liis Political ^
tory,^ at the time of Mr. Clinton’s election, we were not long
curing a majority in that body, which, tho’ generally willing to '
port such of Mr. Clinton’s measures as were not in themselves
jectionable, could not be regarded as politically friendly to hiin»
matters were left to their natural course it was not likely that
friends could improve his condition in this respect, and it
not strange therefore that an administration that owed its exist
to extraneous means, should find itself compelled to resort to
ilar appliances for its support. A case for this sort of interfeV
was presented in this its first year.
The seats of Mr. [William] Eoss, of Orange County, a Clintoi
and of my friend Mr. Cantine, of Greene, became vacant and '
to be filled at the next election. The particular counties in
District from which candidates for Senatorial vacancies shoul
taken were then designated at the seat of Government by the rc
sentatives of the District in both branches of the Legislature,
counties already named were fairly entitled to be, and would, n
ordinary circumstances, have been selected, but such a result v?
have left- things precisely as they stood, the one being favoi
and the other advei’se to Mr. Clinton. A project was ther<
started by Judge Spencer to give to the county of. Otsego, ah’
represented by Judge Hammond, a Clintonian, another Senate
the exclusion of Greene, on the pretence that by a critical exaii
tioii of the relative populatio-n of the counties composing the
trict, Otsego was better entitled to two Senators than Greene to
On my way to the meeting of the representatives of the Distri
the Capitol, I was confidentially informed by a personal friend
genm*ally acted with the Clintonians, that there had been pr
meetings of the members on that side, attended by Judge Spa
in which it was agreed to give the vacancies to Orange and Ot
I met Mr. Eoss, at the door of the Senate, in the act of leaving
place of our meeting, called him aside, and denounced in st
terms the intrigue of which I had jiivst been informed. He sai
had nothing to do with the affair. I to-ld him that could not
^ “ Mr. Van Bureu, of course, fdt a deep- interc&t in the choice of the council of aj
ment. His object would not be accomplished if men were placed in the council, a i
Ity of whom were decidedly hostile to the j^overnor. In that case the public wou
pute all the errors which miffht be committed, to the council, and judge of the ext
by his speeches. Nor was he willing that Mr. Clinton should have a council
would accord with him in all his views, and be subservient to his wishes. It woe
thought, be more desirable to form a council which the governor could not conU’<
for whose act.s the public would hold him responsible. In other words, Mi*. Van
wished to create a council which should be nominally Clintonian, but which, t
same time, should be really hostile to the governor. Partly by management, and
by accident, a council of the character last described, was actually chosen,” Ham
History of Political Parties in the State of New York, I, 457.— W. C. P,
aijtobiograpity of martin van bukrn. 87
be reconciled with tlie tact that some of the mcetina-s had boon held
in his room ; that if the perpetration of this outrage was persevered
in we would not support him, and that he knew ns well enough
to judge whether we would keep our word. He showed confusion
and alarm. Our meeting was soon after organized by placino* Gen,
T">elknap of Orange in the Chair— a waim friend of Mr. Clinton and
a very upright man. Judge Hammond, who was the leader on the
C lintonian side, and whom, judging from the candour and integrity
exhibited in his History of the times, it must have caused Judge
Spencer some labour to bring into the support of the contemplated
arrangement, moved that one of the Senatorial candidates should be
taken fiom Orange, in I'egard to which there was no dispute. I
moved to amend by adding Greene for the other, so that the question
should be taken on both vacancies at the same time. Judge Ham-
mond assigned plausible reasons against this coui'se, without ad-
mitting that there was any opposition to Greene, and without Imow-
ing that I had been apprised of their plans. After sldrmishing in
this way long enough to be satisfied that he did not mean to be more
explicit, I made a full statement of the information I had received,
challenged a denial of its correctness,^ and receiving none, de-
nounced the projected scheme in decorous but severe terms, as a
])i‘oof of a determination to break up the party. Mi\ Hammond
was not, as he says himself, an expert debater, and discomposed by a
statement of facts, not complimentary to the fairness of those with
wdiom he was acting, entered with evident embaiu^assment upon the
exhibition of his statistics in regard to the population of the coun-
ties, and other pretences that had been constructed by the movers
in the plot. We scouted all his calculations as indicating a chaffer-
ing disposition inconsistent with that confidence and fraternal feel-
ing which had in time past characterized the action of the paif-y.
We affirmed that the treatment of the small counties, that consti-
tuted nearly half the district, had always been of the most liberal
cliaracter, and that not an instance could be cited in which a double
rejoresentation in the Senate had been given to a large county, as
long as there was in the district a small county not represented, and
finally we exclaimed against the propriety of a separate and private
imderstanding by a portion of a political brotherhood about to as-
semble to promote the common cause, pledging itself to a particular
course without heaxnng what the rest had to say against it.
Gen. Bellmap, the Chairman, very unexpectedly to all, rose from his
seat, and, tho’ no speaker, said in impressive terms that he had at-
tended the meeting alluded to, and had promised to vote for the
exclusion of Greene, but that he was now satisfied that he had done
° MS. I, p. 115.
wroiip:, anti that 1 m‘ would volt* fur my auauulmaut. Mr, Tlivoop
froin ( du'Uaiiii'jj, whc^ had hriui a clt'rk iu my oHira, hut was a /.aaloiis
( 'lintouiau, m'\t iiKuh* an t‘lalu)rata rx|danati(m oT liis prrsiml. via.ws
aiul Id-, rrasuns for not- \’otiuti' hn liad plntloHnl hims(‘lf i(v voir.
hr was s])i‘akinm\ llamumml tunu'cl to mr ami said, Would
you ludirvr it. Sir! 'Fliat youn^ man has hrrn our oT llu‘ rliirt*
A;L»’(‘nls \n ^tdtiii.u’ up this husimsss!"’ W'hrii (ha votr was (‘akru
my motion to iurluda (irrmr was rarrusl hy a. lar<i:i^ majority, I was
ih‘tainrd in thr Simata Chambri’ !oii^i‘r (hai\ thr^ rrst, and wlum I
went out I found a solitary imrn'idual, walkiuiji: to and t’r<» on tlu‘
(’apittd Porrli, whom iu thr unrri’tain li^'ht. of t!u\ lumr 1 diil not.
at liivt rr(’ou'ui/.i\ hut I soon niadr him out, hy his liahit. of hnmmiiiji;
ovrr (ho iioatl <d‘ hi> t*ant‘, {t> h(‘ Dr. I>a\‘is, <im‘ of lh(‘ ( )rati.a’(* o{iim(y
ropriv^-tudal ivrs. 1 approaohrd him, ami asktul him what ki‘pl. him
ihrrr at that (imo of nif.dtt. 1 h‘ answauaal, with a. lu'arty lau;i;h, that
ho \\a;; po .i(i\'rly afraid (o *>:<> honit^; tliat- dud'<>:(‘. S|)(*mu‘r was wail-
iu'r lor him at his room, and iu‘ diil not- kmnv how to t‘Xplain tlu'ir
didVat, a thoy oanio to tin* nuadin^* with a phal^’rtl \’otr of two thirds
in thoir fa\or, and Innl h(M*n (kd\adrd l)y ahoiil- thr sairn* numhor!
I ath isod hiiii ( idl (ho »Iml^’o tha{ t hrir oanso was not- an hom*s( oiaa
and that was thi^ roa um of its failuivd
(ho. Clinloirr. inauitura ( ion was {jiiiu* an imposing alfair, as 1
umh‘1' lotid, ami ot»mluotod in rX(*(dhuit (a:dr. Ilavinti:, oonirary to
)n\ II aial oour. r in : uoii oasi's, a/^rtaal, on tlu^ sUir;L!,’i‘st ion of rfmlu’o
d'hoiup on, not Id attoml, I dii! not witni‘ss it, ami was accord inii’ly
\i'ry much tirprisotl to hoar aftm’wards, that. tlu‘ latli*r was prr>ont,
with hi - family, and that, my ahsonoo had in oonsiapumoo ht*on inori'.
noliord than it mijiiht ot liorw i t' havi* laam. d'his aof, so imamsistrnt.
with lii ^ m^^nu’al lamdmd, was caused hy an iidlucnct* whicli in its
n -ual and a ppt’“| c ^--phen* is <L»’rncraliy both brni/j^nanf atid anspi-
ciou , but w htm exerted in tln^ ii noon ini paths of politicks is randy
happv and alwav out of phna». Knowino* (he (‘liief dustiia* t.o lax
' *r)«r> »il ih' : 1; I’uIIy UrMi riliiMl l»,v tiniuniitiut :
“ til** taMillf «a .trl« l 4’«aiVi*nl Uai luljotiriuMi, U \vn» riviolv ••rl tci apimlnt ti nan
tnlU«i- Ututt tin niiai* .’- !•» lli«* tStrOirn »»f ilii- tir;lrl*a, nii llu' !;n!>Jrt*l nl' lln* iip|»runi'h-
itiit Mr. Vim mn’»‘a wum niti*«ajUnl ^■hnlnnnn IhiU nanmlUn*, AimlhiT
pi iMin m» him !a pullOfnl vh-wri. nmi in.vrn*h’, wn-t* ni* (hni rcanmUti't*, fh*
loi ii*hlo*’ >i. In whh h In* r«’vl*-Wfa Un* {lolltlnil runt**Ht hi‘l\v«*«*n tin* (wo
ilaOiip fh*‘ hill* war, am) .'■oamjl.v nhnra'il i>nr olii ptaiUnil oppninaita. Tin* pn/»r
win* wri'r j’ur Onm hrliu*: ihinKt-rtimi, Unit Un*.v had rm !th*a of oppuHlm:
Miir <untlidut»- .. l»f* ih«*\ whu limy tidplU, v«*r.v Justly iiiUJd havn nanplalin*d nf this Ircnl
m« nt a * iUU»»-ra!. li ll•»t fi n.-l, Uiit nn (In* p;u*l cil’ Mr. \ an nnr«*n, tin* mra ain* wan
pulnn and JudniMU O th** ('lintfunan r. pulili«*nn:i rrtn.srd to nij'u Iht* nddrn.H, Un*n
It wa-: t<r xvh;d ua-. ••Iiurr««l ai'nlird Un-tn, a Hi*{*i*«*t utnhTHiainllna wUh lln*
t.iln dl f , ji lU . * ! lin'd If, fln*t» On* U Mh*ralh>t!i inlaht In* fidd. (lull ltn*.v had in» nmri*
s. . f sr..{:i f.iu' I i:i . On* ii-piddii*ans than Irmn nindln-r, f'«tr htifh had Jninnr
in Oil- (sn .Uh'd ha* d*'num i;i t inns aanlii’d tln*m. 'I'ln* juhlrnHa nvntituulty wan idtnn-d
indl . ilmJnati ly !»> a.U fh.* r.'pidtUniu m.‘inlM‘rH,’* Uimmioud, lllHlory of I’ldltinal I’arUi*;*
iu tin? Hittlti uf New VmU, t, IV I. W\ 0, R
AU’l’Olil(i(a;AI'll V OK MAliTIK' VAK BUKKM.
89
wluMi (o hiiiiM'ir ii [icrl'ci'lly s(r:ii":li(.-r()r\Viiril inun, T did not, as
I would have iteeu justiliahle in doing, break oil luy iute.reonrso. with
liini. iiiil contenU'd uiy.-elr wills nsjskissg Isiisi .seis.silsle of tlse. iujustieo
he. hiul doise sue, wilhsssil ss.skisig oi' I'eeeiving exislsinations.
A few eveuiugv afleinvai-ds 1 was visited by <Je.n. Soloissou Van
Ih‘iss.si‘lai'i-, (ise Adjulasil -deties'al, who hi-osig'ht me. a message, fi’om
(iov. t'lisslosi Id dll' ell’eet that tlsei'ss wsis nothing iis his feeling's
(owsii'ds nu' thsd. wisuld prevent on his pai't the. msdistensuiee of
fi'ieiully I'eiatimss, ;usd liisd'. he, sincei'ely Insped thsd, such would ho
(lie e:i.'.e; thsil he did not of ecsur.se e.'ipe.el. pie to support any ‘>f his
measiii'es whii'h I did not apin-ove, hut would be happy to lind thsit 1
judged his tnlminis4i'a(ion rairly. 1 I'eciproeated these friendly assur-
anees wills snuels eoi'dialily, sisiii i'e(|ueH(ed the. (lenei'al to sssy to the
( «o\ (U'iioi- I hat all I ask(>d of Isim wsis sue.h an aihsiinisti'atioii of the
( Jo\ I'.i'umeiit as wosild salisfy ous' old polilieiil Is'ieisds thsd. he desii'ed
lo ssislaiis (he Ueiuihliean pas-iy of (hi* State., iss which evcnit 1 could
snake iiiy.o'lf ss.sid'iil lo it, and wouhl lake gi'eat pleasus'e, in doing so.
1 felt I he stwkwiii'iliiess sd' seisdisig siu'h a I'csponsi' thi'ougli a high-
(oned fedei'alist, but thought it due as well to the ( ioveiaios' sis to
isiv.-elf, lo snake him issulei'slaud my psssitioii eoS'i'eetly. lie asid
dudge Spences' snight, at llsat lime, by thi'is- joint inllnesiee, have pi-e-
vaih'il upon two of (he fous- liiciiilii's'.s coissposing (he ('oum-i! of Ap-
poisilnnnil lo conseul. to my cesnovsil fi'osu (he ollisse. of Altoi'ney (ien-
es'itl, iiisd ( huss snight hsiA'i' elVected i( by his I'asting \'ole. I>y omitling
(o Uiak(‘. the atl,eiiipt betweess Jisly iSlH, whim he, enles'ed iiinm
(he duties of his; oHice, and .hinuas'y iHl!), when a new Cousicil was
eiio.seis, In-, ps’oved the. sdsices'ity of his jn'oressious msnh-. Ihs'o’ (less.
Van Ken.s.sehu'i-. Of the new Council not a single, sssember eoidd
have bi-esi indu<-ed (o vote, fos' sny s-i-moval, and by the sse-xt- ■the only
one iii which his fi-ie.sids obtained a majority- -1 wsis s'emoved.'
At Use sneiding of (he Legishitui'e in bSl!) (,he. Riihieon was passed
by the Clisitonians and a s|H‘edy .sepai-ation of the jias'ty maile, eei--
ts'iin. They decided t<i sisppoi-t foi- Speaker of tlse Ilonso oi' As-
sembly, Obadiah (le.rman, a Seisatos- in (kuigs-c.ss dus-iug tlse Was-,
and its violesit opponent lie was to om- friends the suost obnoxious
mass, in the, Clintonian J'aidi.s, It hsid fos- ss. ses-ies id' years beesi the
ju-aclice, of the .Ue.publh-ssss ssscsssbes's to sneet in (he Sesia.te Clnunbes-,
asnl to selecl., by a sssajority, (he. individiud (o be voleil for sis
Spe.akes', assil (he choii-e thus made was always s'ega.s'de.d as binding
> 'rii(‘ new folincll w.-iii cniiipuscd Oi’ VnIt'M, HiUMUnn, R WlUlinii U<»hh
imd Uup<.MtT:uii/.. 1 1 was rl.d-iiMl widt I In* nUi of iMdlcniUsl. v^lcH, only JoJm
A. Kliii;', Inicr .'HmI ('jtrniini iM'linv 'Diotu* dccidiMl not lo vole for llu* ^ lliilo-
niini t'/anu-U li.-.-Miiso of llo* 1 r<‘M inuMil of llo> :d«niilorl)ii tiuitdloti by < Jovno'nor^ (dlnloii.
K WiiH Mijiposi'd thill llo* (btvtd'nor ums lujfdib' lo llio j‘(‘ clfolloji ol Uulus ami
I Ills Hiipposllloii WHS roidirincd wboii Jndr.o Spinicor wns pul l‘t)rwHi'd iis ibe 4'5m<lid{iio
ul’ Uic j .^0 von log’s p.'irty. W. I'\
90
AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION.
on tlie party. Owing, in some degree, to mismanagement, partly to
the unpopularity of German, and, to a small extent, to the absence
of nieinbers, we obtained a majority in the Caucus, and nominated
Mr. [William] Thompson, of Seneca, for Speaker. This result
astounded Mr. Clinton and his friends, who from having ridiculed
the idea of opposition to German were now filled with consternation.
Instead of uniting in the choice of Thompson, as they should have
done (the place not being one of primary importance) they decided
in the excitement and confusion of the time to elect, and did elect
German, by a union witlnthe federalists.^
The effect was electrical, and from one end of the State to the
other there was a revulsion of feeling in the minds of Eepubli(*ans
inclining them to join hands at the Governor’s expence. This gen-
eral sensation brought to Albany Jacob Barker, of whom I have al-
ready spoken, and who was always set in active motion by a crisis,
as had been shown on many occasions during the War. He possessed
the full confidence of Judge Spencer, and a large share of that of
the Governor and of his new fiuend Judge William W. Van Ness.
Barker confirmed the worst accounts they had received from the
counties and impressed tliem strongly with the necessity of taking
some step that might subdue the excitement, or at least divert the
public mind from the subject. A vacancy had been produced on the
Bench of the Supreme Court, and the coup cVetat proposed by Barker
was that tlie Governor should nominate me to the Council for the
Judgeship without enquiring whether I would or would not accept
it. I have before described the relations that always existed be-
tween Barker and myself. He came to me, after a full consultation
with the three gentlemen I have named, and first requiring and ob-
taining my promise that I would say nothing in regard to my own
feelings upon the matter he was about to lay before me, iiroceeded
to inform me fully of his plan, to which, he said, all the gentlemen
referred to had assented. His argument was that whether I accepted
or not, it Avould be sufficient to repel the charge of Mr. Clinton’s sub-
serviency to federal influence ; and if I accepted it would remove mo
from a place where I was very troublesome, to one ndiere I could
exert less political influence. The only difficulty, he told me, arose
from a promise the Governor had made to appoint Mr. [John]
Woodworth, but that they thought could be overcome.
He subsequently described to me an interview between Judge
Spencer and Woodworth, the object of which was to induce the latter
to relieve the Governor from his promise, the particulars of wdiich
were too characteristic of the parties to require, with me, any other
proof of their authenticity. But Mr. Woodworth stood fast on his
^A full account of this election is given in Hammond, History of Political Parties in
the State of New York, I, 477.— W. C. F.
AUTOBIOGIUPHY OF MAKTIN VAN BUEEN.
91
bond. The interference of his brother-in-law, Gen. Stephen Van
Eensselaer was next called into action, but with no better success.
Thej^ were all greatly dissatisfied with this pertinacious selfishness,
but the Governor, having received a personal favor from him, ful-
filled his promise and nominated Woodworth. It is probable that
when the result was found to be inevitable the proposition spoken of
by Judge Hammond of appointing two additional Judges, and my-
self as one of them, was joroposed by Mr. Barker, and abandoned
on being opposed ° by Judge Spencer and the Governor.^ I have
noi idea that either of these gentlemen knew that I had been apprised
of these circmnstances, or that they would have been much dissatis-
fied with the fact if they had known it.
The blunder of the administration in regard to the choice of
Speaker, was, shortly after, followed by an event that served to
strengthen us greatly. A vacancy occurred in the Board of Canal
Commissioners, and I was told by a federal member of the House of
Assembly, opposed to Mr. Clinton, and who subsequently became a
member of the party known as ‘‘the high-minded,” that if we would
bring forward a candidate against Epbriam Hart the Clintonian
candidate, who was not acceptable to him and his friends, there
would be found votes enough on the joint-ballot to secure his elec-
tion. I proposed my friend Henry Seymour, father of the present
Governor [Horatio Seymour] to Avliom he at once agreed. On the
joint-ballot, we, to the surprise and deep regTct of the Governor and
liis friends, elected Mr, Seymour by a majority of one vote." This
gave ns a majority in the Canal Board and I am quite confident that
we derived more advantage from the patronage and influence attached
to it than the Governor obtained from the Council of Appointment,
which was embarrassed by the circumstance that it had to minister
to the cravings of a party composed of discordant materials.
While things were going on in this way, I one day received, in
court, a note from Judge Spencer, written on the Bench, saying that
he desired a private interview that evening, and would meet me either
at his house, or at mine, or at the residence of his son-in-law. I
returned an answer before he left the bench that I would come to his
house in the evening.
The state of party-feelings at the time may be inferred from the
fact that we were both sensible that it was necessary to make our
interview strictly private to prevent its being used by mischevious
persons to foment jealousies among our friends. He received me
very kindly at the door, introduced me into his library, and turned
the key. He soon disclosed his object by expressing a strong desire
Ms. I, p. 120.
1 nammond, History of Tolitical Parties in the State of New York, I, 41)0.- ~W. 0. F.
~ Hammond, History of Political Parties in tlie State of New York, I, 495. — W. C. P.
to h;n<‘ r
hMim'li! ill! ! - • •'■
miii'ht !u‘f it ’ ’•
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own, uii'i ih?'* ■
harm- 'vd Uv ii. ' ‘
-t‘|iar:il<'*l luv *
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virlisui nf i!u* t'
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ilia’ (la* iuf<*i irv. , Au
of lii'iuiojia ! ui‘ lv» - .
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Mipporl tif an Atnii’’ . ' ’
Mli>lia W'slli.uii . ihA s.,
ni/.inl a juihi a al . ’
cri \ r tif an M ;» v a* u
(ln\i‘ru»»r vn»uiA i*r{ L
aa airauft*; In-v. «-w i' L
jKtIilifal f»v'! nl^ -m I
I-!lp( Ur«‘ V. itU { !£.■ :n ! ?
(til (Mir ' it it* V, 0 \i ) *^’;h ;
Mr, ( ’lihitia ha^ lu;* ir :
airui at \ hr h u$4 »<i i
nil’ (tJ I'nartliatr nl*t {r-.^ i
<(i .-.Ill'll a ft'p. Hr i\‘h .
(lia{ n'p'artl, ua.i frj \u
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n>lt'(‘iii aihl
ua* ilMn'tturh in .ni. ri.-;
A I trr ri uy
unthin*i: i'lliMiu 4 l t..a |
snUatitth, an A V‘nar
imoilit*r .'u!>jrrj na uha.
as to till- amiiiirr »4 :ij i
and pi\r nllrurr' Uhrir »
to «!i‘ t’lihr thr !•!, . 5„-
Mr. (‘liar. at h.r ?•: , j :,
Arrnr.l In ui r M- . :
(‘I f III' I i|ip, , a ■ ■ ■ 'm
uf hi iviuaiA a; '■ ;• .
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roiithtarA thr
AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF MARTIH YAH BUREH.
93
Riy removal. I then observed that as this v^as not intended as a
menace, of which I had not the slightest suspicion, and Avhich he
earnestly disclaimed, I could have no objection to its introduction;
that I was not sorry it had been introduced, as I had for some time
been anxious to be fully understood by the Governor and himself
upon the point. I said that I had obtained my office from the same
source from which the Governor had derived his place, and was
earlier in possession. I sustained him in the leading measure of
his Administration, — ^that of Internal Improvements — ^but it was
complained that I was taking measures to prevent his re-election.
This I had a right to do, and I denied that he had any authority
to use his power, derived as it was, to coerce me into his support.
But at the same time I admitted that these views, had, by the course
of events, and conduct of parties, come to be regarded as mere
abstractions; — that I was by no means certain that I would act
upon them myself if our cases were reversed ; — ^that I had for a long
time regarded the loss of my office, when the Governor obtained the
power to remove me, as the probable consequence of my persistence
in the course I felt it my duty to pursue, and that he might rest
assured that he would hear of no personal complaints from me or
my friends on account of my removal.
Judge Spencer aclmowledged emphatically the liberality of my
feelings, and the regret he would experience if matters tooJc the di-
rection referred to, (in which I did not doubt his sincerity, for not-
withstanding occasional exhibitions of great violence, he was cap-
able of generous impulses) — and said, as I rose to leave him that’
he was happy we had met, because altho’ we had accomplished noth-
ing upon the main subject, our conversation could not fail to give a
milder tone to our future differences.
The session tenninated without any change in the posture of polit-
ical affairs, but also without my removal taking place. In the heat
of summer I received an order from the Governor to attend the. Dela-
ware Circuit, and to take part in a laborious and difficult tidal for
Murder in Delaware County, and meeting him the next day, at the
Canal Board, he asked me whether I had received his order. I an-
swered affirmatively but enquired whether- he thought it quite fair
as matters stood, (alluding to the called meeting of the Council of
Appointment, and the expectation of my removal during my absence)
to send me in such weather upon such a service, and proposed to him
to consent that I should employ Counsel on the spot, at the expense
of the State. Tie understood my allusion, and colouring, said, “ No !
Great interest is felt in the case, and the public will be disappointed
if you do not go ! ”
Before the adjournment of the Legislature I said to Gen. German,
in a jocose way, that his friend the Governor gave the State a great
17-^
XllDJLVJrtlVJAJ-l LV^O-^I .
deal of trouble, that his adherents ought to appl37’ to Mr. Monroe to
send him on some distinguished foreign mission, and that he ^yould
be strongly tempted to unite in the measure, to whicli he made sona*
reply, in a similar vein. On my return from the Dela\Yare circuit
I met the General on his waj^ from New York, where the Coun(‘il
of Appointment was is session, to his residence in Chenango. Ih*
left his carriage, came to me and saluted me very cordially. X asked
him the news — ^what was the Council about, and has it made a muv
Attorney General? He replied ^^Not and then referred to
our former convei'sation, and said he had felt desirous to see me in
the hope of being able in some way to arrest the divisions that were
spreading in the party. I replied by giving to that conversation its
true character, but adding seriously" that if the Governor was Avill*
ing to accept a foreign, mission, I for one, would be happy to sc<*
him get it. He said “No, No.” — on which I told him at once, but in
kindness, that for anything else it was too late; that the Governor
must either put us down, or be put out himself; that as matters
stood the leading men of both parties would only discmdit them-
selves with the People by attempting to patch up a truce. “Well,” re
plied he, ^^it requires no 2 ^i'ophek to tell us which of those results
will happen” — and we separated. 1 have always sup];)Osed that tlu‘.
General had asked them to delay the removal until he could see mi\
and that he wrote to New York from the nearest post-office, aft(‘r
our interview, as I received my sxifersecleas almost iminediate1\'
thereafter.''
Chief Justice Thomi)son, having received the ° af) 2 )ointment of
Secretary of the Na-\^, and there being besides strong objections
to his nomination for Governor on the part of some of our best ]ncu,
we determined, before the Legislature separated, infoimially, to
bring forward Vice President Tomj^kins. All admitted thc.Chu'f
Justice to be honest and sincere but it was thought that he did noi.
imderstand the feeling of the partj^ sufficiently, and might quarrel
with it before his term of office expired. Although I had been very
instrumental in giving him the political prominence he possessed, I
July [1810]^ thfi Council met aj^ain. Although the romoval of minor office hohl
ing Buektails and the appointment of Ciintonians had been very general; yet Mr. Van
.Buren, who stood at the head of the opposition to the Governor, and led on the attai'k,
had hoen allowed to hold one of the most important, influential and at that time Iucim-
tive ofliocs in Ihe State, the office of Attorney General, undisturbed. It was urged tlml
this inconsistency in the conduct of the administration ought to be obviated ; and uftiu*
much and lung hesitation the Council removed him, and appointed Thoma.s .T. Oakley In
his place . . . Mr. Van Buren, according to the maxim which before had, and since* has
governed his poUticnl conduct, had no right to complain, and in fact, I believe, he did
not ; hut au outcry was of course raised in the newspapers, on account of the I’cmov.-il
of a n'publicnn from an important office, and the appointment of a federal i.st iu his
place.” ITainmond, History of Political Parties in the State of New York, I, 507, Oakley
wa.s the Dick Shift of the liucktail Bards. — W. C. F.
“ MS. I, p. 125.
u ^ ni- .MAliTLN VAN lUMlKN.
'JD
cnMH' io |)?‘<‘(( y nMH’li lli(‘ sniiit» (wjru'lKsion for many ivasons, ono of
whifli- I will UH'iilion by way of illnsi ration. Wo wtmt. too^dhor to
(1 h* I wa P i* ( irruil in <'oiinly (umu l{‘Oot. livcal and tlum
rtl mulispiitiMl and indispuiablo polilioal sw’ay— and on onr
way I o\])ro. j'fl a liopt^ jo (ho (diiof Jns(i(‘e Mial- ho- W'oidd sluif liis
jo (Iu‘ (Icm-rars Toibli's, ainl Inad. him kindly. For a hwv days
lludi' iii(mvi)i!rst> was miiiually salisfartory - so nuirh so ikal'. tlic
la((i*r roub’ sial (o iin‘ (hai (tunv w'im'c' ii;ood points about- '^Idminpsou
of whioli ho had m^t bid’ort' bocii .snnsibhy hnl, l)('foi*{'! tin'- ('irciiit
idn vd hi ; projinrua's w'(‘ri‘ mon^ ihan ovor aronsod and 1 coidd not.
o\im prtw ail (ui him io lakt' a. rnspoi*iabl(v loavo ol' iho (^hicf fliisticc.
d’ho lvii(i^\ l(‘e|ot* (d‘ our inbrnlion in i'{\m*Mrd Io llio Vi('(‘ Pi*rsid(Mij;
wa (ho .'■;i*,nia! fni^ oppn;:i(ion jo (ho s(‘( I I imuouI. of tlnd ])ortion ol'
hi‘' a‘a’onni;; Tor War oxptMidilnrn.s (hai had (-O' ho auditod by tho
Stale* ollirci's hefori* it roidd Ih‘ allowaal at. Wasliinalon. rntil
jlnm ail wrni on .aiioolhly and his a{’(‘<Hni(s wendd lia\(*, Ikkmi Nvith-
ou(. a eloulij, hut lot' thai- ci rmimsl ani‘o, saiisl'aedorily sotthul. llo
; oou oanio (o an open rupluro w ith Iho. (\)m[>lroll{'r Mclnt.yiH' (a
/.(‘alou : frioiKi (d’ (ho (lovenaior) wIh^ luadi*. an appiail to (Ik* puhlie*.
in ilh‘ jdrm of an t^iliria! h‘( lm\ si^'iioil as ( 'om|)trollin’, and addn‘ss(‘(l
to (ho \‘ioi* Pn*sidt»iiid I won! to iho re^sidemta* of lh(*i latda* ai.
Slaloii l.daiid, a.s wo|| to <jh(ain his (•()nson(. (o hi* our (‘andtdaJi*, as
(o (emdor all Iho ai<l in my pow'oi* in [iroparinji!: an answi'.r io iho
i ‘oiupl I’i il lor': . loKmx with oo|')i(‘s of which (Ik* S(.al(*. hail hc'on in-
imdafoiL I soon round that ho warn stmuydy impri'risi'd wii.h (ho. idoa.
(hat 1 waidod (hi* nomination mysolf, aiul porsistod in di'olininjj;,
imtil I allndod in (oniis (o his morua*, and 'nn'o him assnraiu’o.s id'
hi;^ iMTor which ho oould not hut. holiiwa*, whon ho oonsonli'd to our
wi;dios, I’nil wh(*n wi* oanio (o (lit* (‘lamination of his papers I
found him, in ooinpaiTani willi wind- lu*. had hoi'.n, (‘.KoiKslin/dy
holph'.ss. ( dnsoiou., of his int(*‘»:rity in all thing’s simsihk* of j.h<^
p’l’oat sorv)(*i‘s ho had nmdi'n'd (o (ho (*oiinlry at. p(*riods o-f its uis
most- ni‘c*d, ami cd’ I Ik* disintorosit‘dm‘ss of his mot ivi‘s, (w'hi(!h laid
iK‘(‘n s(rikin.ii;iy displayi'd hy his ri'fusal to hi\ di'awm from his Post,
by the. (ompialion of iho ollh'i* of So(*rotary of Stab*.) his Idolinyy
hail nol boon oalloiis or his (’(‘solution si nnuj; (‘Uou^b (o (‘nat)lt*. him
to hoar up a^a’aiird (ho injns(i(U‘T llu* inyratitudi* and (.ho oidiimny
of wlhioh ho was now (nad<* Iho vii'lim. lb* oould nol. sp(‘ak on (ht*.
suhjoot id’ his aooounts with oonipo: uro, or look at. Molnl.yri'V lo(.l(*.r
wilhoul loathiny. Wdion told of (ho in(r!sp(*nsabl(' iu‘(*i‘ssily (d’ ^iv
iiiii' In (ho i» mallms prompt and (hoi’ou^'h a(((‘n(ion, lu* said, lu^
o(ndd not hol{> it, and llirowino* down a hiiufth of lu'Vs, (‘X(^lairn(‘(h
‘‘'I’horo aro iho key.; (d’ my private pap(*rs, without r(*sorv{‘ -Iku’o is
' A K'lS'r (•» hi « I-a'* t-lli-iiry 0:iT»ii>l O. a'dlnrlUiui, ln(«‘ aoviTJHH’ of Ow SUilc of Nc-w
YnvU. 'Do* of.’V.'cr i.iKlIh'rl; A l.oUi'r hi ArrlUhiilii I\Ii*Inl,vrf, I'omiil rolh-r ol’ Iho
SUlli' «.f New Hiifl , If run Ihn'O;',!* (vv<> .-ili I luHi.. W'. i\ l'\
96
amerigajst histokical association
my friend Mr. Leake — ^lie knows a good deal about tlie papers ai
will cheerfully give you all the aid in his power, and, when y<
want ex]:>lanations come to me.”
On examining his private letter-book I found a corresponder
between him and Thomas Addis Emmett containing an offer
the office of Attorney General, and its acceptance. I immediah
went to the garden where he was, with the book in my hand, a
.said to him “ Vice President, I find here that you were the aiitl
of an appointment that I have always attributed to Mr. Clinto
and showed him the correspondence. He replied Certainly, G
Clinton know nothing of the matter. I wanted to have Thomas ?
Southwick convicted of the bribery they practiced on the pass!
of the Bill to incorpoi.'^ate the Bank of America, and thought
too young for that service; and I knew besides that you wo
come to the office early enough.”
The knowledge of the injustice that I had for so- many ye
done to Mr. Clinton in this regard distressed me and made me af'
wards more cautious how I trusted to mere inferences in import
matters. There wtis then an impassal)le political gulf between
and no suitable opportunity wos presented for explanation, bi
aiu sure this discovery had its influence on my dispositions towi
him at another and very critical period of his life.
In the course of my early -interviews Avith the Vice Presidei
imbibed a suspicion that the habit of intemperance, tO' which
in the end, fell a mehinelioly victim, had commenced its fatal
ages upon him. The Secretary of the hTavy, (Thompson) av’
son had married the Vice President’s daughter had taken a cot
•j'or the summer on the island, but Avas absent from home ayIk
arrived. Oji his first visit I proposed a walk, and in reply tc
question as to the condition in A\dnch I found the Vice Presid
pa]xu*s, I answered So far, very Avell, but thei'C is another mi
tliat has affiic'ted me more.” I then asked liiin Avhether it had
occurred to him that our friend Avas becoming intemperate,
paused a moment, and replied, with more feeling than Avas coir
to his nature, but Avifli his habitual truthfulness, that he coiik'
say that the idea had not at times x>‘issed thro’ his mind, but
lie had Avatched him as clo.sely as he could, with propriety, and ?
lied himself that his indulgence was temporary, occasioned b;
troubles, and Avould soon Avear off. I hinted at the fearful rei
sil)ility I Avas assuming in pressing his nomination if it si
turn out differently. Tie concurred very fully in this and said
lie trusted I knew him too well not to be satisfied that he a
])e the last jierson to advise me to persevere if he thought ther
any real danger, and that ho Avould not fail, if my appreher
were realized, to step forward, and share the responsibility AAut
OS
AMKlMt’AN lUS'roItU'At. ASS( )ri A’l’in X.
"■ Nni at Jill," lu‘ auswiM’^Ml, H n<>t this (hr laMi-r of J<aiathun
'riioijijjsnn r'
''Vfs!'- said I "Mint {hrrt* ir^ to In* a <A //z/'r/w/d* mrcliiu»' lu*r(»
(oni^iiht " (that tma ha\ inij; cumi' into usr in>h*ad of Ih'pnhliran)
anil I am \t‘ry Min* (hat you do not n'o (o surh u'athrrinas.”
""1'ha( i> tna* i*uoim‘li '' rnplinl W'ilkins, "" I don'l I’arr a tl n ha’
yottr tlfuiorrai'y, l»ut I (akt* an inlma'st in tin* siu'ri’ - > of hour t mm,
and hrrum* my old si’hooUiiatr Danirl I), d'oiujjkins (ti hr our, and
I romr lirrr (o-ni^'ht t{) 1 h* <a)n(irmrd in that o]jinion I "
d1u* \d<‘r Prrsidrnt ma<lo sona* \‘rry im]>n*s iv(* I’l^mark . illii (rat-
in'^ thr truth of tin* s(a(rnn‘nk uptm (iu* ('xprdirnry o(‘ puhlishiuir,
on whirh ho atul ! liad diihuvd jii.-tifyinja: thr infrrrnrrs hr h:id
drawn, and stn*nylht*niiiiir tht* proprii’ty of hi‘^ po-itiiui and rum
eluding* u i(h (hr drrlaration (hat (hr (iuu* had arri\t‘d whrii la* ouy.li!
to ik» him tdl’ ju. tiri*, h'ormina' ihrir* opinion upon thro* ynuiiul;
only, torn* apprarrd to In* a ri'urral :i*n(inirni in thr na*f*(iny (hat I
wa.s n ronm I'nlhnvrtl hy a n‘mons( ranri* with na* for my oppir iiinii.
In rrjdy I durit for a slmrt timr on th<* danu'rr of a man u ho luu!
alway h(*rn s<) mnd(*: t in sprakiinx of his own mrrits rhanniny hi'
rlrarartrr in that ri'yard, parlirularly undrr hi-- prr •‘ut rirriim
(ain’t ‘s, uhirh a thry ■ iood \vrr<* wrll ralrulati*tl to rvrift* [iiihlir
^ym[»a(hs'; Imt whrn I ranu* to th* rrihr (la* u i*' that Mr. (dinions
ran til* ami hn..y pi'u uouhl makt* of : urh M'ruiiujXM'ir ailulatiou, in
a dt‘’M'rr at tin* r\prn t* of jh»* Proph', aiul a! a mtanrnt u hm ur
u ri’i* sri'kiUL*^ t hrlr favtir, ( hi*rr wa a t'iiany’t* of rnl iint'Ui , r \r4 p{ on
(hr pari of Mr. Wdlkins, who ront«*udrd tliat thi^ llaUrrinr' thr
PropK* a all . ( utV, and (ha( (hr In*! t!*r ay vor to ti‘ll t lir { i n(h
and atddr (hr roa rpiiriirrs. dlir rr.s{ ad\'i rd (hr \'in‘ Prr idrnt (n
yirld for (hr sakr of pedirv not wit h- (a mi in^ thr (ruth of uhat hr
propo fd to ay whirh lir diil with a maid fVO’art*. dhr Irlh*!' ua-
jri-M.rd with thr nrratt* t fa\‘ot\aml rinhan’asM'd thnrruor C lintou
and hi frirml r.\rrrdinyl \ .
I hr rountry wa (llh*d w itii (lu* mo t rxaro’.rratrtl rrport in ir
»»ard to tht* rlaim prrlrri'rtl amiin i I hr Stair hy (lit* \'!rr Prr
! t»lTrr«*t! a rt* olnl ittiu raidy in thr nrxt r; ion, rallinyoji ilr* t ‘oinp
(r<dlrr fti rrport, titt* rlaim. mmhs whrthrr (hr arrcjimt had I'^rit
t'dlrtl arrordiniT tt» thr provi.Amns of an art pa rd at (hr la l . <*
sioiu* thrfon* it wa .ii;'p{*rtotl that ht* woiihl hr a ramlida!*'i and if
not, thr iva, em fm* fhr omi- ion. Tlial otlirrr ; rnl in an rl:d»ora(r
rrpl\ V. liirh ua ivfm’rrtl to oiir romuiittri'. \\d* madr a rt porl.
imph” and un^ arnirlird, stalin^Mhr wliolr rase in a wa\ to in* ra ilv
iiml'S fMiht h\' thr Pt*o]drMnul arrompanird it hy a Pdll iHr-f. { oj-Mh •
(‘omptrolirr fo pay to i hr \‘irr !h'r-id(‘nt iMrvrn 'I lioii ;tn«l nollar-s
:•***• I riuriiMti'!. in’^t"r\ ..I' r.ilinral r. fO- Mill**
’ MH. I. || U’.H.
^ Sr- >:luli l.uwtj tit IHIlr ‘.'Sti,
if xrw \m 0 .. I, r.ns, w/r, r.
AUTOBIOGEAPHY OP MARTIN VAN BUREN. 99
as the balance fully due to him from the State. When this Bill was
before the Senate I made a Speech that was very extensively pub-
lished and was entirely satisfactory to the friends of the Vice Presi-
dent." Gideon Granger, the Post Master General under Mr. Madi-
son, who had been elected to the Senate from the Western District,
■was expected to reply, but did not do so, nor was any answer made,
and the Bill passed the Senate by a vote of two to one. To prevent
the influence of his silence, it was said and published that Mr.
Granger had temporarily lost his voice by a severe cold ; which was
partially true, but from the sympathy of which he gave unmistak-
able signs, whilst listening with respectful and undivided attention
to the recital of Tompkins’ services, persecutions and sufferings, I
inferred a better reason for his disinclination to speak against him,
and gave him credit for his forbearance. Mr. Lot, a Member from
Long Island, and an ardent friend, ■was so far moved by the same
cause that he w^ept like a child and Avas obliged to leave the chamber.
The Vice President arrived at Albany from Washington about
this time, and was received by our friends with wild enthusiasm. A
meeting^ composed of the Democratic members of the Legislature,
and citizens in great numbers and from all parts of the State, and
over Avhich I presided, was, a short time afterwards, held at the Capi-
tol, by which Tompkins Avas nominated as a Candidate for Governor
with great unanimity and enthusiasm,^ After an unusually animated
contest in which each party exerted itself to the utmost, Mr. Clinton
Avas re-elected by a small majority, but neither of the results I pro-
posed’ to Gen. German occurred : we did not turn the Governor out,
nor did he put us down. Although we lost our Governor we chose
a Legislature by which I was appointed a Senator in Congress, and
which turned McIntyre out of the office of Comptroller, in which
he had Avorked so hard against us.
Several other stirring events transpired at the session of 1820. Mr.
Clinton called the attention of the Legislature, in his speech, to the
Missouri Question, and recommended action upon that subject. I
was not faAmurable to his recommendation, but unwilling to give
him the advantage of wielding so powerful an influence against us
as it Avould have proA-ed to be, if we had opposed it. Incessant at-
tempts were made by his friends to place me in that attitude. Per-
mission was asked, and given, to use my name in a notice signed by
1 Speecli in the Senate of New Pork, on the Act to carry into- effect the Act of 13th
April, 1819, for the settlement of the late Governor’s accounts. Albany, 1820. — W. C. P.
- Feb. 22, 1820. In an account of the meetins', written by John A. King to Rufus King,
he said : “ A w^l written address and Resolutions were then submitted by Mr. Van
Buren, the chairman to the meeting, and were adopted with long and repeated cheering.” —
W. C. F.
“The question of Tompkins’ accounts remained open until after the election, and un-
doubtedly played some part in defeating him. In November, 1S20, a measure was intro-
duced, and passed without opposition, ending the controversy by enabling the accounts
to be balanced. — AA^ C. F.
100
AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION.
the most respectable citizens of Albany, of all parties, calling a meet-
ing to take the sense of the People on the subject. I was necessarily
absent, on a foreign circuit, when the meeting was held, and refused
my assent to their proceedings when they were presented to me, be-
cause they bore on their face the stamp of political and partisan
designs. A letter was written to me by the gentleman who obtained
pemiission to use my name, evidently intended for publication but it
was deemed inexpedient to publish my answer when they received it.^
When the Resolution was acted upon in the Senate there was neither
debate nor a call of the Ayes and Noes; and it was silently passed.
I was in my seat and would have voted for it if a formal vote had been
taken and I always afterwards therefore admitted my share of re-
sponsibility for its passage. It may be said that in overlooking the
bearings of the question upon the happiness of the Peoj)le for whom
Congress were acting, and allowing myself to be influenced by a
desire to prevent the Governor from making political capital out of
his recommendation, I placed myself on the same footing with him.
As to motives I can only say that I state mine truly ; that I acted on
the defensive, and that I had no hand in bringing the matter forward.
The re-election of Mr. Rufus King to the United States Senate
Avas another feature of this session that excited much feeling and
not a little surprise from the circumstance that it was unanimously
made by men, most of whom opposed him at the preceding session.
An appointment had been attempted then and failed because of the
three candidates brought forward respectively by the Clintonians,
Republicans and Federalists neither could obtain a majority of the
whole vote, necessar}^ to obtain a majority in either House; the
strength of the Democrats and Clintonians being nearly equal, and
divided between CoL Young and John C. Spencer.^
In the recess I became, I believe for the first time, acquainted
personally with Mr. King, and from my coimection with the defense
of Vice President Tompkins, in which the subject was noticed, be-
came also better informed of his patriotic course in support of the
War after the capture of Washington, and his urgent appeal to the
Vice President, then Governor, to assume every responsibility and
to trust for indemnity to the justice of his Country. Influenced by
1 Henry F. Jones, Jan. 19, 1S20, to Van Buren and draft of Van Buren’s answer, Jan.
21, are in the Van Buren Papers.
2 The throe . candidates proposed wore John C. Spencer by the Clintonians, Samuel
Youn^?, hy the republicans or “ Bucktails ” and Rufus King, by the federalitsts. “ In the
assembly Mr. Spencer received fifty four votes, Mr. Young forty four, and Mr. Iviug
thirty four. Some of the members, who, on the resolution, voted for Col. Young, when
the resolution was lost, voted for Mr. King. The whole number of republican votes, in
both houses, for Col. Y'oung, wore fifty seven, while those given to Mr. Spencer were
sixty four ; showing evidently, at that time, a republican majority in the legislature in
favor of Mr. Clinton ; but the preponderance of talent was decidedly with the Bucktails.”
Hammond, History of Political Parties In the State of New York, I, 486. The details of
the proceedings are told in John A. King to Rufus King, February 2, 1819. Life and
Correspondence of Rufus King, VI, 202. — W. C. P.
tlieso oon.si(U‘ra<i()ns, mul doiibMi'ss stimulated hy a desire to obtain
for ''rompkins the vcdes and sii])iK)rt of that section of the federalists
calli‘d 'Mh(‘ hijLch-miuded "1 him supposed to he ([iiite iulluential —
1 resolved, before the meetiu^ of tlu'. Leo:ishiture, to sii])})orl. his
re-election. To this etui, I prei)ared, under the pressure of my
uiiUHU’ous other a^"ocations, a Paniphkd. iu liis favor, which I sub-
mitted to tluM‘Xamina( iim of !\lr. Williuiu L. Mar(*y, by whom it was
imudi impn)ved, ’from which <*iri‘umstiim’e dudge .Hammoud, iu some
derive correctly descr'ibes it as our joint prodiudion. Tlie pamphlet
was simt to the Members before they left home, and had, it was
helieved, eonsidi'rahle elleet upon their ()|>inions. . It was signed
Mtmihi'r of the Iji'gislat un^" hut gimi’rally understood, and not
(lenital, to come from iiu‘. M'itli I he (‘xci'ption of a finv memix'rs of
the. didegation from the. I’ity of New \'ork, who lunei* forgave my
nhusal to unite iu an advei‘se nominal ion to Mr, CJlinton, the vote,
of llu' L(‘gislat lire was unanimous iu favor of Mr. iving's re-election.
No olU^ supposed for a moment that Mr. (dintoii and his fi'iends
were, otiierwisi'. t.han hostile, (o (he. measuri', ])ut it was Ave.ll under-
stood that tla^y vajba! for it for tla* sana* reason A\'hi<‘h th(‘,y chargial
iidlueueiHl us; that, of gathiu’ing strengtli for th(‘, ( hd)ernat()i‘ial
eleidiou. The. jrart- I took in the alFair was a. s{.er(M)(ype,d ihaige
against uu* for the nmiaiiuliu’ of my poli(i(‘al careiu*, hi’ought forwaixl
hy did'ereut. parties and fart ions in turn as the. shifting phases of
party polities made i(. tlieir eiu‘. to lay hold of the, subjind. Ihat
gooil uutiuvd but. most misi’nipiiloiis politician, Major Noalu Hum
the Kdiior of the National Advocate, api)lied for and obtained a
confideniial conmmuieation of my vii^ws on (.lie subjia*!. as neci‘ssary
(o tlie pn>i)er disebarge of bis editorial dutii*s. When he l)i‘eam(s
iu the jH’ogress of time, op])osed to me, he furnisluxl to my (memies
for pul)Iication extracts from my letter, sbamernlly garbkui, but
even iu iluit stale, liarmk^ss. In JSIO, wlien lie. iVlt rather friemlly
again, he, to my ajmiscmienl, otfered tlii^. letter t.() a jiolitical friimd to
save himsidf from the importunities of the Whig ('Committee of liicb-
moiul, who he said were anxious to obtain it, liaviiig (‘videiitly for-
gotteti the. roguish use he had himself, years before, .madt‘. of its
contentsA
l<‘lt(‘r Ih rrlnlH'd on p. I.'IH of llu* AuloI»i(»;*iMi)li\. nut«»jvrnpli dnifl. in In tlio
\'{in Uiin*n Cnpor.M. lUifUft Kln^r ^rnioi'i’nlly imh'd ]i|m indrpi i.diie«;;M io Vnn lUiron, In Min
ri)ll()\vlnjj: oxlnu’l <»l’ II lidltT to .lohn A. Klniv. .ImniMry !•!, l.Si!(i: “'I'lio ptirl taUi'ii hy
Mr. N'nn Uui-i*n linn indred hrini nuKii lilirnil, niid n;; I ruinM'lvo n( Un* rlisk nf lin])nlr-
ln>^ IilH hl^^li Hliuidln^ and InlliiriKT jniHinr; Ida pnllilrnl I’rlondK ; do iiol full ni(*r<‘r<>r<' to
Inform lilni tluil 1 ciin n<*vcr lu* Imu'u.sihh* of liln j'rniM'Ohiny and Uinl no o<‘«*nHlon ran ur-
rlvi*, that 1 Khali not hr rrady U» provo lo him I he la^fHontil rr.Hpr<-(: ik oHtrt'in wUU
■which ln‘ IniH Insphaal me." ^I'wo inonllm laicr ( i\rnr<*h IS) hi* \vrnl«‘ : "To tlu* Vico
I*r<‘Hld(‘iil I am md a 111 lie hidchlcfl for On* ^i^Ipp(^rl wllhoul. wdilcli Mr, (‘Union and IMh*
federal frienda would hav<* Htiereeticd In dejmidinx nH‘. To Van Hnnoi more eapt'clally
uin I moHt parlleularly ohllj^ed ; wlione vIcwm and prhicipleH, an I’ur an I have uiideraUxid
them, deHerv(‘ my hearty uiiprohutlon." W. C. I*\
A(‘ss, jUKS(*nu on uunr (‘ircuus; iiinunMior aiui oik
SpiMU'tn* ^Vi'n‘ known io hv aj^'ninsl tho. 1)111, anil the voin oT *1111
\\'(>oilwoi‘(h, who had luani riHanitly iioininaical by (Jovinamr (’lini
was rotifKlind ly coiiidial on to save*. llu> lai(i»r rroin (lin lU'cnssily
ilia, casting' voin. To 11ii> surj)rist‘ of ovoiT ont% and tUn
di^nalion id’ tho ( ‘lintonians, hn voiial with tlud/jjo. A'ab'S, and (
lirodnrnd the* tin/’ A law was ])assi‘<l aarly in tho wiular scss
to siil}inil- Ihn ({unstion oT ( on\‘i*nlion or No (^)nv('niiou to llu* 1
jilr in iho spring’, who dri'idiMl in favor of hoUlino' it by a inajo)
of srvindy (liousand,
’ MS. I. j*. i:r..
‘In (In- tiC (M7 Is 0 ’'«|fn Ivlw.’tnl;, of Sow York, In'oiiaht n Kill lnl«
no-ii'inhly fuc (•{illhu: n Sin(i‘ ctiinoni lou hr <Mio;!<lor .such pnrt.M c»r (lie ctui.oi K iK h
rcl;t(c<l (n (lu* aiipiiitjOnrUf of tullco':, 'I'lu* ii(ij»*c( wuu (o nuh.‘ai(tKc foi* (ho couui
uiijioUiOuotn liomc «ilhor inotlitul nf s.|M‘"ai ( lur': otUcerM. Kammoiul lulvlricii i llu(»
acliijU tin* HUj'.y.cril loll luul counh' w Hii U lui aUcrnllou nml oslounhui Jif Iho rh'
}iiilTrn}.(i*. "All mi*u hatl Kccomt* ai:i;'U!aca wUh (he iiiniohilliu^ jntwer, mulcr tli
coiuslKullon, luul ^-1 was tin* ••lintij'c onr.hl to Im* nuult*,
) v.jjM .snIlNih'il thni the ciiuucll of niipoinouful «*i»uhl not umch louder r»uMu a
f«i oin* povcruuiciKal uuK'hiucry. 'I'lic rluhl of Mjli'niuc, too, wnH tiion* rc.>urlcl
tUlo State than in any ntlior of tile tiorthcrti or luhhilc SImIcm; ninl I wan an
that jmiiHc upiiitou, in n Stiitc mo democratic, wouI<l md much lonn»M‘ «■
the rcMirlction" tUitnimoml, 1. imo. AUhounh rilntmi controUed om- hrnnch «
Ic^slahituro ttttd could huvo din'ctci! thi* couri'.c <tf (h«* (lUi-Mtlmi lu* rcru.*‘.ed to mii>p
prehuuialdy on the r.iiumd that tin* ju’ojoct hml ori{dn:ited In the opjmsinon. Md’
liill wars rejcj’ted.
'rile Idea of n convention -.mic not niaindoned hy Dio.-e ojiposetl to I'llnton, aj
reclecthm In }s:;n prodncrrl the necc .iary inmidndty. I.nr‘al mcctinna were In*
voeatlnc; a conv^-idlon, and (In* d**mtnTatM-, *' percc'lvlmt that tin* only mire means*' .
tlajj; rid of riinlon waa hy chaunliii^ amue of the mctlioda <d' novernmeni, "nvajletl
i.ehesi, with ra'efil aUill and adroit ne.’i, of tin* t»roiien*dly of the licoplc for an
atloii of tla* i*omitltn(lt*n to elfeci (hat oh.lect/' It wan to he a, I’onveiitlou \vl
j'eHtrh'Icd lanvcrc, md «Minilned *iidy to (la* machinery of appolnltnenlH, I'lluti
mur in favor td* tlic plan, and whlo'd llo* <jner.tlon of calllinj ii c«*iiveullon to t
inlttcd fo the people; hot (to* democrat . we|*c In a majority In hoth h«mfii*.u
Me.-tlalanire, an<l pa acd a taeauirc provldiin^ for a conventhm, the rcauKH of
Were (o he mil»mt(fi-d (o the people for cotdlrnmflon t»r rejection. 'I'he i*!tn
feared that It wni the pnrpo!a* of tle*ae favortmt a coiiva-ndon of unilmifiMt pov
nholhih the e'.l*uin;; JndleiaiA a.\-;tem, and Intrialuee a new mn* md conlaltdnn ih
etd Jmlnea and clianccUor. wlm had err*aled a prejudice hy their political m*
Malidiijf cuidich-nce in llair aldlliy to manage tin* »amventlou after th»-lr “wn
(hey .vh'hlcd and jojmd In luvorlnir (In* movement. The hill wan thrown out
('oina'll of jP'vk.ioij, as reliiicd 1*.^ Van Iluren. '!'■» overetujie Do* oppi/rdtjon
{‘uunci! roiae leadim; rederallstH proposed (o have the roiinell of Aiijednlm
|i».hd llu*e .olkllthuml jmt :* M, and If e'.perlenee hIiouIiI .*diow (lu'ia* w»-re then t«i
judees, a eon\enti*ui mhdu he call- d to modify Ih * judiciary tleparlincnt eo a**
; nv ail unpelKh ul trlhunal,’* Uufim Kimt rcfir ed t** plve his support iu thla
Ilou, and it was never Hcrloimly dha-ussed. W. M. 1*’.
Tin* saim* nlory, with idher <h*tMlh<, la (old hy namimunl, UlMlory of I'ldltlmil
In Urn Htati* of New York, I, MTj. W. V. J>\
Afrnl-,|(ii;!:At'llV ill.' MaUTIN VAN llDiiNN.
103
'rin‘si‘ <‘ir'Mnus1nm‘(‘s to uve'rihrow tlu'. popularity ol’ tlio
i\ovcniiii\ aliv;i<l\ Lpvally j^hakiui, aiul imluaai his (Viands to advisn
liiin to raiirt‘ tn pri\ah‘ lilV at- tlu‘ and ol' his i.ann, as lie decided
to do. d lu‘ .V.- 'riiihly ;dst> I’hosa at tiu' Kxt ra-s(‘ssiou a now Cd)uno.il
ol’ A ppoinhni'iii <d’ wliitdj SkiuiHU’, Hownc, and hjva.us worn ineni-
harsd I’Aans caiiu' to Alhany, an hout*st and iiUaHiiaMit youny; nuin
IVoiii lilt' W (‘sli‘rn district as a (dintoiiian, but beiii<j^ disgusttul Avith
hi.s A-'Soriaii‘s \n tlu* Lt‘”islal un*, lu^ sought nio out, in one ol’ our
( Vui’Usi'NA hid’ort* thay s»‘pa!‘atad frt>ni us and wluui thoir loaders mu*o
tryinir, ayaiint. our opp^^-^'d ion, to oljlain an adjourmiuait, and told
uir that hi* Inn I lo-t all rourukuua-, in thr nuui witli ^vlHun In* ^va,s
at’tin^r-* and asktMl mo. to (•^)n^i(‘n^ to an adjoiirnincait, which I chccr-
fuily did. Iroiu ahirh time to tlu* (uid oT his life he was niy fast and
;icti\c IVicnd jM»!it ifally and ptssonally.
* 'Phl'i 1‘lrriluJl WMM Iti'lil '“itj N’oVi’MliuM’ S, 1 .S'JI), 'I'llP I’tjH WllH Wnl)(‘r UoWIU'
Ilf thf‘ MMilJii i’jj ill frill, .Id)!! 'r, Miii'j’i*, of On* iniililh*, Ko/*cr SKiiuirr of jho (‘iisloni,
ami Oadij li. fivan... ».f On* ur.-icrn. 'Djo Cliniun fajalhlah*:-) wro* 'rownsi-iid, IUjn.h,
l>Vo} liinr.ljaoi auil il.n li»u. .'•^klniii'r wji.'i al Ikia IImh* rnllrd Slali's Jiulfjjo (jf lli(»
icaaliiTit tll'iliii’f of S' w lurk, n.: WfU tia a airttilnT <tf (In* Sliilt* S<*imU',-- W, 0, l'\
(MIAPTKll VI I.
first, ([ucstioii tluit; prcstMiffd i(s(‘li' :i(. tlu‘ (‘iisuin^* winter session
wus lluit of lining the vaenney in the ollice ot Uniled Hlaies Sena-
tor, occasioiunl by the expiration of j\Ir. Stni ford’s lerui. Our
iVioiids came to Albany in the. opinion that, the time lead arrived
when my services on^ht to be ti’auslVrred to tlu' IVali'ral <i,‘ovenuuent.
Mr, Sanford received a few votes in Oaiicus, but on the. a])pointmcnt
every democratic ineinbm* voted for me, wliilu he reccuved the votes
of the dintoniaris. I had neillicr sorK‘itc*d ilu*. place mn* (akeu a
sin^'le siep to promote my ele(’lion, bid was i>Tatili(‘d by the distiiu‘-
tiom My ohl professional opponent, tdisha Williams, tlicn in the
Leo'islatur(‘, olhoHal to su[)])(jrt au*. in iHdnrn for my having’ once siis-
tain(‘d him a^'ainst. one of my poHli('al friends, in a mader l)y \vhi(‘h
the forluue of his family was made; I told him that he was mis-
taken in supposing' that \ny was imd(‘r any (hli/j^-af ion to me, as I had
only done in that (*as(‘. what I thon‘i:!d. was rii’id. Imt that. 1 v'as
pleased with his smise of the aci, ami hatl. cmiainly no ofjjections to
his (‘asin^i; his mind hy n^turnlnii; tlu'. suppost'd fav(jr, whi<'h would
1)(‘ don(‘ hv v<Kini>: wifli his hsleral fritmds for Mr. Sanford.
Tills ninusinl him v(M’y mmh ami indmuMl him to say in tin*. IIoiis(‘, in
his own way, that lu' thou'.dit I was (lu‘ lidt'sf. man for Senator, lm(. as
he was ^h(^ very im*arna(.ion td‘ old h'(*dcralism, ! wonltl not let him
^’ot(‘ for nu*, and tlu'ndorct \'olcd for Sanlord.^
In Apt'il soiiu". forty ^u’ent lemim, of tlu‘ balt'cal [larty, most
of them youn/i: mtm of talmd* and alt occnpyin.!!; r(‘spe<dahl(‘ positions
in so(»iety, <’umi‘- out with an Addre.ss in, which May insis((al that no
‘MiijL^lnmimhal fi'derarmt'’ would support (dinton. d’he us(' of this
expression ohlained for them i.h(» d(‘siirn’ation of the hi^L^hunimlt'd ”
in the polititail nomtmclutnre <jf the linu's, whil(‘. i-lanr diunonst ration
af>:ain.st the (lovernor sernriMl for them from his friimds tla^ l(‘ss
fhitU'riug .HolirifjUi'f of ^"tla* forty thii‘\ esd’ '■ »fohu Ducr was tlunr
ablest, man, huf. his Kedtu'ali: in was so deeply dyeil ns to lumtrali/e
* 'riu‘ oiUK’UH for tho pui'jioHt' of iniinliij': n t‘MniU<ln(c for Uo* Cnlloil SIuIch Soiuito wnn
hoia on Kobruary 1, IHlil. Sanford wuh nondniitoil by Mr. Koiualins of Nonv Vra'l?, and
IVtr. nidrod. of O(n{‘ro, brotiKld forward lbf‘ nano* lif Van niiji*n. No riiar^:i*.a of nt*;t!i.<'l
of duly or wani of biyalfy fo tho parly won* la.'ido apalnaf Sanford, and, i( wna urpod,
timl lo Hot him jiHldo wllhoul cauHo, \v<»idd In* ctpdr.'donl bi a viio (.f .-(.trauro, r-rul hln
poUllrnl uHofuluoHH, and (h'siroy Itbs p<dIHoal oluiraolor in (lo* |odil(o calimalioii, IIIm
K r<*ut Unowbal^o ninl oxprrlonri* in ctmunorolal niVab’H iHM'ullari’.y llttiMl Idni to ropro
Hi'Ui Uu‘ Siato in llio Sonnio. I'td. Yoinn; notod as VfUi nnn-n’H a<lVt>«’ato, anyln;!: thal
vvlDi Kufiia ICIii;r In Iho Stamli* iho oontmi*rolal miiliora would Jiavo propoi* alti-nllou,
and on a ladlol Van Hnnai rotadvod r>H votos a?.ralm:l r i for hl.f opjouionl. A roaolnlion
wuH fuloptod <*x{#rcHHlvo of tin* oonj)<]onco <d’ lln* naofjn;!: In Sanford, aa lailni lo Ida
wtumdo<I focdiium. W, I'\
UhI <}f the forty who Ripnod (!io adilr<*:'H of April 11, ISUo, will 1 k» foutnl In Ham-
mond, lliRtory of I'alitlcal Parllca In the Slate of New York, I, Glib. — W. C. R
104
all hi ‘ i*fh‘rts t<i hrmiiii* a *^riu* suns of Kiifus King* wcure
prninint*nl mruihrr . Thr \vht»l<‘ nunihcr Winv indtu'd Md. Kinji;’’s
do\<>ttnl Irilild , :nid iii*' aihaiH'i'inrid- was Ihi' u<*art*s( liu‘ir
htsarl '. I hi'ir ujjpnsiiion fo Mr. ( Tudon, io u'lioui (hey allowed no
credit ha* tie* liis iVieiitls had ^'iveu (*(> Mr. Kin<»:, was cor-
dially riH‘ipn*eatctl. doiui^kins was iiot. to (heir (as(e as a candidate
{ur too hnt wlaai his n(Mni!iati(»n was deeidtal on (h(\y supported
him u ith /eal and (Idelity.
hhai cti with (heir tieitdy and witli (he spirited luannei’ in wddKdi
(liey ?,ust:iined their pedfioiu I hecanu* more intinude with them than
wa- liu* isi e with atty olin'r prominent de!no<*rt»t, and formed sim'ere
altaeliiurid « (n cveral id‘ tlieir nimilH‘r, ()iir fimnnlly ndations were
; I reny 1 !a*Mi‘d \i} the early ."land 1 lni>lv in favor <d‘ Mr. Kin<^, and
Iheir euiivi liMa that he wa.s principally indehlial fnr liis (di'chnni to
that circniu taner, a . (law well knew ihal (he |’ri<m<ls of Mr. (diidon
wotdi! Uiil <dherwiM‘ ha\t‘ supported him. My parlialily for tluau
[irodttecti htsart hniaiinpson lh<^ part <d’ many deiiKaa'arn* yoime* nuMU
uliieli, in reti'at'd (o .‘{»nu% were m*ver tail ii’ely rcanovcMh Ida U‘!*a lists
from their birth, am! of (la* td<k' ( and :-.tricl(‘s( stad, (hey could no(,
make much imprt^' ion hy (heir effort- upon (he d(Mn(a‘ra(i<‘. ranks,
and failin*r (o draw after (liem (ho-,e from whom (hey had separaiial,
(heir ^ luaa* . wa not eipial (o (heir exptadai ions, m‘i(iu'r wm’e they
trenli’d hy onr paj1\ with l!u‘ eojr.iderat ion which llii‘y (hon^'ht, (hey
deMU’veih n,e.sridmt‘}d ■ euKeudm’ed on I in* jlr.d. inomtnds of separa-
tion hetwetm jiolitical a^ ioeiate.-; are always arec^-ihle io (lu^ mollify-
inf'^ inlluenet* i of funner ympalltn* md enlindy eAr!n^»ui, Inal, and
fln‘ n*eolltadion {*f common struirede: am! triumphs in tin', oh! cause
pa\a*s tin* wav for re union, ‘ilic e are mon* etlieiiad wlnnt (lu^ ctuise
is otu' in which tlnw or (lit’ir ;nic(‘.vt<irs ha\a‘ atajniiaal <lis<incliou.
Most of (he e ecidh-meu had from early manlnaid tmjo\aal hi<:!;h ami
inihumtial poMion in wind wa:: called yooil sociefy, and (la* sut)-
position that (hey e\]nn*(ial to ntaaipy. on (hat- actaand, (am*’
sideration in (In* d(*moera(ie ormtni/.:di(m was no( ataa*pliihh‘ in (hat
<|UHrter. 'Fliere wa - a warm ta)nenrrenet‘ in h‘tdin<j,‘ and opinion
hetwetui ns upon tin* poiid that hronuld tis (omdinw opposKioit to
Mr. Clinton hut in regard (oo!h(‘r malters ui* wm-e far from eider-
lainin^^ similar vitwv.s llpon .Hime of the lat((*r wa* w(‘re ealhal to ae(<
(oocfln*!’ at a p(*riod wln*n !h«* ariloiu* of our lir,--! einhraees had iu
.‘'Otue (k'^rta* » idisi<it*d, ddn* first (lecasltm of that desi'ripl ion wnis
pre.M'Uted hy the ( *(»n\ <*ul i<m for thr loeisiou (d’ the Shale (‘ou-
st i( nt iou, whieh imd at Albany in .\n.tcu“t
d'lie (’oiudy (d’ Albany, whtu’e I nv ided, heine: then hopelessly
f(ah*rah tin* deimaTut:^. cjf the larj^v, agrimilt nral county of Otsepfo
^rUi^ «rinv(aitttm n?iMau!4ol nt Albany 2H, umi did not tdofjc* !(« taamloiiH
tm Novi*mb«r 10.— V. R
! ■j!
i't
i * !
I i
!
t
I
elected me to the Convention without even apprising me of their
intention.
The federalists insisted, and generally believed that we main-
tained our ascendency in power mainly thro’ the influence of the
Council of Appointment, and were therefore feverishly anxious for
its abolition. Convinced by full experience that the possession and
distribution of patronage did us more harm than good, as a party.
I early deternuned to advocate its diffusion to the widest extent
that should be found practical and consistent with the public in-
terest. When asked by the President of the Convention (Tomp-
kins) on what Committee he should place me, I replied, on that
“on the appointing power”. Not understanding, or rather mis-
understanding my object, he smiled, but complied with my wish.
The fact that I was placed at the head of that Committee^ strength-
ened the opinions of the federal members and made them quite con-
fident that an effort was to be made to preserve the Council of Ap-
pointment in a form perhaps changed but of unabated efficiency.
The President gave me an excellent Committee, embracing how-
ever, blit under proper control, some of the most violent denouncers
of the Convention. Among these was Judge Ogden Edwards, of
the New York delegation, an honest, capable and well-meaning
man, but always overflowing with political prejudices. Plis dis-
position in this respect was vouched for by his own father, as re-
lated to me by m.y friend, Idoger Skinner, who, on his return fi-om
a visit to Connecticut, liis native state, told me that he had met the
celebrated Pierpoint Edwards, the father of Ogden, and that he
had added to the usual enquiries about his son the question whether
“he had got through damning De Witt Clinton yet?”
I rather mischievously delayed calling my Committee together
until the suspicio-ns I have referred to had time to mature. When we
were assembled I proposed to call on each member for his general
opinions upon the subject committed to us. Mr. Edwards imme-
diately suggested that the Chairman should give his views first. This
1 declined to dcj on the ground that such a course would be contrary
to parliamentary usage, according to which the Chairman is regarded
as a mediator, and, to some extent, an umpii’e between the conflicting
opinions of the Committee.
The process I proposed was then entered upon, and when finished
I deferred giving my own views until the next meeting. At that
meeting I submitted my propojsitions which were in substance.
1st To abolish €lie existing Council of Appointment without sub-
stituting any similar institution in its place;
1 The full committee contained ;Martm Van Bureii, Birdseye, Collins,
.Tes.se Buel, Child, Ogden Edwards, and Rhinelander. — W. C. P.
'Ju»i ulv t{>r nf nil miliiarv (^Huum’s l>y the (‘lioict^
uf (’nUij'nun’ , ,iin! iMiinulrs;
‘Tn t!it‘ :t}»pouit iiitnit tjf hinh Ju«rn‘i;il OHitu'rs lo llu'. (Jov-
rriinl* ;uni St'Untr, :iUii
lilt Tii pr^vitlr tlif uf nil otiu'r Oilii'ors, snvn only JiiS'*
tirr *if ihr hy llu' iN‘upi\n rttlnn’ thi'uim’h n ppoini iiinn! I>y flut
latiinn i>r l»y «lirui*t rlmnitui. I’lic J iinI iriv. uf flu; as Jiidi-
rinH HlUnns* uiiplit utj|, I aid, io luMdauiml, hnt (o l>rin^,t liana as iK'jir
In lliu Prn»p!t' n > po ihh‘ nml nvuid lln* uhjia'iions lo their eh‘(‘tio)u T
prop!* tnl that twii li t - hinihl Ite laatit' in isudi eoiuily, oiu^ hy l-iia
Ih»aiai n| Supui n ur |s\hf» wvrv thrui'i'h'i’r. «*hM't{*il hy (lit' lh*(>[)le
in rat’ll tuuui aiul tlir uI!ut hy thi' rfjnniy etairl- Jiul<Li;t‘s; wlit'.nmnn*
iht-r iwn !i t . uirrml I hr rhoii’i' slnaih! he i‘ianpleiin and whinuwer
ihrv tiillVruii ihr t HAtn'iiur • huuh! srha'i the rhisliees from thein.
The jt*ah m niemhei’ nf i he ( ’iauininet' wan t' no! only disappoinfiMh
hnl - non* uf I hem runhaindta! by my proptvdi inns, ddit'y wind: so
far heynud tlieir e\pertai ions, in tli‘4 rihni int*; Ihi^ pal rona^e. of the
( ho ernuamf , and in i rm»n ini»dhe yroinni niptm whitdi (!u‘y <e\pee(etl
th(‘ halth' in rm/aid tu ihe appointing’ power |o ht*. fon^hly as to
di’aw from ‘.nme the eharre of railieali. ni. The (jiieslinn in riunii’d
to dn tiee. of the P«'aen Was the tmlv remaining: point- on wiiieh
npeeehe . that had lw‘en prepartah in t*\pi‘e( at ion of a tliiienMit n'porl-,
eould In’ direeted. My rei’oinmmnlal ion-; wi‘re siihslanl iall y atlopted
hy the rnmmitlee, hnt the portion of them rtdaliny; lo liu' ehthet', of
dn .tiet*, wu : violently a sailed in ilii'M onvenlion hy I lurfederal mem-
her am! al o i»v the 'Mo’di minded " pi.nileinen, I r.laletl frankl^y
the prineiple iip*m uhieh that pari of mV report was founded, and
that I 04111 adeied it u fair . uhjiMi, for dilVenmees of o|)iniom Tim
que-tions were wle'tta'r the .[)irif of tin* rule, (<> whiiT i'Vi'ry body
then a enled, tliat the iiijidier rlmliriai < tllu'er.; otiyhl noMo he eha'ied
shtmhi in* re p4'eti*d in provitlint.*' for the idmiei* <d’ due-tiees ol ilu‘
Penn*; nmh if '‘U whether the modi’ proposi'd hy (he (Mmmitlee for
t ladr seleet i(ju wa - the l>e.d.
Mr. Idifu. Kin**- atfai’kinl the proposition wilh ^p’eal. earnestness,
and rrureely eonemdril a^'rimony. A Her imnmeralin^^ a few ohje<s-
tion hr it prur.tieal opm’iiTmip he took up (he. suhjeiq. (d‘ the olil
(Muueil of Apptnntmenf, and ilenonntanl it a.i a maeliim' Ihat liad in
time, pa t been Used and abused to inonopoli/,e eent-ral powm*. Al-
lliou/^h his remark', were not dina’tly aimed at me oral my friends,
thev were, I (hoiqflil, nllirieully sii.neeptihh’ of (hat <'ons{ rne.tiou to
n‘quir<’ not lee friJlil me.
! reidii'd at erm idt*rahle leu,n:(h and with some, warinlh atid in
the eour.-e (d* my remark . alluded dern-ately hiil i n lei 11 ^ 1^1 hly i.o
.MS. I, IK l UJ.
±uo
AiVLii^UiCAJN MibTUJLUUAL, AISSOUiATiOJST.
of the uses that had been made of what he denounced as the Central
Power of which he had not complained. This affair caused a re-
serve in our personal intercourse which continued for some tune, and
until the period arrived when our franking privilege as United States
Senators commenced. He then came to my seat and announced the
fact to me as a matter'that might have escaped my notice, and at the
same time pressed me to dine with him.
After dinner he prop>osed a walk, and in the course of it spoke
feelingly of the collisions which j)olitical life almost unavoidably
produced between the best of friends, and the inquietude growing
out of them, and said that the best remedy he had discovered was to
forget and forgive — to sleep upon the matter, and rising in the morn-
ing to wash, shave, put on fresh linen, and think no more of it. Un-
derstanding the object of these suggestions, I also came to the con-
clusion to dismiss the subject from my thoughts, and our personal re-
lations resumed their previous footing.
Some time afterwards, and during the session of the Convention,
an editorial article appeared in the Argus remarking upon this and
otlier differences of opinion between this section and the great body
of our party — admitting that to some extent they had been antici-
pated as likely to occur in the course of time, but saying that it was
not expected that they would present themselves so soon. Wlien I
came into the Convention, John Duer, in a courteous and not un-
friendly manner, repeated to me the closing words — not so soon ” —
w*th significant emphasis. This led to a farther conversation in
which I admitted that the article spoke my sentiments. We dined
together at his brother's lodgings with a few mutual friends, and
had an animated conversation upon points in regard to which we
entertained diverse views, in the course of which, becoming con-
vinced that there were radical differences in our feelings and opin-
ions which must prevent us from long acting together, I involuntarily
stru^fk my hand upon the table ^vitli unusual earnestness, when he
instantly turned to me, and said that is the indication of a grave
conclusion! May I know what it is, Sir? ” I laughed at his inter-
pretation and turned the conversation into a different channel.
These occuiTences produced distrust, but no j)ersonal hostility, or
even determination to sei^arate. That was brought to pass by the
ensuing Presidential election, and the influences it called into action.
A large majority of the Democrats supported Crawford, the rest
dividing upon Adams and Clay. The high-minded ” espoused the
cause of Mr. Adams zealously, and the feelings produced, or rather
revived that contest carried them back into the federal ranks, —
then called National Republicans — where the survivors are still
serving as Wings.
( 'll M’TKU VUl.
1-
, , ,,,1 11 V >-11 1-..1 I'"' I'loUi'ti “ll- Allii
^ A''’’"' ■ (,• 1 , 1 ,, 1 jiinlV; inn. anil iiuil, I bfl'u'V'',
.i m- ni..n. ..rr..iuu.i.ia
"''■' "r, •’ It u, i ntiTtaMUH.-ul niM-n :,( Hm -iinn.u- »! a
(.. HU- . ■ 11 ,. .,,.pi,.:uh,-,l inn auil nnli'ml luU) ii
Chill lliiu '• • ' ,1 . i iiii.'l . Ill' (111* ill"'-
f„,,h!nir ri.nvin- atip ^ i,;,. i„.otlu*i*
hull : nin,. I Uii 1 . ,,„nlially, iml tlx*. iiUia-ol
.Iunif:.‘ ntul ‘■'‘'■'1'"^' ;' j,|.- i‘„ (h,. ,.,'mv..T.sirmn i^railually stAll'-
t n l.*:',i.‘nvhiu,i*; in.«l unili.nlanilluf^ it, ml.luu*
en.nl l.u U.v li.llt, .tl I y.,l, sUuul-
ulti'ui>tly but fi-'x. n.i > " hi'*'' -uni in.niiin'luanrmh: Hici whnln
h,,, a, i.H... a. aaui-i*. an. '» ‘b- i u j
1 1. . vuur ul.l rncHl C'luu-lns.”
-V”; ; , C I n.il linl a .'ll Ua-l .•vn* 1 h***u u.V paadicn to
I I ll' ' ' Ui'i- -ii v ili".iivil il, Imi. nl'i'i'-y^ l‘>
I'b, » .n
n„.u- .i.y .11 i.'.i-y „( •■Arisii.i.'s”
hittrr ,uu ppnilui-tiniMa* *rn-;it <H‘U‘hrilv uv
wnlti-nliy William I.NhiN'.-; * u - vw ^, clili'r
•''* S''?;'.; Viii.
h,,„h.T..f Wa.Uuihfai ,„.l tl. wliinlh 1
ylua-i. .•.lili-il 1'.'' a nun.lii-i • York AniWimn,
Wiinirmf,a..a Irmnc |va a n.n publiailinns, ol
ciUtnil I’.'itU >.n''‘a( alnli >. j 'j ^vrillfii by -Inl'ii Ibinr)
. iru'U *• 1 >inu Shift ' b ; ;;;; ;;; . s,i.h..n,imi.*.i.” Tim
win (bn mint iiinuaiil, wnrn tlu* ma ^ ^^p.^noili'T
Hnrriti* "''‘i'** hnailnil « ■_''*i’'' .,,,,i-(i„.'.Hiit.>:linrinili''l’’l'‘''''y-
IbuniUmi «'*ri* Iii-nmiimii nil n ^ imtiTnily nf mil' liublu*.
t ilii U.U.*;. wuruini W. Van Noss.
^'‘‘7n'h."iri!'v '''f till' SiU»-miu- f<»* n'i*i'iving ajbnbo Imni
i— '-b... -
» Him' till’ li'Hi'l'
nun*i» rjtiii-rrt W I'-
110
AMERICAN HISTORICAL, ASSOCIATION,
the Bank of America, to secure the assent of the Council of Eevisioiu
of which the Judges ivere then members, to the act of incorporation
The fact that the Bank obtained its charter thro’ the most daring and
imscruiJiilous bribery practiced upon various persons, occupying
different positions in the public service, is undeniable. The matter
was investigated with great solemnity by a Committee of the
of Assembly, appointed on the motion of Erastus Eoot, upon tlio
exhibition of the charge made by the Editors of the New York
American, Charles King, Johnston Verplanck and James A. ITaniih
ton, over their own signatures. The Judge appeared before tin*
Committee, supported by an imposing array of Counsel, and the
principal pai’t of the session Avas occupied Avith the examination/^
The Committee finally reported that there was no gi'ound for tin-
interference of the House, but the public mind did not respr)mi
favorably to the conclusions of the report. The consciousness of
this fact x^i’^yed upon the Judge’s spirits, and hurried him to n
premature grave.
Judge Van Ness Avas by nature the ablest man among his usstj
ciates in public life. His facilities for early improvement had 1 uh*u
but limited, and he had no taste for deep study; the brilliant I’t'pii
tation he establislied as a lawyer and Judge was therefore
founded on the raAv materials AAuth A\diich nature had liberally i»u
doAved him. His personal figure was imposing and his maniuT .
peculiarly fascinating — so much so that CA^eii his enemies coiiriro
his society. He was a member of the Constitutional Convention nf
1821, Avhich Avas the last public station he held. In tliat body
proposition Avas introduced by Gov. Tompkins, and support c‘<t
Erastus Boot and a host of other democrats, to vacate the oliicc.s
the Chancellor and Justices of the Supreme Court by the new ('mi
stitution. Although the Convention had the power to do this, it
had certainly not been expected by the Legislature or the People
such a step Avould be taken. Sincerely desirous to secure the rc'.spn. ?
and sanction of the public for our proceedings and oiiposed upM?.
principle to a course so proscriptive, I thiw myself in the
against the Aveight of my party and opposed the proposition. 'Vi *
neutralize the prejudices of friends, and to conciliate moderate mn.,
whilst resisting a measure, the success of which thi^eatened all
remained of the former greatness of Judge Van Ness, I deeiticMl
a fit if not a necessary occasion to allude to our past relations, fi'hr
Avas done in a speech delivered in his presence, from which the Un
lowing in an extract:
Tlie judicial officer \Adio could not be reached in either of those Avny.s, ms.
not to be touched. There AAwe, therefore, no public reasons for the mvnhSit
" MS. I, p. 145^
1 See Proceedings of the Committee appointed to inquire into the official Corubu s
WiUiaip W. Van Ness, New York, 1820. — W. C. F.
AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF MARTIH TAS" BUREJI.
Ill
and if not, then why are we to nriAn* n . • i
ni.nl' "1“ Bupi^sed that he above all others v.-ould be exeuscl lor
ncluluns them. He could with truth say, that he had th.-ou;rh his whole
~1 "Sit 'T iTi P--ofessi:.iil
pusoiMl-hostility Which had been the most keen, active and unvieldin" Bu'-
sir, said he am I on that account, to avail myself of my situation as ^ repa-
senta ive of the people, sent here to make a constitution for them and iLir
posteiity, ana to indulge my individual resentments in the prostration mv
private and political aclvereary. He hoped it was unnecessarv for id, a ,o ...y
that he should forever despise himself if he could be capable of such conduct
He also hoped that that sentiment was not confined to himself alone, and tiiut
the Convention would not ruin its character and credit, bv proceeding to sue!,
extremities.^
A siiiRcient number of my political friends voted with me to de-
feat the proposition. The Chancellor and three of the Judges were
members of the Convention. The latter left soon after to hold the
Term at Utica, and the democratic portion of the Convention, no
longer irritated by the active intermeddling of Judges Spencer and
Van Ness in matters supposed to have paitisan tendencies, was los-
ing the memory of my rebellion against party discipline and of the
whole sub] ect ; but the return of those gentlemen with renewed ar-
dour to their work of political intrigue caused a new proposition,
sufficiently varied in form to evade the parliamentary rule, to be
promptly introduced by a lay member, and procured for it a vigor-
ous support. I felt that I could now do no more than give :i silent
vote against the measure. The proposition was adopted, the offices
of the Judges were vacated, a new Governor was elected before the
time arrived to fill the vacancies, and neither Spencer nor Van Xess
were renominated. They both resumed the practice of their profes-
sion, but his misfortunes preying upon A^an Ness’ proud spirit his
health fniled, and he went to South Carolina in the hope of re-estab-
lishing it 5 but there, soon after, died at the house of his connexion,
Mr. Bay, a highly I'espectable resident of Charleston, I was inform-
ed by Air. Ba]', many years afterwards, that, in the closing scenes of
his life, the Judge spoke often and feelingly of his political and per-
sonal controversies, and that whilst he referred with much severity
to the conduct of some of those wuth whom he had been in collision,
he took pains to say that he should die without complaint or l)itter-
ness against me, who, altho’ among the most uniform of liis oppo-
nents, had always treated him frankly and fairly. His unfriendliness
throughout his public life did not prevent my sincere sympathy with
him when he fell, and with his friends in their pra^^^rs over his
ashes.
^Reports of the New York State Convontion, 1821 ^Carter and Stone <. p. 5o5.
AMl'.UU’AX IllS'rtJlUfAh ASS()(’1ATI(VN'.
A n(‘\v ( it n( inn was adnptisl by (In* ( 'niivinit ion proviiliuii: for
iiicr<‘:i"{*<l arlitHi on tin* part of {ho PoopK* I luausi'ha's in (In' nnin:ii>*t’-
nionl of piiMir aiVairs, and liln*rali/in‘i; and olnvalina' I ho political
institutions of (In' Slab' (o (ho .stuiulard najuiri'd hy (!u* advanocs'
niadi' hy puhlio opinion in that, diri'otion.
I ha\j' notiootl (ho part iliat. 1 took in ro‘i:ard (o (wo (juostions ih;U
Wort' aoti'd uptin hy tho ('onvi'iition hi't'anst* (lu'v wi'ro inoro or k*ss
ooniplii'atod with (Uhoi- inattt'iv. Ttv do au nitioh in roh'roiuM' to alh
would rotfuiro inoro spaot' than i tliink it woidd hi* pro])!'!’ to tlovolo
ti> till* .‘ id»joo{;; hort*. d‘lu*rt* was soaroi'ly any <|uostion I'aisod in tho
di. oii si<»n (d’ u liioli I did not [larlioipah* (<» a- <i:roa(<‘i’ in* h‘ss oxtout,
and tho (' di; oii>“ ions as \vol! as tlu'. voti's that, followoil thoin aro to
ho round ri'portt'd in tho. ullioial proot'i*din/i,*s and puhrnlu'd aotauiiits
of tho doinu;: ol’ tin' < ‘ouvi'ui ioin wldu’h ]nihlioat ions, nit lad not aooin
rate 1 hrnu<»hoiii , aro raifll('!<*n( ly .' i> for all important purpost's.
t )n ono point iuds ^\ ill I add a fow words of ('xplanation, hi'caiiso.
it h:i.d‘oon tin* iihjiTt. ofunioh romark, and id* iniudi partiy.an misri'p-
ro ontal inn.
At ono .v(a‘ro of oiir pmooodinos I was alarnu'tl at tho o:rniuid (akou
hy a unruhrr* of my [lolitioal friotid ; upon (ho i(i(t‘stion of MillVap'.
'Fhi'V .'oomoi! uillin;r to yo a| niioo from a yroatly rostrioti*d r.nllVayi'.
to oin- !ia\inn’ hut. tin* appoaraiioo of rost riot ion, whioh I oonsidort'd
X (MW lia/ari|uu a ■ woll to onr inst it nl ions a • to (in' siiooo! s ol' I ho work
of tho t*nn\ontion. I proforrod to movi* n|»on this truly important,
point : tf'p hy : top, and to ath aiu'i* a . wt* slnudd (ind oiii' (‘Ivo-s ju U iliod
]»y oxporiiMioo, d in* parti/.an polioy (d' ad\ ooat iny oxl ri'uu' nnur nro';
<d‘ I'oioiny popularity, tru:s(inn‘ that somohody olst* would pri'vonl
t !u*ir adopt ion, or that pt'rohanoi* (hoy miyht not work as badly, if
adopti'd, a lu} r»si (ut ant ii’ipatoi !, ha: u(*\M*r, I <*an oonsoii'utiou ly
.* ay, boon ndm*. 1 (horofoiN* oX(‘rtod mysolf in mod(*rat(* tin* (‘\tt'(*m(*
xirw of my Frlond and, ulion noo{‘-.sary, (o oppo'o Ihoin until tin*
Milfrano ua o tahli hod on wliat I doomod sa ft* ainl rt‘a' tuiahlo
yrotind ■* hh»r (hi , and iiptui tin* ywound td' t*xpi*t‘;w;itm t ltMrt‘ly and
iuaooundi'ly ri*poiti*d 1 was for many yoars mtioh ot*nsur(*tl, Imt, I
!n*liovt\ not iujurod, h«‘oau:M* tho Ih*oplo saw tin* soundiu‘ss of my
moti\t‘ t*vou (hrid tin* dist(>rtt*d and fahv vitwvs, in whit'h, for sini: (t*r
pnrptow s (hosuhjot't wiu-i pn*s{*ntod to thorn.
d’ln* now’ (oil' (it lit ion was approxwd and adop{(*d hy an immt'nstx
inajtu'ity of tin* Pooph'd dudyt* dost'ph (\ Vaf(‘s xvas t'h'i’tod (inv
(‘rnor, nndrr it. proxisitms, wifimnt. tipptrat ion, (Jovt*rnor (diiiton
I'ntirim*^' to prixaio li fo, ami I soon after took my s(‘ai in (ho St'nah'
n 1 till’ I I ! ; h"d X ;i h‘. .
’ 'I'lu- r* :'.»U l-‘nv* fl Va. i*’II III i»r Uh* OnnHfUunon mitl Il.-iaT vmI>-;i mriUn’M
fSL nf aa.asa ui* tiu* ca {niupUcm. w. o. ia
CHAPTER IX.
© rans ei fiom the State to the Federal Service has generally
en considered as a discharge from responsibility for the mana<-'-e-
mt of the affairs of the former, but neither friends nor foes would
rmit such a result in my case. The first had claims upon my
atitiide and good offices that I was not inclined to disregard, and
3 latter found or fancied a party benefit in charging me with
fluencing the action of the State Government from Washington
ro the agency of representatives at home to whom they gave the
me of the Albany Regency.”
Hie inconvenience, to say the least of it, of this ubiquitous re-
onsibility was strilriiigly and very disagreeably illustrated by
inging me very early into disfavour with the new Governor whose
mination I had preferred and aided in effecting. Judge Yates
.s an honest man, possessed of a good understanding, who always
signed to do what he thought was right. He warded off too strict
scrutiny into his mental capacities hy a dignified and prudent re-
we — a policy that long jaractice had made a second nature. He
d been strongly tempted, by liis marriage connections, to depart
)m the simplicity of life and manners characteristic of his race.
:S first wife was a Kane, a family which almost without exception
LS distinguished for the personal beauty of its members, and their
tural dignity of carriage, and which had made considerable ad-
nces towards the establishment of a sort of family aristocracy he-
re it gave way under the pressure of adverse circumstances. His
jond wife, with whom he acquired a good estate, was a De Lancey,
powerful family at the commencement of the revolution, jealousy
whose superior position at Court was said to have had great in-
euce in inducing the Livingstons, and other families who figured
that contest, to espouse the popular side. My acquaintance with
rs. Yates has led me to regard her as a good woman of superior
Liid and sedulous in the performance of duty. I paid the Judge a
fit at Schenectady at the time when we were preparing to bring
n forward as a candidate for Governor, in company with several
the 'Hiigh-minded ” gentlemen to whom he was A^ery partial,
bile we were at dinner the conversation was mischievously turned
one of the guests for his own amusement to a matter in regarf to
dch our host ^ and myself had, in past times, stood in opposition
” MS. I, p. 150.
127483°— VOL 2—20 S
CARNECtE
OF TECHNOLOGY LIBRARY
with n hurst of lau^litiu*, ami luh. having (lu* sli;L»:ht(*st itliai
(»r iiu'ivility (»r uurrituulliuuss, she he^an to ai)prt^tu‘iul (hat she had
sliowu Ixdii ail apprehiuision (hat it eost me no small eH’ort to eirure
from her mind. 'Hu* ('ireuinstaiiee sli]L!:hi' as it was, st reu^i^'thened
my impression that slu* was not. in all respeets well adapted to (he
(dlieii (d’ ^nardiiiii: her hushnnd a/^ainst tlu^ tdlVets of a suspicdotis
(imip{‘rament. whieh had hemi always an ohstaeh* to his advaneimumt,
and was the prineipal eaiisi' of liis railurc* in piihlii* lift*.
( )n my way to \Vashinij:l on, in llu^ fall pretaalin^ tlie »Intlf^e\s
a.s.'aimpl ion (d‘ his ollieijil dnlit*s, I nmiaimal some time in New ^*ojiv
windin«r up proiVs' iimal eoneerns at the NovemhiT d'man of thi'i
Supreini' (’inirt. .Many of my friemls wma* tluu’t' in thi' proseeution
(d’ their professituiai imga‘i;eiuenls, and sonu* wen* douht h*ss hrou^ht.
tlii'i'e hy thi*ir rondiie^s for jjolitieal ^‘o.ssip, and by a desire to take
lease of me. I had not hei*n lon/j; in \\hishin<i:(on bi*fuiH* I li'amed,
thi’o' a -ouret* entitli'd (n my (‘onlidenei’, that tlu* (io\i*rnor I'leet had
lir*en tfdd that 1 hail a’-sembled my friends in a jirivatt* metdiu'j: at
.New ^”orlv. at whieh we had marked out. a eourse for the (Jovernor
to pur* ne as the indi:' pen-.abh* eondition of our support, ddiere was
of eoiir e not a word of truth in thi;. story, and umh‘r ordimuw eir
emu tane'e. I wiuild lune taken im notiei' of it. Hut I knew the
{hneriior' di po it ion, ami (liat he w as surrounded hy mi*n in wdiom
I had little eoiitidenee, who owed me no ‘L!;ood will and who had
per oiKil olijeet . whieh (hey lui^dit hope (o protuoli* liy availing
(heiteehiv. in thi . form <d’ an iidirudty (o whieh (hey knew him (o
be subjeet, I therefore <k*fermim‘d to u<hba‘s.s myself to him di-
reelly, ami to lu.ake a .serious elForl not only to disabu.se his mind
upon ihr purtieulnr ]>oint, but to pn*venl ibi* n*enrrenee of .similar
misunderstandings. In tin* propriety of this eoiirse, Mr. King, to
whom I meutiomal the suhjeet, fully eomairr(‘d, and I wrote a letter
to the (to\i*rnor in whieh I refi'rreil to ilu* story I luivi* mentioned
n:. a vile falsehood, exprtvssed my apprt'hension (hat. otluu’ misreje*
re*4mtalions nf the same eUarm’tm* wouhl he nuuh* by had mi*n for
.sidfish purposes. a\owed my disimdinat ion to (he slightest jauvonal
inter fereiii’e in affairs whieh had, with my hearty approbation, hern
(’oimml ted to hi . hand , and elosial w‘ith what app(*art‘d to me a idtuir
ami « t>mdu i\e argmneut to show (liat I eotild havi* no possible inter-
e t . tliat would he heuetitted by Ids overthrow ami an us.suranee that
the first wi:4i of my lieart was that, he might sustain himself suei’ess-
'
n\un\ VAN UtniRN.
115
fu!]^' aiul lini}.iM'Lil4> HI hi . pn.siiiou. With most nicu
(hi' wtMihl hr , -11 uilirit-ut. l.iit :i ^ tn him tlu‘ soil was too favor-
ahlt* ilu* i.iiiK m| tiu‘ r<*«i 1 i' ?i< h*a \ ( M I r(*t I lo i*i*a(li(*utt' and
(In* uw^ v ■ wrir tiH, mihimou and inditsi ritais io admit of any
siifiT tn nt) rdurt . Ill- liad uraki'iuMl hi-’ posifhm l)v his jnalousv
j(i an rKtrni that laiahli-d tla* frit-nd . td’ ( ’i)l. Voiui/Lif lo nominaUM-lu*
laltrr in hi. piarr ohu tn«»' thr . urnriniiu;^' wiidrr. Irritated by this
IV . all and th iiii t me aliiifi .t lOi'rv hn.ly hv was iiidneed to take an
{diii'ial 'tr|i witjrii 1 \ull ha\r oaruditm (tj refer to hereafter, and
uhiidi tiuall\ pr«‘ rraCvtl him a piihlie man.
I rutf't'rd SmtaU* uf !lii‘ ruit(’d S(att*s in l)t*remher IS^Jh at.
tlie t'nuunrie'riisrnt r»t Mr. Monrn,*' . MM’und Presid(*nt ial '^Iknan. ,I()hu
tfjiillard, id *^i»uth t^iriduia, wa- I lam. a% he had l>e(*n for many
year . Ihe i tait nfthat hnd \ . I ntM‘d add nothing to the,
dr *ai|ai,,n pnen nf hi^ «*harae(cr by (’o|. Ihmlofn in his
ddiirt) ^ ear \ ieu , rM rpt the tApn* .ion id’ my fidl eoneurrenee
in what lia hem n urll .anl. 1 \va iir M phnaal on both tin* ,hi(li-*
eiary and hhiiane,* t ^muiut tei* , and :-nnii ; ina’eiMhal to the ('hairjnan-
; hip id' the (nruieia a iMiiiplimfiit to :o voting a mait, oti his tirst.
appear. iner m (he Siuate, whieh I eonld iml. fail appr{a‘inl(*.
d'lirie V, .1 at th? priiud a perh-ef ealm lu I hi* ))uhlie mind npon
|i<ditieal uf*f^‘et , and the Admini; t rat ion eonlintied (he <'0(irs(*. it;
had por an d durmp tlu* pre\ imi ■ term, unlilce any slnee that, of Wash-'
imdiui, uithmit an meani/ed oppo ilion. 'The important questions
that oeeiipied the attention <d’ i‘on‘.nv.'-; ilurin<i: tlir; Pri'sidettey of
Mr. MotH'ie wmt- thn e of Internal lnipt‘o\fuu*n(s by tin*. Id'ili'ral
(hoenme-m ;hvI a 1 h'l it,‘ei i \ e d'ai'iir. Slmneer |)roof {‘oidd not- he.
required id' the eapaedv of oitr y .lem of tiovmmmeui. lo deal with
ddlhaflt pnhhe »|ue tn>ir , and (In* r tren^th il d(*riv(‘s fi*om that.
Mtnrer, tlian the faet that tho (* dl tnrhin/r’ qtie;.t ion:;, whieh (jiarlien
larly the hittm eme,h in (he liottted day id' their a/j:iatioit, to
threaten the euntinnaner of tin* rniom )n r-o brief a pei’iod not. only
eea ed tn inihuue the Ik'opte. hut, ill the MOisi* iti \vhi(‘h (Inyv W(‘re.
thtm aduh-atr.l and oppo-eih ha'i* lh^*ome virinally ohsohde. 11 is
ui«>n\\nrth\ of remark that neit her o f ( lie thereat que;.i ioir; orie’inuted
uitk the Admini tra.fjnn,or uet'i* reinirded a:; AdmitiisI rat ion M(*as-
ure . ‘hhey found their oriirin in ot her : oureeo and weri* eulletl into
exiMeiiei* !»y idher I’l m. iderat Ion . than those <d' Kxerutive. ri*eom-
nM*tidat ion.
Mr, .Moiirne \\:i. uni ver ally rerarded a< the last of that, ehms of
State men to uhieh the edUntry hud invariably (hc'retofon* looked
for Ihe ideiitial eanditlate , dlhr. fuel was siiilieienl. to bring for-
wari! for the uevr mn (he name . n{ tho i* of tin* sm'e(*(Hling gemu'a-
liou who detsued thern i'Ue., oj* u rj'e deemed iiy their Iriends, as
posses' ing utlieituif et:um^ to the tli-d inet iom
AMKRK’AX niST()UH-Al, ASS( ' I A’l'lW W .
"riu' niosi proiniuriil of tlu‘SR wi‘iv ('liiy, C^ilhoun, Crawford and
Adams. I nanu‘ Mi‘-^srs, (lay and Calhoun lii’st heciuiso, from vary
noarly (ho Ix'iucinnimi: of Mr. Muni’0(‘'s Adiniiiisi ration, ihrir n'sprr-
tivr (‘(Uirsrs won* im»s{ thdlniiidy .diapt'd io that- (*nd.
Mr. (May was Spiaikrr t>r tlu' Iloiis(» (d* Krpn'Si'ntativrs, had iv-
iiirnrd with <rA// from his Mission of Piana\ and rnjoyrd an oxtim-
sivi' popularity with unronuuon facilitii^s for its enhir<^(mum( .
Ml’, (’alhoiin was StauaMary of War, (ho undouhtod favori((‘ of tho
Pi‘osid(mt, ami in point of tahmt, industry and Urn art. of winninji;
popular n’pird soai'ooly iiilVrior to Mr. (May.
A laMtor tiold lor tho disphyv of poIitii*al ability and ta<'t. than
that. pros(‘ntt‘d to tiu‘st' dist iujiruishod ;a’on(h'mon oould not- luivo Ihmui
inia*^:!!!^^!, MMu' old h\alt*rnl Party, yot stroiijLC in numhors and rirh
in its traditions, had htam rtalmaal to a. low condition by (ho (’ourso
it liad iaktai in rof?:ard llu‘ Whir, its fornau’ loaders, either from
policy (U* cou\i(‘(ion, a(’(|uicso(*d in (ho oondomuatiou that, liad beam
])ronomiot‘d upon it. and llu‘ futiiri' alh'^ianoo of its naunbtM's simuikmI
to ho (dforod as spoils of oomiui'st. to domoorntio aspirants to tho
Pn'sidimoy.
IvMdaxatioii u{ (In* ria'<ir.s of part}- dis<dplin(^ and a(Ms of ammvsly
in fav(»r (d* \amjuirhod fodcu’alists splomlid sohonu‘s of Intc'rnal
f luprovonumt at tlu' oxptmso (d' ilu‘ h'o(h*ral Tnuisury with nmniti-
o(mi hountio'. in tht‘ form of oiu’oura^Lronumts to Domostio Indnstrv
to tin' North, the IxaM, and tho ^\M‘st, w(*n' (In* popular apptails and
hhmdishnionls with which Mr. (May and Mr. ('alhoun, laioh soimro
In his position at. hona\ tmtonMl into tlu^ Pn^sidimtial (Minvuss.
ilomH‘ the ooiuinmal Ao'italion of all of tlu*s(‘ (|uos(ions from mair
lh<‘ h(\irinnin^’ In tla* mid of Mr, Monroi*'s Administrataon loaNin/r
thmn at its olo o a.s ini:ottlod as (hi‘y won*, at. any staf>;o of tlu*ir dis’
oms .ion and us it wa . expoditmt to Prosiihmtial aspirants that tlu‘y
should b(x MMu‘S(* topioks for a political oam|)ai<j:n wore wis(dy Si'-
looted, and proihu'od apparmitly (‘xlmisivi^ <dfoots n])on th(‘ pnhbo
mind. MMio jf»:roal Statiss of Ponnsyl vania. Now d<‘i*st‘y and NM*w
\h»rk, with tin* tmlin* W'ost, swallowtal tin* bails tliut w(‘ro hold out.
to thorn umhm siuMi allurinji: disguises, in which tluw W('ro joiiiod hy
tho h'ustoru Siatt's as soon as our Vankoo hredhron saw that tluH
protiH’tivi* pcdii'V had mapiirod a suHioiont- hold uiion tho. country to
make it. safe, for thmn to divert, (la^ir supt‘rior skill and industry
from Commerce (n Mauiifactunss. So iiTi'sistihlo did the current
n‘em to ha\M' hremue that (‘vmi (hm. daekson, with all his
iianei‘ to (sphu oixit inn, ami all his f{*arlessn(*ss of responsibility, was
fain, when he was broim^ht into tlio Pn'siihmtial Canvass, to taki'!
rofuiLro under tla^ idea of a ""jtidioious tariiL”
ThoHO, ns I have said, altho' (ho jirominont M(‘nsuros aetisl upon,
oould not ho rogardi'tl as among those of Mr. Monroe's Adminislra-
AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF MARTIH VAN BTJREN. 117
tion. Although he knew that the protective policy was supported
by several members of his Cabinet, he never recommended it in his
Messag^es and he interposed his Veto against a Bill for the repair
of the Cumberland Road in a message in which the whole subject, so
far as it related to the exercise of Federal jurisdiction over the
territory embraced, was elaborately discussed.
T was established under the Presidency of
Mr. Jefferson, and whilst Mr. Gallatin® was Secretary of the
Treasury. ^ It was originally contemplated to be made out of the
avails arising from the sales of the public lands, and was established
to promote such sal^. But Congi'ess soon fell into the habit of
anticipating the receipts from that source by appropriations from
the Treasury and this [practice] had been almost annually repeated
foi nioie than twenty years and had received the Executive approval
from Jefferson and Madison.
The jurisdiction by the Federal Government, which constituted
the foundation of Mr. Monroe’s objection had never been exercised;
but he was, I think, quite right in assuming that the establislmient
and support of the Road involved the claim of a right to its exer-
cise and therefore fairly presented the constitutional question upon
Avhich he took, as to that point, the true ground. The Bill came up
soon after I had taken my seat in the Senate and I voted for it
rather on the ground of its paternity and the subsequent acquiesence
in it, than from an examination of the subject. The whole matter
was afterwards very thoroughly investigated by me Avhon I found
reason to regret that vote and to take not only an early opportunity
to avow iny error but also a decided stand against the claim in both
aspects of Jurisdiction and Appropriation.
The unavoidable and improper conflict of jurisdiction between the
Federal and State authorities that must arise from the establislmient
of the Internal Improvement Sysleni advocated by its friends, was
apparent, and the objections arising from that source was insuper-*
able. Pressed by tlie force of this argument the friends of the Road
almost always shunned the discussion of that branch of the subject
and insisted that the Federal Government could exercise a salutaiy
agency in the matter by appropriations of money without cessions of
jurisdiction. This power was fully conceded by Mr. Monroe, and the
exercise of it was sure in the end to impoverish the ISTational Treasury
by improvident grants to private companies and State works, and to
corrupt Federal legislation by the opportunities it would present for
favoritism. I shall hereafter have occasion to speak as well of the
part I took in tliis matter subsequently, as of the total and, I hope,
final overthrow of the principle.
"MS. I, p. 155.
Tlie siil)je(‘t of rira(*y bot’uiuo prominout iu tlio discussions of llio
Senate, and I made a si)eech upon it.
Several Amendments of tlu‘ Constii-ution, iu n'^^ard to the ele.(‘liou
of President and Vice President wanv also offered and discussed.
Upon one introduced hy (jov. Dii'kerson of New rI(U’se 3 ^ lamce
calliHl the New flei'sey Plan, proposiuii^ t^> district (he S(ati‘s, I <leliv-»
(‘red a Sp(vch of which I have only (he prepandory noies; (h(‘se may
be found (o contain su^’^’estions of some interest and ari‘ n*ivi‘n in ‘
The wise disposition of our P(*ople to di'al prudently with matim's
t()iiehin<j!; the safe a(d.i()U of theii* politi(*al systi‘m in tinu's past is
strikingly illustruttul, in view of th(‘. inade<}Ua(\v of tlu' provisions
of the Ck>nst.itution and laws for the. n-ovtumnumt of ( -on^’ivss in {‘au~
vassino’ the votes for President and Viee. President, by tlu‘ success
with whi(‘h they have avoiih'-d diiramlties for s^>- lon^* a pt'riod upon a
point in wlfu’h their feeliiy^s are always so (ka'ply ex<*ited. Appiv-
liensive of (lann^m* from (his soiirc{‘ at tlu*. (‘k'ction of iHiil o, wlam,
fix)m the numl)(‘r o-f Candidate's, it was gimerally assunu'd that, the
eitH’tion wonhl <’ometo the* House, tlu' St'uate iust riudial its efudieiary
Coinmitfee to (‘onsidtu* tlu'. suhjet’t. ami to i*eport (hereou. Aft(‘r t;on~
sultiuf*; with the olden' aud more e‘Xpe*rie*nce‘d Senators, 1 re'porteal a
Pill su])j)lyiu^ (miissions in tlu'old law, whii'h passeal the Semati* hut
faiknl in tin*. House', As the' law i.s still in tlu' same, imperfect. Stab',
and till', matt e*r may some' day bi'(‘oui(‘. one* of conside'rabk'. inte'j*cs(., the
note's of my Speech upon the. Hill, which we'Ce' fiirnislu'd to uit' by (lie*
Ki‘port(n% l)Ut, have* in'vt'r be*en j)nblislH‘d, are* i.dvt'U in ‘
' Iu (Itti Van I'iuhm'h, uiuli'i* (Into of UocimuU*!* LJi), iHlia.
rilAP't'KK X.
I lu‘ }>t*i ii>il by Mr. Monroi* s Atlmiuistriition AVi\s iiuuli*.
inrinorabli' by the cnuvn^s for (iir .siuvTssioa (o wliirh I have iilliulcHl
uiul by his eilurts to briu^^ ulnnit ;i fusion of Parties.
Mr. .Monr<ieVi rhuvavirv was (hat of an honest man, witli fair, but
not vtuT inarktal <’u}nu»it ies, who, ihronivli life, ])errorimHl ovoiy
duty that devolved upon him witli serupulous iitlelity. He had
been honorably eiUineeteti witli our Uevolut ionary (Mutest, and from
(he be^inuin^ of our party tlivisions was foumi in the same ranks
with JetlVi’son and Ids friends, altliou^lu liki* Mr. Madison, he. was,
while perfeetly situ’ere, yet from a tUtreren(‘e in temperament, iKuther
so minu‘st nor cai^er in his devotion to (heir I’ommon (ainse. But
twt) eireumstauiH’.s ota’urrtHh at early pm’iods in liis polilieal eanuu*,
well euleidated fi) stir Ids feidin;L»:s ami to wliet his political /aval.
Having l>een ap[)i)inted MiidrUer to I<'ram‘(* hy Ukashin/i;(()ii he
was reealli’d nmhu* eirenmstunees implying dissalisfa.eliom lie
npi>taUt‘d to the People for his vindieatiou in a. puhlieation of some.
Ieu/i:llu c‘harae(i‘r}'/.ed. as it has a))peariMl to imu hy ^wwi fairness.
Tin* .siSMuid unit ter alludml to was as follows: a ni.an hy t he
tiuiue i>{ luwnohl : ImvinjJT, on si'veral ot'rnsions, thrown out in-
timathjm- that he was possi'ssial of information (hat. would ineuipate
(’rindnnlly the adndid^ljrnjion of the 'rri‘asin\v l)(‘partuuint by Alex-
ander Ilamilfon, ( Mu^o'e. s appointtsl a (‘ouuniUee. of inv(‘stijL»:at ion
('ousist in^ of Monroe, Waiahh* and heijuM*.’
Knowinjs* (liat the relatiiuis biUweiui himsidf ami Reynolds would
re{(idrtv expluuutions wldeh it. would not. la* a.^i-iHaaihhv to ofhu* on
a public in V{*“U ipii ion, llainil'lon invited the ( 'oinmil.tiu* to an in-
ftjrmal nmetin^C ut Ids tovn ollietu and llu’re made to (lunu a. (‘onfi-
(lent ini (amununieaf ion shewinrf that, hi ; eonneetiou with Reynolds
out of u eriminal intenmurM' la^t.wetui Idnisidf and Mrs, liey-
nold.s, in all prohahilily h(‘^om with tla* (amidvama* of lau‘ husband,
and endetl, after the lapsi* of a certain time, in tlH‘. pndimded dis-
eoV(uy hy him, and (la* pef'Uniary ts\t(»r( iom:, under menaces <d’ vx-
posiins common to .sm’h east's. This stut(unenl was neeompunic'd by
the (‘xhibititm of a series (d’ letten., reet'ipt:; for money and otluu*
papeu’s, placing its truth beyond all doubt, dda* ( Vonnnii t(‘(* jh*-
portt'd that tlu‘ imputation was ‘iroundhrs, and <h(^ sul>ji‘(‘(. soon
passed from tin* )mbll(’ mind; but ;i ldst4aw ai' llu*' (biited States sub-
wujueutly appeared urilten by tla‘ wcdl known James ddiomas (^ib
M’ongrrHJi tUU tutl iiiiaMiui u rMUjiuln»Nv An hif<?rnml Invc^illKullun wum iit.uin hy
Fr**ilk. A. .Muha-nlw'o:, .luint*?4 MnmtM' mid AUnUmm Vrtmbln, U«*liM‘r wan imt
\n eoaaTFttMsi until IH2\K
lender, in which the chai'ge of peculation against Gen. Hamilton
was repeated with much solemnity. The latter sent the publica-
tion to Mr. Monroe, and made a respectful and friendly application
to him to be relieved, thro’ his agency, from the odium of the charge
by a statement that would have that effect. Party spirit ran high,
and Mr. Monroe omitted to comply with this request. This omission
drew from Gen. Plamilton a letter that was not a challenge absolute
or conditional in its terms, and contained no expression from which
an intention to make it the prelude to a challenge could be positively
assumed, but no one doubted on reading it that such was the Gen-
eral’s ultimate expectation. This was answered by Mr. Monroe with
a few but slight words of explanation in regard to the course he
had adopted, and with a declaration in conclusion — ^from all that
appeared in the correspondence, quite abrupt, — ^that if the General’s
letter was intended to convey a demand for personal satisfaction his
friend Col. Burr was authorized to make the necessary an-angements.
Gen. Hamilton denied that such was the intention of his letter, but
said, in reply, that if an invitation to the field was intended to be
conveyed by Col. Monroe’s letter he should not decline it, and his
fiiend Major Jackson was authorized to make the arrangements that
would in that event become necessary. Mr. Monroe disclaimed such
an intention, and the affair w^as terminated by a letter from Gen.
Hamilton wdiich concluded wdth a declaration that he did not regard
the case as one calling for the resort that had been referred to.
Gen. Hamilton, thinking that the only way to wipe off the re-
proach that it was attempted to fasten upon his official character,
published to the World, a complete history of the transactions, in-
cluding all the documents submitted to the Committee, and the cor-
respondence with Monroe, in a Pamphlet written with much feeling
and signal ability.^ This having been done without consultation with
his friends, they took unwearied pains to suppress the publication,
deeming it neither necessary nor expedient. But few copies es-
caped their efforts, and one of these was sent to me, many years ago,
as a curiosity by an old gentleman whose antiquarian tastes led him
to collect and preserve such things, but I have °not seen it for a long
time, and what I have stated is from a recollection of its contents.
I read it at an eaidy period of my life with great interest, and
could not but be strongly and favorably impressed by the readiness
with which Gen. Hamilton exposed his moral character to just cen-
sure and the feelings of his family to the greatest annoyance, while
1 Observations on Certain Documents contained in Nos. V and VI of The Tlistory of the
United States for the Year TiDG, in which the charge of speculation against Alexander
Hamilton, late Secretary of the Treasury, is fully refuted. Written hy himself. Phila.
Printed for John Fenno', hy John Bioren, 1797.
" MS. I, p. 160.
N liul h‘at iu:'. !un “fli* :al nuhiurf hnui inuiirrittnl n'piHKU'lK Hui.uot-
\\ it li t a IP i n j:* ihv pi ht \ li. . |M‘!’.nnal plinrui’liT, iiiul luy (*(>n-
fuli'ia «* !H ill ii‘f% 1 t'Muhi ut*i It' i’{ tlip im ivadiu^
tlip nu’ir jutiMif'ip rp that ( 'm1*pu* 1 Muurni*'s (li <ir(l(‘i*ly iiuiM'sion <d‘
ihi* ri'iMilar t*']* • M»*h nlLiir ^ hy liia bull inowal <d’ a riaKli-
ui* ■: tn lirht iH-furf' hi' ua phalhai^' nb ha vinu- (Tna'shMl Un‘ c‘onit‘.s(. of
it - ioniial t'la\iiiiv and imbiPi’d (lu* (haiaral lo briu^* ii. to
a ditli'rmt ri* ult ii'-au tir.it uliirh hi‘ had at lir.-i- ronltanplaiad.
It J ip‘t unUhrly tliat tufr i*nlliann-, N\i(h ;Lj::rril li‘uu*n at. thi^ hand
th* thr h'rdrial t »n\ rl'lUui'Ut . \\hil>l t hry aiihl’diMl a listd'ul sliliUllus
tu Mr. Mitiutu' . p;tiii/urt /rah aKrartrtl (uwards him, iuuh‘r Iho
pobtiral t' Viatrforlit tij t hr [n‘ri<Mls \vhi*u (1 h*v orruiTrd, a hir^XM*
>ltart* fd [Jtipular atti'iitinu ;uul h'tl hi mon* niiiii(»r<ms |Mihlic, i‘ni[>l()y“
nu'ut . than, umI b»'in*» ritlaa* a gnotl .‘-pralaa’ or a i»‘o<»d wriiauy or
n'lnarloiblr h»r an\ fnkiUix aarninpli JiuaaiU ht‘ ini;j!;ht; olhorwi.si^
ha\r rnj«»\r»I. llaviui/, lir idr , bia'i) luini and rrariMl on Ihr rad
I !a V prouHil . of till* t )hl I)niiuuinu, ;,o rrli^bralad for (ha ]>ro(hi(*i.ion
of Ih’ivadriit , it i ifuitr natural (hat hi» i.hnuhb at> au rai‘ly janaod,
iiavr ruUii- tu tlir rouidu imi that lo lu^ ainoii^ llu^ stlrrrssors <d* Whish*
inyhin would n«4 r\ri-»'d hi-. dr-.rr{s, d'hal hi‘ tlid not. Ihiidv his ow'u
pirtmlnm'. unroa ouablv po tpoui'd l»y llu^ prtd’i'riuirr. o-{\-t*n dcd'-
iV{. on, hi ‘ oior in U'ar . and w ho i* {'iaims np<m Mu*. roididi‘tit'(*. and
I'auir of 111 tuuuti'v ut*n' inroniparahly .siiprrior (o liis own, I rau
uril inriionr. Ihu it hr«*:uur a \ riT dillVn'nt airair wlu*n ila* day
arri\rd bu’ ihr rlioiia* of Mr, Ji‘irpr..on':; siUMM'ssor, and \vlH‘n i.ho
d^Mhhu on tin* n-d ;.oi! roidil hardly hrlii*\n it. por.idihlr. ilial. i,hi*.
othrr portion nf thr I niou woidil hi* lunirinntly :;t*l f dniiyin^’ (o
Hi’quir .ri* in unv furl iirr Pidrrt ions from that airrady hi^idy favornd
.spot. It, i. wnll known that Mr, Monroe's feeliti/j:;: were*, deeply
sotintl hy the rlioirr of Mr. Mudi.oti for (he :au’e<*:ssion (hroil^’h the
udluenre id' Mtp JeHVr ou not seen or hearil or exerh‘d l>y improper
ineaUt hut not Mu* ie . t*ileetual. din* eelehraied Mroit'sf ol »lohll
Hamlulph and hi a oi iatev, for a lon*.^ lime* disl in^'idshetl hy the
en«/uoinen of '* the lh'o!i’.sh*rs," was niadi* iu the. in(i*r(*s(. ol Mr*
Monroe, and loti^^ and lHtti*r \vt*re their d(*nnneial ions (d Mu* tatt.iM*
lor ueeeptiut.^ oillee mnli‘r Mr, Mudi; ou. »h*(lerson and Madison,
phirahle, ju:d and siiiema*, \vt‘re doulilless il(‘siroiis that- (heir neifi;h“
hour and friend with whom (hey had lon/L?; h(*en a.ssoeia({*d in Mu^
ptdilii* r.er\ ii’e, and whom Mu*y respeelcal and (‘sh‘(*nu‘d, .slionld tmjoy
(he same hi**:h di (inelion wdiieh had been eonfertvd on themselves,
if that eould bo rlTeeled uilbuut doin^ viol(*ma*Mo I he feelin/j^s id’ t he
rest i>f tin* eountry, Ihit, wiMi Mie ext-eplion of a sin^h*. uet,^ Miey
Iru trij tie* j'l* ult to tlie well kiiowu uud oil (‘Xj KU’leiieed partiality ol
the Uepubln-an Marty for the di: t inj^uished men of the Aneieiil Do-
minion. d‘h(* oHiee of Seeretary of State luul beixane a sU*.pi>in<i;
stone, to the Ihvsidtnicy, so inucli so tluit Mr. Clay, at a subsequen
l)erio(l nnil in nn nnlia|>))y moment, s})()kc of the solootion of Presi
ilimtial Candidates from that station as following; ‘Cs*a/V? pm*edviht^,
Mr. Madison had, as lias already been said, with that sinf^le, hearted
ness and hioh siai.se of justice* that formed a part of his charactei
olhnHal llu‘ pla(’(‘ to ({ovt'rnor Pompkins as a proof of the estimatio:
in wliieh lu' held his patriotic and useful services.
(low Pompkius'* di'ckmsion and tht^ coiisexiuent selection of Mi
Monro(*, in ail prohahilit y, coiitroule.tl the (piestiou of the succession t
Mr. Madison.
I visitiul \\'ashin<;>ton during* the st*ssiou and enjoyed j:rood oppor
tunit it‘s to ohservt‘ tin* movtanents that were oil foot, hdie friends o
(lay, Lowndes, Calhoun, (dieves ami others of less note cvidcntl;
loolo'd to their ri'speetive favorites as not. yet riauly foi* the (‘oursi
bill expi'eted tluau to h(‘(‘ome so by the imd of Mr. Monroe’s txnar
and nil willing’ that, the place should he pre-oecupuMl by one o
tln'ir* eonU*mj)oraries. (’raw ford, also, hut not so clearly, fell withij
tlic sco|u‘ of tlu*s(‘ considm'at ions.
Mr. (h'awf(jnl was hy far the .st.ron<2;cst. of these aspirants, am
mi.U'hl. [HU’hnps ha\»‘ lu'cn nominatc(l, if his fritmds had taken opci
and un<iunlilii‘d pa’ouiul in his favoi’. Hut. they wi‘re seriously di
Nidctl ill reyartl t«) the policy of such a course. Many of them, in
(liicmaal hy an a jipridumsion that dia'idcd o|)])Ositi(m to Mr. Monro
miylil he uiisu(‘ci‘ssful and injurious to (h’awford's future ])r()spec.t>
wci'c (rn;p<iscd to haivt' ilu*. cjueHlion U) hv (ha’idtal hy time am
chamas
Phe. nomination id' ( iov. Pompkins for the. Vice. Presidency wa
yiuuu’ally favonsl, ami 1 ne\er understood that he expected or de
sireil that, his friimds ; hmdd attempt, to bring him forward for th
Pri'sidency, nor ta^uld any idforts in that dinadhm have been *suc
ci\s.sftd.
.Notwith {amling this imudion on (lu‘ part of rivals, Mr. Monro
(‘hpaimal (»nly a very small inajt>ri(y in tlu* (\mgre.ssional (’aucus;
n^.siill not. soot liiiig to his feelinn;s. ^The Ihqmhliean Party was great
ly in tlu‘ as’cndant, and Monroi* ami Ponqilcins were elected l>y
largt* majorily.
'riu* Party which had raised rhdlVr.sou and Madison to the Presi
dency (d(Mdt*(l Mr, Monna‘ und(*r the. (‘xpi*etation that his Adminks
t rat ion would lu* similar in its politii’ul asp(‘(ds to thos(‘ of his ])rede
{’cssois, 'Flic I\*opI(» (d’ tlu^ Pnited Stah‘s had, during both o
(ho, os, Aouiini I rat itui'S htaui tlivideil into t wo and only two grea
political pariiiv. It is md iu‘'a‘,S'.ary and would only s(‘rv(*. to nnule
coiupli x (ht‘ ^iew,' intimdcd to In* i‘Xpn‘ssi‘d to make any refiu-em*
here (u the particular i’haract.(‘r nml tcndiuu'V of tluur (‘onflicddiij
ju’itu'iph*'*. {lu* i'ii( i( iu‘f(ts tJiily (n ho s(uU‘tl tluit iu iho ranks
(if tJiU' ov (ho tithor nf (Ih-h- partios whmv in’rayinl nhnost all the Iku)-
ph‘ sv1h» (nok an inforo-a in (hi* iHaua<i;i'iiu*ti(. of puhlio, alt’airs. I’liosn
(liiroriMUH*. lii'‘it ilovolopiMl in ('oiio-n^ss auh in Soinotv duriuo;
(ho la ( (ortu nf (ion, W’ashiu^'lnu s aihiiinisi rat ion, liad a partial
ami onmparativoly .-ikut inlliionoo in (ho olcotion of his suriTssor,
hut wtTo tjpoulv priulaiuunl aiul luainlainoil with, niiuli oarncsl-noss
duriuy^ that MU’oosscjr’s ontiiv. utlniinistratiou. Tho ivsull. of this
oouiliot of (ipiniiuis was tlu‘ oxpulsion of Jol\n Adams from tho ofllco
of Prc' iihmt ami tlu' (di*o(inu tjf 'rhomas lollhrst)!! in his placo, Kof
intolorant hy uaturo Mr. flidhuvuju nuulo an inidlVctual td fori, to allay
tin* warmth of tlu'st* party dithoHmors and to provtmt thorn from in-
vadiny^ nml poi stmini*: Ihi^ porsonal rolaljons of individuals. Ihit,
triH" in lii ‘ tru-.t, iu* not only atlminislin'is! [\uy o;ov(‘rnimmt- upon the
{U’imdph's for whirh a mnjt)rily of tlu'. Pooph*. had shown th(‘ii' pi'cf*
vivt\ri\ hut lu' raJTirtI tho spirit. <d' I hat pndViHuu'r. inl-o his ap|)oini -'
immts- to ijllloo h) an rxhmt suilii’iont 1() ost;d)lish Iho pnalominanct' of
tilts 0 prinolplo ^ in t*vory hranoh of I hr public scj’vici'. 'This la* did,
uol hy way t>f puni hin^ ohnoxioiis o[)inions, oi' (o ;[i,'rat-i fy iHU’somil
antipathic;, hut to yi\c full idlVct to (!a‘ will of tlu^ majority, sirh-
mi Nitm to which la* nai.’artlctl as tin* vital principle, of our tioN’m'u-
immh Mr. Ma»lirt>in tdi‘ch*fl hy lla^saua* Party, iho’ pi’ovcrhial for
liis amialdt* tt*mpt*r ami far the ahstaicr of any Ihin^' lik(v a. p]^o.s(‘rip“
ti\ c dispf> it lop, pur>.ii{*d the saim* coiirsi*, ami upon t.lu*. sa.nH^ prin-
ciph* l!a* pcrTtuamiucc <d* a puldic trust in ri^^uird to the terms of
whidt tluuH* wa.. no ro<nn for doubt.
d'hc Atlmiui Iratitur <d’ .Iclhnson ami Matlison, (uuhrac'ln^ a pm’iod
(d’ .* t\ttMm ytMi’., \\rVi\ frtati lir.si. to last, opposed hy tla^ fi'dm’al
party w ith a <lcK^‘‘*‘’ ^d’ vitihmct^ unsurpa.ss(*d in mod(‘rn time's, h'rom
(hi^ :.la(cmt‘n( mic ed* twti ('<uiclH;iions must r(*sull. Mii.lu'r ilu\ con-
dnej (d‘ (hi* t* tw.i [lartic*, width had hc(*n k<*|d. on foot so lonx, heum
sustainctl with sUch tlchuanincd /cal ami und(‘r sucli patriotic. [)ro-
fcs.sioir. ami hat! crisdctl distimlitnis that ht'canu* tlu*. ha<l/i^t‘S td
families {ran-iui((tat ' fi’oni father (o son -was a S(U’i(*s ol shamt^-
less itnpostnre-, etot'rintc nu*r(* si ru^»:ii:les for powm* and pal romp^’e*.;
or tluu’i* were diilct'enees of opinion atui princitdt*. htdw'ce*!! (htun
tif ttic pa-isilc ( ehurueter, tt» which their re;;pt*c{ 1 \ t* tl(*vo{ion and ac-
tive* stu’vice could ml he. relaxeil with tahly or ahamltmed without
dishonor, \Vc .houhh 1 think, la* tloituj: yreat. iuj tr-iliee (o our pi'eah^-
c(*vt)rs if we douhicd fm* a moim*id ( he smem'ily fd' (host* elilfei'enct'S, or
tlu* hom*st V with whit‘li they wi‘re (‘utei’taiueil at l<‘;ts(. hy tlu^ masst's
on hntii r ide . dhe uiajtuhy td‘ the People, the :’ovt*rei^ni power
iu our (hivcrumeut, hatl airain auti a/JCaiu, atuI t»n (‘Very o(‘(*asion
MH. t. i«. nsfi.
since those differences of opinion had been distinctly disclosed, de-
cided them in favor of the Republican creed. That creed required
only that unity among its friends should be. preserved to make
it the ark of their pofitical safety. The Country had been pros-
perous and happy under its sway, and has been so through our whole
history excepting only the period when it was convulsed and con-
founded by the criminal intrigues and commercial disturbances of
the Bank of the United States. To maintain that unity became the
obligation of him whom its supporters had elevated to the highest
place among its guardians. Jefferson and Madison so interpreted
their duty. On the other hand, Mr. Monroe, at the commencement
of his second term, took the ground openly, and maintained it
against all remonstrances, that no difference should be made by
the Government in the distribution of its patronage and confidence
on account of the political opinions and course of applicants. The
question was distinctly brought before him for decision by the
Republican representatives from the states of Pennsylvania and
ISTew York, in cases that had deeply excited the feelings of their
constituents and in which those constituents had very formally and
decidedly expressed their opinions.
If the movement grew out of a belief that an actual dissolution of
the federal party was likely to take place or could be produced by
the course that was adopted, it showed little acquaintance wdth the
nature of Parties to suppose that a political association that had
existed so long, that had so many traditions to a^Dpeal to its pride,
and so many grievances, real and fancied, to cry out for redress,
could be disbanded by means of personal fr.vors from the Execu-
tive or by the connivance of any of its leaders. Such has not been
the fate of long established political parties in any country. Their
coui’se may be qualified and their pretentions abated for a season
by ill success, but the cohesive influences and innate qualities which
originally united them remain with the mass and spring up in
their former vigour with the return of propitious skies. Of this
truth we need no more strildng illustrations than are furnished by
our own experience. Without going into the details of events fa-
miliar to all, I need only say that during the very “ Era of good
feelings,” the federal party, under the names of federal republicans
and whigs, elected their President over those old republicans Will-
iam H. Crawford, Andrew Jackson and John C. Calhoun — ^have,
since his time, twice elected old school federalists — ^liave possessed
the most effective portions of the power of the Federal Government
during their respective terms, with the exception, (if it was one) of
the politically episodical administration of Vice President Tyler —
AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF MARTIH YAH BUEEH. 125
and are at this time in power in the government of almost every
free state. We shall find as a general rule that among the native
inhabitants of each State, the politics of families who were fed-
eralists during the War of 1812, are the same now — ^liokling, for the
most part, under the name of IVliigs, to the political opinions and
governed by the feelings of their ancestors.
I have been led to take a more extended notice of this subject by
my repugnance to a species of cant against Parties in which too many
are apt to indulge when their own side is out of power and to forget
when they come in. I have not, I think, been considered even by
opponents as particularly rancorous in my party prejudices, and
might not perhaps have anything to apprehend from a comparison,
in this respect, with my cotemporaries. But Imowing. as all men of
sense know, that political parties are inseparable from free govern-
ments, and that in many and material respects they are highly useful
to the country, I never could bring myself for party purposes to
deprecate their existence. Doubtless excesses frequently attend them
and produce many evils, but not so many as are prevented by the
maintenance of their organization and vigilance. The disposition to
abuse power, so deeply planted in the human heart-, can by no other
means be more effectually checked ; and it has always therefore struck
me as more honorable and manly and more in harmony with the
character of our People and of our Institutions to deal with the sub-
ject of Political Parties in a sincerer and wiser spirit — ^to recognize
their necessity, to give them the credit they deserve, and to devote
ourselves to improve and to elevate the principles and objects“of our
own and to suppoi’t it ingenuously and faithfully.
Two affairs grew out of the agitation of Mr. Monroe’s fusion
policy which from their relation to prominent individuals and the
developments of character they produced, may be considered of suf-
ficient interest to be described here.
In no state in the Union was party discipline in so palmy a condi-
tion at this period as in New York, and a vacancy about to occur
in the office of Post Master at Albany, the Capitol of the State, pre-
sented to the Administration a fitting, if it was not also a desirable
opportunity for the inauguration of the policy in regard to appoint-
ments by which it had determined to be governed.^ Van Rensselaer
was, notwithstanding, appointed. Among the papers published at
the time of and in connection with this affair w- as a letter addressed
lit had evidently been the intention of Mr. Van Buren to give an account of the
controversy over tJie appointment of Solomon Van Rensselaer to be postmaster at Albany
in place of Solomon Southwick, removed for defalcation. The Federal side is well given
in Mrs. Catbarina Van Rensselaer Bonney’s “ Legacy of Historical Gleanings,” I, 366. —
W. C. F.
I
V'
' I
T
« .
I ‘(Muoi’nil i«‘ I'lM'ly, :m«l liiat n«> al»u-.«‘ «>!' if-i ftmlidruff i-an luu;'; rmiain liryoml
its n*acli ami plenary rt»rreeti»Hu
li. would liavn Iuh'u ini|H» -IMo at any moimad dnriu'i' tlw admin-
istrations of rleli’fr.on and Maili t»m (Sv at any period sinrr that:, of
floliu {,^uiiH‘y Atlanis, t(» lane eoinpndu‘inietl ihr ilrirria* id* odium
hron/xld ii|»on nu‘ l»y tlii ^ lanpuapo \silhin the pna’in*’!-. «)!’ tlu* White
IIoU; t‘ and in nH» l id' ihe eirele , piditieal ami . tH'iaht^r Whi'hina'tnn.
1’lu' mdsy revels (d‘ hai'ehanalian . in the IniuM' Sanetuary eoidd m>t-
In* nuuv inn\eh’oiue ound tle\oni w oi- Jiippe!* . than \va'» tliis ptail
of (he party tt»e: in in the ear t»r tho t* who ‘«^lnritiiMl tiie Im’u of
thiod I‘'i‘ernijn'."
\^’ldi'>t till - e\ei(enient wa’ at it hlp.he t pi>in! I ttmlv a trip to
Ivielnnomh \ irainla. and \i iti*d Spmeer Ihiane wlnan I laid nevi*r
Siam hut lonp’ knownjiv repni ititm, a a hearty and hold IJepuhliean
(d* the ohi *' .'^ehool. I I’onuil him in my preat laan’et on a heil of sick-
ness, from uhiidu ahlirHieh he ri\ed oiue time, h** nmer ro .e. Ihit.
in all taller re^ peel In* w.) the man I e\[ieetrMl to meet a root ami
hi’aneli 1 lemoerat , e|ra r headed, hone I Insirtisl, ami alv\a\ . able ami
ii*atl\‘ tti dtd’end the t i*.^hi repaivlle n| per onal enn etpieuees. lit*
ram I'd dd larpe fonn to rai erl in Id Inal, ami di ri’parttina; the
reiimm t ranee - of in fannl) he mi («al in talkimy with me for m'v
i*rat hours, lie at ti!i»*e lefnied to the Alhany l*o t t )llier t^lue tion,
ifdtl me that he had read all the pafier in tin* ea-e ;md thoUf^hl- that,
wa* were perree(|\ i iplit in the p!‘,,iin,i ut* hail a aimed, lie etm-
demned in nntjualiliei! ttnan the four n |nn' n»‘d hv Mr. Moiirot*,
spoke freely of pa t e\imf' in hi tMlefO', alul of hi- a ppridiem-ioli J
that ht‘ wonkl, if elei-leil. he pnierueil hy the uew . he had asowed.
Mr. lonine lid'erred, with nm»dt ♦*arm* tm* *, to the eomvi* of the
Snprenm (’i»nrt, iimli'r the Irad tif ('hief Ju t iee Mar* hall, in iimler
minimr of tin* most vahiahln elatiMss of tin* t ‘on titutiou to sup
port the pridemime of the }»ank of the t’nited State . and plaeed
in my hamk. a siU'ie of pap»m upon t!ie ulijei’t fr»tm the ISn hmond
Kinjuirer. writtim h\ lilm idf o\»'r the iiniature of Al»jfernon Si<hiey.
( )n takini*' my leavi- nf him ! referred tt> the manner in \’*hieh hi*
had arranged tin* Ini t of dellVr-.on. Maili on ami Mimrot* in his
room, ami . a id that if t!n*rehad hetm an U Idiuf’ of t he court ier in Id"-
ehai'aeter he w«»nld lia\i‘ placed Mr. Miiuroe, ht* hein^ the actual
1 h'es.ident , at. i he h**a<l in fead oi tla* fottt. !!♦* replied with empha
MS n n- tui.
AUTOBIOGRAPHY OP MARTIPT VAN BUREN. 127
5j No ! No ! No man ranks before Tom Jefferson in my house!
ley stand Sir, in the order of my confidence and of my affection ! ”
The other matter to which I allude as an incident of the history
the fusion scheme, was a Pennsylvania affair. Mr. Monroe and
s cabinet appeared to have determined to take the bull by the
rns — a plan worthy of the strength and standing of the members
10 abetted his favorite policy. New York and Pennsylvania were
>t only the largest and most influential states in the Union, but
30, perhaps, the most devoted to the maintenance of existing polit-
11 organizations, and especially did this sentiment prevail in the
estern Judicial District of Pemisylvania.
If the republicans of those States could be seduced or forced into
L acquiesence in the fusion policy, there would have been the best
ason to anticipate its success everywhere. A vacancy occurring in
e office of Marshal for the Judicial District referred to presented
fair opportunity for a display of the Administration scheme in re>
.rd to appointments, parallel to that of the Albany Post Office. A
an by the name of Irish — an out and out federalist — was one of
e Candidates. Plis application was of coume earnestly opposed
T the republicans, and jproofs of their opposition in the shape of
'otests from the members of the state Legislature and from State
deers, from their Representatives in Congress and from private
arsons innumerable, were laid before the President, but Avitliout
^ail. Irish was nominated to the Senate and the nomination was
mfirmecL Although I happened not to have opened my lips on
e question of the passage of this nomination in secret session, yet,
! it was generally my lot to be held on such occasions justly or un-
istly to some measure of responsibility, my quasi friend David B.
gden circulated a report that I had made a most violent and jacob-
dcal speech against it, and thus disturbed the sensibilities of iny
srsonal friends among the federalists, of whom I always numbered
lany. Mr. Ogden was a sound lawyer and possessed a vigorous
itellect, but although an amiable man naturally, he was a violent
olitician and liable to “ welcome fancies for facts ” in matters hav-
ig partizan relations.
OITAPTKK XI.
T^cvforo T (‘uitM* n])aii ilio (‘n<>:rossinjL»* siihji'd \\[ Wnsirm^ton, (lurln*
Mr. M<>nro(‘'s Iasi. Iriaii, (o wii, ih<‘ (‘It'ciion of his siirci^ssor, 1 Avil
^•iv(^ a hi'ic^f arcoiini of niy si^naioriul
A Hill for iht‘ ronlinnal ion of tin* litl(‘ of Mr. Pox of Hhihuh^phi:
io an i‘xl(*nsi\'o i('rri(orv in lionisitina. ralhal ilu' Maison Uou^ih '^rra<‘
was r(‘rt‘rre(l io our ( oininii llavin*;* from unallVrird (/nni(lii\
and *■ i’(‘s|)i*(‘i for ilu' laxly of wliioli ! wjis so now a- nunnlun’, with
]u‘ld niysoir from d(‘hailo iinlil an advaiu’od |H'riod of (.ho s<‘ssion, 1
(h^ioi'miiuMl io niako iny lirsi. a|)|K‘ai’ano<» on ih<' lloor upon this IVdl
do iltis ond I ii,‘a\‘(* in iis imn’ils a (horouj^'h (‘xaininaiiotu aiul la‘-
oanu'. saiisfuMl ihai it ou<i;h(. no|. io pass. rlani(*s Brown, an oM am
pi*(nniiu‘nl Scniaior and lawyor from Loiiisiana, hoini>’ an ('arly ano
warm friiMnl of Mt‘. ('ox, and vrvy di*('id<»dly in fa.vor of his clain^
Ml’S. Brown hroii^rhi- ((> 11 h* S<*na((* ('haiuhin* .si*\'(*ral disiii^pnsluxl
ladi(‘s, ainon<»’ whom wor(‘ Mrs. ('o\ and Mrs. Johnsion, ilu‘ wife
of his <‘olloa<ifn(‘, (now Mr.s. (iilpin, of Bhilaih’lphia) (o hvnv hm
liiishaiurs sptH'oh.
!(• h('in;L»: U13' hiisinoss as ('hairiuan of iht^ ( ’onunii io('. io o[Hm Iho
niallor (o ilu* Sonalo, ami io .s(a{(‘ Ihi^ olptM’lions io ilu‘ Bill, I ros(’
for (hai. pnrpos(\ and \*t‘ry soon nad. with a r(‘^'nlar ^"hrisak down ’’ ■
as siioh <’ai asl rojdios io yonn/j; i.poakor ; aro oalltMl. llowmau’ s(rani!,H‘
ii- may appiair in \ iow of my poovious piihli<‘and prof(*ssional (’ansM*,
i(. is novorl I h’Ions iria* (hai. iimidily in onlorln;:*’ iipcm <lc‘i)aii‘ in
mnv siliiaiion in whirh 1 havt* Inxm plaood, and <’onsoqii(ml. omhan^ass-
naml' in its iirsi rPimv:, havt* boon inliianilios io whic*h I liavo Ixam
stihjo(»i. in oV(‘ry poi’iod of my lifts h'imlin^ (lui(. I oould imi- pro*
000(1 I madt' my iviroai. with as /^ood a /i:ru(x*. as ])ossihlo a-nd ivsimuMl
my stall .
Mr. Brown was a n‘spt»oiahhs ilur noi, in iny (‘siiinaiiom a V(‘ry
siron/;* man. Ih^ hm! lusm Ion/:*: a( ilu‘ bar in Ia)uisiana, whon* ilu*.
lands in (|n<‘siion wtUH^ siiuaiod, was familiar wiili iln*. ('^ivil Law—
whioh was i!\ forot* ihon* with (ho laws and ordinanot‘s of iJu»
(’o!oni(‘s and (ho Siainit^ laws of (la* Siait*, all of whioh had a boar-
in/^ upon (ho validity of (his (lilt*, and was wilha! an (‘usy sptsdvtM’,
I »lniisil)l(* in his mannoi’ and muoh Inolinod io saroasm. I can iu‘Vi*r
foiyoi odhor (la* iriumphani air with wliioli la* (hrt*w liimst'lf into
MS. r. p. iTtl
tlu' t!i(* with w'hirli Iw ox])lain(Ml
the raii-iv- (.t ii}\ Inihu''*. 1 hi-< h** (Thl liy i*iilaru*iiio: upon fho ititlVr^
fUiv in flu’ li‘,ual .ystniuot’ l/^mi-aana aiul Xrw York, [larticaihirl v
in IV prrt thf |av\ainiuv t.f \\n^ (hvil law. a.ui! by obli^aiioiV
ini* hi . t'un lii hnaa* that ij tha tjUi'stinn had arisnn iu my own
M*rti(ui nf iht' i'uutiivy 1 u(Mihl tlniUitlass havi‘ dona it (nllar juslica
<'nl\ M'*»n*ttini^ tlial I .• honld ha\(* allnwiai inv'sidl* to mak(‘ ii]) so
contiilant an nplninn auainsf ,r> valid a claim without, a hnU.ar
uudt i - 1 aniiiiny ul i^^ nuU'it' . I It* ilu'n prociM'dial in a loii”; discus-
‘.inii mT tht‘ [Hunt - invnUtnl in tin* rlaiin: lail ha had don(> morn to
|U’t*{udir{' (la* |»:t acv oi the liilt in liis t»iH‘nin^* rtanaidcs than his
nbv*.|urnt arnunamt, able a . it nndciid)l(’dly was, could remedy, lie
liad (tjfally r\t mnui - hml tlu* limitlity by which niy (’apac'it i(‘s hml
hern b»r the* nunofut paraly/cth and had tvseih^d in its place, a ^low
id' Ircim** and an ansicty for the reply winch pnl)lic sixadciu’s Nvill
appici'iatc. Hr ■ (hui ] H‘iv(*i\ t*tl (he lui^udiief hi' had domn ami whii'h
(hi* uUc etmhnueii in the rejeeihni of (he Idll by a laron* majority,
alihn }| had pa • ed the Stauite at a [ux'viiuis s(*ssion with only six
\ n(e , uiuiin t it .
W lien I re limed my .-eat heather Maenud as In* was called in the
Smnitta caiine in my jdaee and shaking’ me (‘oiatiallv by tiu' hamh
thanked me h>i* the el \ ire that I had n'luh’red to (he puhlie, and
aid he had ahwiv Indie^ed (he matter to he a, dishonest coneiuai.
'1‘he Hill t«^ eonhrm the liih* havine- thus failed, another uas intro-
dueed, or tlie nhl nuc uiodilied to niaki‘ it a Hill ^rantin*** liaivi' to
imphaid (he Tnited State, and to try tlu* (juestion at law. So
Inul had (lie elianmter of (he elaim heeonu* in <’on‘-(*(|iumee; <d' (his
disem -nm that it failet! even in (hat fornn It was with the rludi-
eiary idmmittee* an annual visitor, anted upon at almost (‘vany ses-
sion and invariably rejeeted. d'he (’oinmittee wtu’e at one time
nearly or ijuiie iinanimou- airaim'.t it : ebaneH*s in its nu'inliers, pm*-
^onul indnenee and sobeitat ions td’ thi' worthy elainmnt and his
uuuieron > friends, atui (ho.se v arums consiileradiotis whicli art* often
Miccessfidly hnmefht to laair on the deeision of (’ongrt^ss in n^^anl
to privati* rbum-, after a time lirou^rhl me into a minority in tlnv
(kanmitfi*e, but not in the Simatia Tii (la* si*ssion of IS'Jt s. wlu'n
I had n*ason to eKp(*ct that tny fri(*nds would take( ua* from the
hotly, I (oht my frietnh Mr, vSeymom*, of \'(*rm(m(S a membiu* of
the (’ommittcc, vvbtj was in fa van* fd’ (la* Hi!) and bad (‘liarp* of it,
and who had made a n*port in its b(‘half, Ibni T )aul a pr(‘sen( iiiu'nt
that I should die before the iu*xt session, aial submitted to him the
i‘X)u*dienry of deferring the aetion of the Si'oate Uj)(>n it until that
period, ruder- tandiim (ncanin^ la* adoptcil my suji:fi;esti(nn
' X.uhiml.'l ,V(.trurt of North Cjoulina. « lIi»nUh> Scyiuour.
vm.L! Itn u
^ ;>•
■
.? ' \
■
• •
stinate opposition. I remember on one occasion meeting him oi
board of a steamboat when he was not a little amazed at my civi
salutation, and while I was President he called at the White Hous
and, in a manner somewhat confused, told me that he called to dis
charge what he regarded as the duty of every citizen — ^to pay hi
respects to the Chief Magistrate of the country. I thanked him a
President, and added in the kindest spirit that I had allowed mysel
to hope that other feelings might have formed a part of his induce
ments, but that it was not for me to quarrel with his motives, s<
long as they were of so justifiable a character. This interview en
tirely removed the asperity of his feelings, and when I visited Phila
delphia after my retirement and a short time before his death, h
evinced towards me the most cordial friendship.
The reappointment of Mr. King did not, in its consequences, I ar
inclined to think, realize the anticipations of either of us. It is no
possible that any such proceeding could have been freer from prc
concerted arrangement or intrigue of any description. I am quit
sure that I never exchanged a previous word with Mr. King upo:
the subject of his appointment, or that I required or received an
assurance or intimations from his friends or from anybody els
in regard to his political action if appointed. Pie was therefor
at perfect liberty to pursue any course his conscience dictated, s
far as we were concerned. Yet I must admit that I expected in vie^
of the general condition of the country in regard to party politic:
and the changes that had taken place in his own relations with hi
party, in consequence of the patriotic course he had pursued in n
spect to the War after the destruction of the Capitol, to find in hii
a disposition to look with more complacency on the success of demc
cratic measui^es and democratic men than proved to be the case.
But I did not allow, this to excite in my breast any unkind feel
ings towards him. He was, altho’ yet in the full possession of hi
faculties, between twenty five and thirty years my senior — ^had 0(
cupied with ° distinguished credit a succession of high public sU
tions, and might be disposed, with good motives and friendly view;
to turn to my advantage the stores of knowledge and experienc
he had acquired. So long as the means he employed were unexcej
tionable and his efforts to turn my mind to conformity with his ow
MS. I, p, ISO,
\vt»n‘ wwU ilflimt'v, I could uot he iinnoyedby
them :itul he lu'Wed lum^el^ ineupuhlc of uctiiio* olhenvist^
I arrivcil at \\hishiu.utnn ahno'4 without u pndViviU’e between tlio
(*amlidule‘. hu* the ue4*t'N ion, nuc Unit I was strone’ly inclined to
rc.mn’il Mr. Adams a exelmleii by the political bias and opinions
b\ uhieh I thojjtdit In* uould be efoAcrncd. Both Mr. (1av and Mr.
(‘alhtum Were pin'sonally more a^!*(*('a]jlc tuid pr<*possi‘Ssin|:>; in their
maumn- , and ! nantriied Mr. ('ra\Ntord, from our lirst uiapiaiiitauce,
as an hone u auil true man an opinion which I never found reason
to elian^^*. Hi . fi'iemb^ staniunl nitu’e anxious to px'(‘si'rve the uuity
<d' the Ivepnhlieau party, and <»u that ai*(a)iud I imhiluMl nu early in~
elituition to him tlie priderema*. But haOin^* that; I was not
aetiiur for myself alone, hut for tuany coulidine; frieuds at home^ I
ihdVrreil eouiins'* to n eiiuehtsiou upon tin* subject until I (‘(Uild have
an opportunity to advise with ihtaji chtrin^ (lav r(‘cess.
Mr. Kimr and mv elf madt^ oitr apprean^hes {o \\’’asliintSi:((>m in the
ueetnslini': fall, very lei tiri’ly remaining' days at I’hiladelpliiii
Htid uho ;i( lialtinmn\ W'e were treaded with much kiuduess at-
l»oth phna-: and pent our time very uecrei'nhl y. ''Phe Presidential
t,)ue‘ tioti \M\ intr{»dueed hy him in tlu' (’ourst^ of our jouruey, and
di-^ru ed on lii . j>ai't in our ilaily walks, and on most o(a*nsions not.
othi*r\\i i* pre (jei’upliMh with much iaiimcsiness. Ihv s))ok{v haiul-
•ouH-l} Mt\ ('raw bual atid without .pccial dispara^imumt of <'iih(u*
of (he (’andidates, and phoMsl his pr(dVr(‘n<‘(* sohdy on the ground of
(he inlluetua^ which the iihjet't td’ .- la very had exi*r((‘d and w'as likMy
to exert in fttitin* on tla* administration of (lit* IAMh*ra! (iovermutmt.
In the eoursi* tjf everal emn t‘nad itnr; In* spt>k(^ of ilu* h)n^ periotls
durinxr whii’h tlie otliee of Pre id«‘ut hatl heen held hy eilh/t'ns td* tin*,
dave States uml tin* pnwt*r tht'V luul thus posst‘sst*d tt) elevate, the
puhlie im*n of their own ;tH*tion and to tlepi’t‘ss o(lu*rs, and he dis
eus%eti their eluim . to this pri*pondera lice eoinparinu; the tahmts,
native and uef(nired, of the P<*op!e of the dilfertmi sei'tions, the serv-
ire's they luu! re .peel i\ {*Iy lauiilenMl (owau’d the esttdilislunent of
our indi*pi*ndenee. amt tlie ivxtent of their n'spiu’tlve intert'sts most
uiTeeted liy thi* uctiuu of (lie Idalenti (jovermueni. He tlid not. ri*
frurd Mr. Adams as pnrtictdnrly well adapted to he the. leader in
siu‘h an issue, hnt he was plactal in a eomlition to make liim the liest
wt‘ hail: h(v WHS hy no mi*ans saueuim* in rt^gard to his ,sueeesH™a
t|Ue.s(ifm he thoui/ht of inferior imporlnnce lo tin* ojaming of the.
[iroposed issue, which he jlrmlv la*!ievr*d when once fairly .started
must -iieedily -.ueetsMl.
In the* cotuse of the c protrmded nuisonings T acted (he part of
listener rather than that of a eonti'stunt. !h‘spect for thi‘ir source
and the eloqueuei^ and (»aruestness willi wdiich they were mad(?i
secured from me a clo.-e and interested attention, but they did not
132
AMERIGAlSr HISTORICAL ASSOGIATIOK.
make the desired impression. My opinion was very decided that
the Southern States had dealt with the subject of slavery, down to
that period, in a wise and liberal spirit,, and that they owed the dis-
proportionate influence which they had possessed in the Federal
Government to other causes than to the concentration of feeling and
effort produced by that interest. I was therefore unwilling to give
so controlling an influence in the Presidential election to the con-
siderations advanced by Mr. King, and I communicated this conclu-
sion to him with delicacy and unfeigned respect for his character,
and we proceeded on our journey without change in our feelings,
much less in our social relations.
As I acted at the time on the opinion I have mentioned, and as
there has subsequently been, in my judgment, a wide departure from
the policy which then commanded my approval, which has also in
its turn governed my action, I Avill here give my views of the matter
as it then stood, leaving the consideration of the change and its
consequences to its proper period and j)lace.
At the time when the opiirossion of the Mother-Country com-
pelled our ancestors to resort to arms for the defence of their liber-
ties, the condition of the old Thirteen States was not materially dif-
ferent, in respect to the institution of Slavery, from that *which ex-
isted at the period of which Ave are speaking. In those where it still
exists, it had been so deeply planted as to forbid the hope of seeing
it eradicated except thro’ Providential means not then discoverablG
by human intelligence; Avhilst in those Avhich are now free from it, it
had obtained but a slight hold upon the interests, or upon the habits
and feeling's of the inhabitants — ^none that would not be sure tc
yield to wise and prudent legislation. But no obstacle was found
to arise from the diff'ei-ence in their condition in respect to the ex-
istence of slavery, to their cordial and devoted union in the struggh
which, by the blessing of God, resulted in the establishment of oui
national independence.
No sooner had that great end and aim of all their secrifices anc
sufferings: been accomplished than the leading men — those whe
swayed the councils of the States in which slavery existed and stil
continues to exist, on all sides a race of great and good men — pro
ceeded to the consideration of this difference in regard to slavein
in the condition of the states, and the possible consequences which i
might in time produce. They took up the subject with earnestnCvS;
and sincerity and Avitli a determination to deal with it justly anc
thoroughly. They foresaAv that the clay was not distant when slav
ery Avonld have ceased to exist in a majority of the states; that it
abolition would in all probability produce a more rapid increase ii
the. population of the non-slaveholding States ; that this would con
AITTDBKXWIAIMI V OK MARTI X VAN BrUKN.
i-inuB ill a constantly an^'iiunit in^• ratio: that (jiu^stions would jn*is<‘
as to the relative* value ot‘ fre'i* and slaN(‘ laht»r and as to tin*
of eneoni'a^’i'inent to which i*ae‘h was cnlithah and tlu’v aiJpre'luMultMl
that- these* niii^ht haul te) in ve‘ci i ve*s a<i’ai u.^t the* institution of slavt'Cy,
which the* e‘han<i.*e‘el e’ondition of State's weadd iiaturallv increase*, and
that, in this way the* siihje^ct itst'li’ would ce)iiH‘ to he* re*n,'a rde'el a-^ one*,
of jx^litieal jxiwen*, c!i*atino- set'tional [lartie's and in the* e'ud ovc'r-
throwing’ the* e’lorious fabric whie-h had hce'u raise*d by the* joint
labors of alb if the'se^ sael re'sults we're not prcventeel by timely ami
coniprelu'nsive ine*asiire‘S,
'riu'y elid m>t appi‘e‘he*ml a disp«)sitioii on IIk*^ part- of their North"*
e*rn anel hhiste*ru bre‘thre*n to disturb tlu* elome'stic pe'ae'e* <d’ the Stated
in which shive'ry hael Iona,* and li\e*dly (*xiste*eb by interf(*re*nce" with
tlu* subji'e’t- within I ht*ir ‘be>reh‘rs. This uejulel ha\"e* ])e‘e*n a d(‘s(*crat ion
ed’ (he* ft'ate'rnal spirit- ejf (hi* Hc'veilutiou so ^ross that their pure
bri'asts e’oidd not harbeir a. stis|>it‘ion of it. 'Thew m'ver doubital that,
ample* t ‘<mst it ut ional prt)t(*t*t ion for the* possession amt ust*- of this
portitm (d* lhe*ir propeaMy wonhl la* si*('ure*d to theiiu and that: was all
(hut tlit'V rcejuiri’tl.
'riu* ;»pn*ad of slave*ry and (he* im*reas<‘ of slave States was the
ami tlu* only soure’e* from whie’h IrouhU* was appiH*lu*mhaI.
'Hu** advama* of lilu'rty the* si^n uneti'r which (hey had foii^e'ht and
hy which l!u*y (’ontjucn*<l and (he* <iifrowth and mainl<*ua.nc(‘ of free
ills! it nt ions wt*n* the* ohje'cts «d’ tlial lie*\'olut ion from wliicli they Imel
just cuH'rye'eb 'I'ln* t'xistem’e* ami contimiaime* of slavery iii so many
of the* Stale's was a sael <{ualilica( iem <d’ l-lu'se* noble* aims aiul <j^lorions
rt'sulis Imt it was impossible*, positivedy and aholtr(e*ly impossihit*. to
avoitl it, ami its e'xiste'iu’e* \va ; without, fault on (he* part of those* who
had inhcritcel it from am’estors many of whom were as little* respon-
: ihle* for its {’rent i<nu
Shall the e'Xce'pt Iona! fe»a(ure* in tlu* free* system almut. to In*! or<jjan-
i'/e*il be* (‘idnr^e'el^ Shall the* inlhu'iua* and action of tlu* Kedeeral
< ie>ve‘rnnu'nt 1 h* e*mployt*el feu* tlic miilt-iplieatioa of slave States, or
to tli •coura/^e* (lu'il* iue're'ase*'^
Tlu" e* we'n* tlu* (jiu'stions that pres(*nle’d tlu‘ms(*lve‘s to all palri
otie* and thiukin^»; minds ix'fore* and at (he pmaod of due aeloption
«d’ the ( ‘oust it ut ion : ami it i:. au his(e)r)cal Irutlu woi’Miy of all
lumor, that the* ^na'al pn‘pe)nde*ran(’e* ed’ (jpinion on the* part- of all
(lull was iiu{M»>in^’ in chai'ui’tcr and V(*m*rable* in authority in what
are* still (he* Shi\c State’s wa:. in favor of a (‘ourse* mc»st in harmony
with tlu* prilu'ipl^‘^. of the l\i‘voluti(»n that ed’ eliscountenatuun^ the
iiu're’ase* of Slave* Stale's. Such mt'u as <ieor/j;(e Washington,
'riuauas *IctlVr‘-.em, Patrick Ib'nrv, (h'orge* Mason, cfaines Madison
** MS. I, a. IHiu
134
AMEPJCAl^ HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION.
and other patriotic citizens did not hesitate to express their repug-
nance to slavery, their regrets at its existence, their desire to see
it lessened and abolished, if possible, by proper means, and not
only their unwillingness to contribute to its extension, but their
readiness to co-operate in proper measures to limit its farther
spread by the increase of free states.
They were wdse and experienced men and knew that such a sub-
ject could not be trusted to prof essions or acts which would be open
to different constructions, and could only be safely dealt with by
such measures as must cai'ry conviction to the most prejudiced minds
because they went directly to the accomplishment of their object.
From such considerations and from such sources issued the Act
of July 1Y87 for the government of the North Western Territory.
By this Memorable Act its author and supporters intended not only
to provide effectually for the peace and safety of their beloved
country, but to repel, as far as was in their power, the suspicion of
their fidelity to the cause of freedom which their^memies had at-
tempted to fix upon them. Whether we regard the source from
which it originated, the support it received on its passage, or its
efficiency in promoting the great object of its enactment, this Law
deserves a place in our National Archives side by side with the
Declaration of Independence and the Federal Constitution. At-
tempts have been made to deprive Mr. Jefferson of the credit of
this great measure, as there have been cavillers against every truth
of history however firmh^ established. Nothing can be more certain
than that it wms to his master mind that the country is indebted
for its conception, and to his perseverance in its support seconded
by the Xegislature of Virginia and the old Congress for its com-
pletion.
By its provisions the North Western Territory which was, in the
hands of Virginia, slave territory, was set apart for the creation of
six new states — the precise number of the slave states then, to all ap-
pearance, destined to remain such — and it was made an irrevocable
condition of the cession that slavery should never be tolerated within
their boundaries. The Executive and Legislative Departments of the
State of Virginia, and the prominent men of the State, of all parties,
lent their aid to promote the measure and it passed the old Congress
by the unanimous vote of the Representatives 'from the slave-holding
states. Its adaptation to exigencies of the occasion to the promo-
tion of the policy of which I have spoken are too obvious to require a
single remark. It embraced all the vacant territory of the United
States which was at all likely to be converted into Slave States and
promised to balance the influence of the irredeemable slave holding
states in the Federal Councils — Cleaving the progress of Emancipation
in till' :Mbl Nni'ihri'ii Sfatos it> wt)rk out, n ])r('i)(>ii(lt‘raa(‘i’! of
{‘riH* lativ. {(» a liiuilial by tlui lunv stall's that
In- in:nli* utit of \aiam( tnrriturii's still holonjLTiujiJ!; to tUi' Stati'.s of
North I'arnijoa ami I Imriria hy ilivisions of (hose, si all's.
TIm* Aft wa jia'.>tal hut a r hurt (iiuo pri'vioiis In thr uu'i'liu^’ of ilu*.
('on\ fill inn ‘ uhifh fraiufil (hi* h\‘«h*rul ( 'ouslitiition ami its palriotir
proimUrr uo( ilisa ppoiahnl in lla* I’liaracti'r ami cxli'nt of (ho
inllufufi' whifh a uit‘n*.iiri‘ so wisa ami Hharal was ilfsliiu'il to I'Koii
upon t hf o! nuanhors i>f 1 hf ( 'on ffilfi'ai'V. Tlioy foiuitl lln'in ri'aily
(ti .‘ ffiuf thf <at irons of tho Snutlioni Slalfs in Iho full fnjoynu*n(. of
tlu' ri,L*ht • tiif\ flaiiHfil a^ slavo liohlors by u(U'(|nali‘ fousl itut iomil
^niaranlff ami tin* Soulhfrn nifuibm’s of tlu* ('oinonlion rffiproralfil
that lii [»n at it»n by thfir -irnilifant. ron a'nt that llu' word shwory
r lanilil not bo n rd in tlir ( 'iUir.i it ut ion, and wil-h (lio oxri'plion of tlm
im*nib<T* frmn SmiiiIi I’arolina and lh‘oi*^ia llu*y insislod that llir
Sla\f tiadf Inndd lu* bnliiwitli abolislit'd. M'lu' prolon/^ul inn of tlu'
jjfrioil for it ' : uppia* ion was, it is wall known, tlu' ronsidi'rat ion
in pur nanrf of an arraumuiifnl Im'Iwoiui (Ik* nifinbars last inom
tioufd and .tarn* of niir Isa tfrn brntliran, for 1 la* rl<j:ht in ( 'on<i*n*: ss
tf) pa * Na \ inat ion Arpi.
'I'la*' i\ nru .Ntatf preoidiat for by Ihi* oi’dinanff of I TSV has'o
all bffu admit Ifil into (hr rnion as frot* Staii's, amordin^*; lo ils
pro\ i inns, and lia\f now a rfpn* fnlallon in (la* W S. Staialr fxaftly
fijual to that of till* six S|a\f Slativ; of tin* oht < *on fi'di* rac’v and a
ri'prc f nl a! ion in tlu* Ilousi* <d Ufprfsinitalivf^; <d niainbfrs to
inombfr , llu* pru onl rfpra* {*ntalion of Ihi* lador. As lain as
1111“^ vaar isnlt, tlu* tarritory of Imliana, undor u luoini'iitary dolusinn
in ropird to lirr hr ' 1 inti*ri*si -, npplifd to ('on/'.rfss for tfinporary
rrliff from tin* prohibition of tlm Oi’dinanc'o a/x^hmst. slavery. 'Ida*
pftilion was rfforml to a (‘ommittof of wliirh .bjhn Uamlolpln dis
iinpiislii'd for bis ihoution lo SouUn'rn ri/^bls, inlfrosis and faflin^s,
was (’bairman, ri'poilftt a^uiird promptly and (Irtidy and tin* report
ai'ijuifsfi'd in with pfidVrt unnnituity by liis Soiitliern ussoi’iales.
Aild Ui all this (In* nffbirulory Art of ('on/^mss by wliirb lln* .Slave
trado was deelared IMruey, In the iinssn/^i* of wldidi Southern men
took tin* most, prominent part, and we have a • eri»‘ ^ of Acts all
showini*: (he ahseina* of anylliin|»: like* a desire (o advanee thc*ir
]u)litie;d power by the spread of Slavery or the inereaM* <d‘ Slave
Slates.
What subsetjuent sIi-jj ha\e been taken h(‘arin/jc upon (he relative
powers of the :hive and fri'e stab's, hi'fore the a/^lilntion of the
Missottri (,)ne'4iom and how far do I hey alVord I'videm'e of a dithment
di'si^n !
» Vail mni-n ronfu **.! On- u.K.iKina uf tin* rnaHlItufKia hy tin* (*onvfi>f inn. r
t7H7, with On* claO* «»f' t'<>nv«*nln|.; whinh wun May 14.
Teniu'ssi'o. luul been fill, oil' I'nnii Xoitli ( 'ar.-Ima ^ ^
:ukI adiiiiWfd into (lu‘ rnion as had i-ani tlif 'm "Hh \ .o :,ud
Maine taken Troni the stales of New York and M.i s i.-ti:; •■!' i .. ..r
#>ia had eeded iier vaeant lands lo ihe Federal thaer-e , .
stipulation to be relieved from Ihe oeeiipation <-l ..iiou
tribes, out of wliieli lands the stales ot .Yhd>aiii:i and M‘ :
been eari'wl. d'lu^ Floi'ida.s ami Louisiana had In'eii pnii.i.t
the .stale of Louisiana had been admitted into the I uion.
W'ere all proeis'din^'s. eXi'epf. the pnivhase, aiitieipated I'v fne a t .
of the (Jovernment, and neither they nor the pnreh.i >• 1 1 1 n.eu
tinned nlforded indieatinns of a desi^m bi inerea-e. or e\ bi u.dv
I*'!' I
I ■ .1
, .ni-i
I li«‘
up;fi;‘nuulizc tlu*. sinvt* iul(*n*s( or nor wtn't' thrv at IhOiMii
whou tlioy oi'<'urri‘ti, (n luy kiuiwItMlp*, iihjiM’Irtl (n mh f'. ii
It riuiy have Ixhmi o(lu‘r\vis(* in ri*s|H*rl to l,H»ni ian t, «*n th** |‘ai! t.i
sonu'. of oiir kaisli*rn proplt*, Imi- tilijrii i»tn v.*a<‘ h‘«i
noslly insist ih( on. piuu'haM*’: v.t*n‘ not in mutiaupl it :»*’i ■' a. *,
tlic Ordinanro of ITST was 'Flit* fnlmimt *»l !..* \ uF . *>1
tlio. Mississippi iiunlo iln* arquisif ic »n oi tlu* M*Mnh «•! tsa \l = »•:
a stat.r lunasssily whirh ctMiltl imt l»r di rs-a.ndrd us..!,, F. , ;
dola^HHl wiilioili- hazanFinij: (hr pi*a»n* t»f llu* iouatn t n ’
l)ilii.y of llu‘ (hiion. 'Flu* adini.s ion id' honi iaua a-. .? kt*- ♦ ." •
nc(.’t‘ssa rily rt'suKi'd rroin llu* :(ipid:i(ii»u in favnr »»( i'm' Fs
tanis whirli ( lio i rraly linn vt>idalil\ »^»ut;!inntt. I llindt F*-F» . f.si?
if ]Mr, tlrllVrsoii lunl (houalit it prarf inahir arqnu*' tn.- nas
and (o obtain its *adinissHin a*; a Stati* ultlitnit ’anii \t:palds*?. , F**
would liavo niadr thr iiltrnipt. Hi ulmli* stun .«* up*, a mb'.-, t
of sla.vory w^arraiils thi?^ opiniotn If ilu* r\i tuiu’i* ««f F.i«s -
stain, was an insupurabln (»bjnr{iua with tiu* Ntnflaan id* ts*?.
had only to withliohl (huir 11^*0*01 from tlu* a.ad ib- mF*
pr<K‘(‘('(Fin^ would bavi* fallun tt» (tw ^n'oimd. !bu i!.r' p u
nrci'ssity for tlu* pnrriin.si* bani .lual that ron id.riatu«n Ib.»a 5 fbi- i
inimls, if ij rxisttul ibi*rr tti any roiwldfrablr v. bn b nn th»'
tluM) sl,ait» of ])iil)lir IVtdiiia’ upon ila*Mibifr{ i- nuf pi^.bibF-,
Thu Ic'rritory was too laron for a ln|rlr fat**, ^nd a pi.’b*n; d
coiuparatividy tldnly st*(lli*d, but by a rttuponlal popHlafs^ii, * .-r
olT as a separata ^Farritory by tin* nania of Mi .ain. Ki^ht ; «*af =
aftarwards iba luitar ai>priad to In* iidmitltMi a. a r.*h\ ! amor
tba nianii lima aa(inirad n sulliaiimt nnmU^r of mhabif if i If
<rrowii up as a slave, iarrittuy nndar flu* tmrituiaa! F’-a , and lu r
paoph* lu'ino- tham for tba mod purl, sluvuholdar * Mi nma ^ ! i n^ d
to b(* adinbtad as a Slava State ami butt fnuurd liar {F^n .fjtufu.n a**
(•or<lino*Iy. On that irrotmd that F. baratt .a Wn a»»u f:ttUa»u
iiizad and san<*liona<l (lia (*xi^tani*a of .’-bnarv uiflun h*-! In.id.-i
bar admission into tin* I’nion as a data wii. tqipti rd Furr
Ai^T(mi()(;nAPii V of martift va:n' burfk. 137
lions ol lh(‘ Nortluo’u ])c‘ 0 ])le. Tliis o|)positi<)n they had the right to
nuiki', Thinking that it would be for the interest of the new State
that sh(^ sliould be fr(‘e, and thinking also that from the smallness
ol biu’ i)oj)iilati()n, and the limited number of slaves within the terri-
tory — (oam now not larg'e — the State would find not more diflienlty
ill reli(‘\'ing itself from the existence of slavery than many of the
Northei’ii states had experienced, they had a right to press those
eonsidm-titions upon” the applicant by all fair and proper means.
I f th(‘ unbiased opinion of Missouri could now be obtained I should
not In', sur]U'is('d to find it one of rogi‘et that she had not yielded to
(hat oi)posiHon and made herself a non-slave holding state.
I'he opposition that was made to the admission of Missouri takes
its (*hai‘act(‘r IVoni the motives by which it was actuated and the
nuuiner in which it was conducted- That opposition was unexcep-
tioiiabk* wlu're it arose from an honest conviction that the pre-
vious abolition of slavery within lier territory would be advau-
(agt'ons to her, and that th('. admission of more slave states into the
Union would be adverse', to its welfare, and where no improper meams
were (‘ni|)loye(l to e^any out these views; but where it was, on the
c*ontrary, the fi'uit of an outside ]")olicy — ^Avherc the principal design
was to produce' politi(*a1 and partisan cifect by seizing on the ques-
tion as an o])j)ortuuity to bring the politics of the slave states and
the standing of tlieir snpportei’s in the free states into disre]>ute
tlu'ough inl]aiumatoiy assaults upon the institution of shivery, which
wo. a]’(' under eonstit.utiomd o1)ligaiions to res])ect in the, states where
it exists, “the opposition was culpably factious. Disguise the mat-
tei‘ as we may such, agitation must, in the light of reason and jus-
ti<'(*,, b(^ r('gai'd('(l as ali1v(', oO'ensive to the spirit and derogatory to
the UH'iuorii's of the IvC'volution. Tf our ]')articipation in the pro-
tection which the Ked(*ra1 (k>ustitution extends to the institution
of slavc'iy liad become intoh'rable to us, and we had satisfied our-
selves that th(‘, interc'sts of humanity would gain more by our re-
lease from that obligation than they would lose by a dissolution of
the XTnion, there Avas one way in Avhich avc could obtain an honorable
discharg('. and that was by tendering to our brethren of llu' slave,
holding states a peaceable and voluntary dissolution of that Union
whicli our Ancestoi’s had formed with them under a different state
of fc'cling. To hold on to its advantages and at the same time to
lessen if not destroy through the agency of such agitations, that se-
curity to their slave property which was one of the principal bene-
fits iu‘omis('.(l to them by its adoption, Avas the reverse of such a
course.
MS. I, a 100,
-LOO AMERICAN" HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION.
From all that I saw of it I could not divest my mind that s-^'***^
was the intention of the movement against the admission of ^ ^
souri on the part of its leaders. I thought so then — I thin-l^
still. I feel less embarrassed in speaking of it thus freely
I have always admitted my share of the responsibility so
the New York Resolutions went — ^but no farther. Although I < I ^ ^
not actually vote for them I allowed myself to be prevented by I ^
litical and partisan considerations, which have been heretofox'<3 *
luded to, from meeting them by open opposition.
While it affords me no satisfaction to say this I would the
regret the necessity of this sacrifice to the truth of history
did not also know that at a later period and at a critical period ^ t < *
for the South the Northern States stepped forward and scroc''’*^**^
her from the assaults of the abolitionists in a manner and to *
extent that called forth the strongest expressions of approb^x-tdoi
and thankfulness from the Slave States, with acknowledgment tlisi
more could not have been done or desired. What return has
made for this conduct on our part will be seen in the sequel. .^V 1 1
wish is that the simple truth of these matters should be told.
In confirmation of the statement of my own feelings at the
of the Missouri agitation, I now for the first time publish two
written at that period; one addressed to William A. Duer, recoil t lj'
President of Columbia College, — (The letter to Mr. Duer Inis l) 0 €‘i
mislaid.) a zealous and active friend of Mr. King and of hiB up
pointment as Senator — and the other to Major M. M. Noah, at llo
time Editor of the National Advocate in the city of New York. ' 1
occasion of the latter epistle and certain circumstances in its hit^t
have been heretofore related.^
Letter to M. M. Noah, Esqr.
“Hudson Dec, 17,
Sir
Xour letter lias reached me here in the midst of a Circuit and I hnvc^ liti
time to say a word to you on the interesting points you speak of.
Thompson by no means to have such a meeting — it would as you say
example for Mr. Clinton for which he would give the world. The dire ,
to which he will be subjected of resorting to such nominations galls him t:<> t li
quick. Such a measure would therefore be intolerable in ns, and I am
ished that any discreet man should dream of it. Make yourself perfectly/
on the subject of the nomination. If such designs as you speak of exist; tin*,
are perfectly harmless. There is the most unprecedented unanimity on tlii’^ x\i\
ject among Republicans. Tompkins will be the man unless he himself decM !
Let the few individuals who entertain different views talk on, but don’t i m t In
them in your paper. They will soon be lost in the general mass. I
sorely regret to find any flagging the subject of IMr. King in New York.
^ Page 101 of the Autobiography,
AT V OV martin van RTTRKN.
139
{in‘ (’tnniuUto<l to his siRiporl. U is both wiso muT hoiiortt, niid wo must luivo no
IlnttiMMiii:: In our ootirst'. 'Plio Itopuhlicniis ot tlio Slntu oxjkhT it Jiud jiro rendy
hu* H. I know (hat su(‘h Is tin* oas(\ Tliore was not in the Sonjit:(‘ a dissontiiiK
Hint I could ruui. iMr. Kiiif^’s views towards us an' honoraldo and cor-
rect. ddit* Missouri Qu(‘Stion coiii'cals .vo far as ho. is coaaeraed no jilol, and we
shall ^?ivo U a true ilirtMd.lon. You know wliat*. the I’celiuj^s and views ol! our
rrhMids wori' wIumi 1 Ud't Now York, au<l you know what we then conolndod to
do. My (Unisiilrraiians ^ vK:c and llu' nspoot of tlu‘ Ari^us will show you that we
hare t‘idore<l (Ui the work In oariU‘Sl:. We cannot tlierotore look back. Our
tiilr, ctjusisti'id and manly coursi* has raisi'd our party in th(‘ estimation oJ’ all,
and its I'ontrasl with that of our opiamonts has cast nuicli contempt on theirs.
I/i'l us not theroron* hnvi» any Imltlni;, hut come out 1 beseech you manfully on
the suhJtH't and i will pul my head o!i its propriety.”
At (Ih^ lime of my conversation witli Mr. Kin^, the. Missouri
Question hiul been sett leil -most of t.lu‘, ('aiurnlates were slave-hold-
ers, ami tlu‘i-t‘ was s<’ar(U‘.ly a ripple on tlie. political waters produced
by siavc*ry agitation.
It was uul surprising’ (hat. Mr, Kin^ and myself should ditfer upon
this point as viewed it from o|)posite ])ositions. Althonn’h not: in
the t'ountry diii’in^ the administration of the elder Adams and per-
haps not a[»provinn; of all its measures, he nevertheless sympathized
with Us comhudors and liad l-hi’<)Uo*h life been the p(>liti(*.al fimmd
and ass(M‘ial(‘ of its principal .su])p<)rtcrs. M(‘ bad regarded its over-
Ihrow and ilu' cliadion of Mr. JtdVtu’son as national misfojd.iUK's. lie,
had luam in ()|)p()sil ion— respectful iiidtaMl but not the less de(ud(Ml—
to the administrations of fhdlcrson and Madison during tlie .sixtium
ytairs of {lu‘ir coniinuamaN with jlu' (*xct‘pliou of tiu'. support he gave,
to thi' War after the sacking of Washington. With his political feel-
ings moderated by tinu‘ and (*ir(mmstanees, hi*, was still, as I found
u])ou a ueuriu' approaidp on all essentia.l points, tin*, same old fash-
ioned federalist, that he had been from the start. Under a, bias so
potent lie was wholly unwilling to allow, indeed inea|>ahle of believ-
ing that tin* lodgment wliicb rlelfersoids politic, al prin<‘ipl(*s had ai‘-
ijuircil and was likely to maintain in the minds of the People, in
))rc*rereu(‘e i-o tho.se of his own sidiool, was well deserved on public,
grounds, and he was ready to attribute it to ttie rinanimity of the
slave states caused by the slave interest or by the ‘Milaek si. rn, p as
he called it. Ills feelings against the institution as a philanthropist
were thus siimnlati'd by tin* prejudices of thi*. politician, and he was
hy their I’ombined iuduimci*. induci'd to inubark with so much earnest-
ness in the Missouri agitation.
''My fe(‘iings wm'i* of a very ditrerent charaetcr. My earliivst
political re(‘olI(*ctions wiu’is those of tlu* day when I exulted at tlie
1 C’otirtidoniUouH In fiivm* of tin* aijpolnliufiil {>r llufUH TClnp:—iL pamphlet of ^2 pp.
IKIP). A copy 1 h III iho 'I'onoi* (’'oi loci Ion, library of OongroHH. S<a‘ the long
oxlrnoln publlHln^fl In lIollanirH Tdft* of Van Baron ( Uartfonl, 18IK1), jj. 120.
“ Ml-v I, p. ion.
140
AMEETCAIT HTSTORTCIAI. AftSCX^TATTOl^.
election of Mr, Jefferson, as the trininph of a good cause over ar
Administration and Party, who were as I thought subverting the
principles upon which the Eevolutioii was founded and fastening
upon the Country a system Avhich tho’ different in. form was neverthe-
less animated by a policy in the acquisition and use of political powei
akin to that which our ancestors had overthroAvn. I had ever since
regarded the continued success of Mr. Jefi arson’s i^olicy as the resuli
of the superiority of the principles he inti'odiiced into the adminis
tration of the Government over those of his predecessor, and was sin-
cerely desirous that they should continue to prevail in the Fcdera
Councils. I had not, as I have before stated, sympathized in the Mis-
souri Agitation because I could not conc‘en .1 from myself the fact, tc
wliich all we saw and hear<i bore tevStimon.y, that its moving springs
were rather political than philanthropical, and because I tlioughi
nothing had arisen that would justify us in making the subject o:
slaveiy a matter of political controversy.
These conflicting views, coloring all oui' ctonversations, soon con
vinced us of the parts we wex*c to talce in the Presidential election
I announced by intention to sup])ort Mr. Ci^awford soon after m3
arrival at Washington, and Mi*. King Avas, from the beginning, tin
known friend of Mr. Adams. But this dilference did not then pro
duce the vslightest effect upon onr social or friendly relations, W<
messed together during the session, a.nd notwithstanding the dis
parity in our years, which was still greater bet-ween some others o:
our associates and himself, our social intercourse was not only unem
barrassed, but so genial and entertaining as to have kept a pleasan
and lasting place in my memory.
A circumstance occurred in tho succeeding recess affecting me per
sonally that served to draw forth his friendly regard. Chief Jus
tice Thompson, having been transferred to the Navy Department,
disposed to testify his sense of the intimate relations that so lon^
existed between us, inquired of me by letter whether T Avould accep
the office of Judge on the bench of the Supreme Court of the TJnitec
States, to supply the vacancy caused by the death of Brockholst Inv
ingston. My impression, upon receiving tlie letter, was dccidedb
against the acceptance of the oflw, but on mentioning the subject t<
Mr. King he took very earnest ground in favor of my accepting it
and begged me not to decline, as it Avas my intention to do imme
diately, until we could g'iYQ> the subject a f idler consideration. A
subsequent interviews be prevailed upon me to consent to the ap
pointment. Having felt myself called upon to oppose an Act 0
Mr. Monroe’s administration in regard to an appointment in whic'
a large portion of my constituents Avas interested, I informed th
1 Smith Thompson Imnsfcrrod in April, 1823.
SiM’rt‘t:ir\ that It tin* Ih’csiilt'iU was disptisial to ronlVr ilioi ollico. upon
Uiv I \v(uh(l arrupl it, hut 1 was (ItKiioiis t hat it sh()uhi iHMiinU'rstood
a- ha\ iui’‘ htHMi ihuu* f\i'hisivi‘l y on piihlir o'roiinds, as I bad no dosii'o
for tiu' ])nNi(inn and tajub! not t‘i>nst*ut to ho ro^ardod as an appli-
cant [nc it. Mr. Kiniii; wr<j((’ ot his own tirrord to Mr. Adams, wdio
took a rriioully ])art in ilia niaittu’.
Imoui mmuc rotuvi* ‘ whit’ll I navcr ptudVatly understood ohstaxdes
um-i* thrown in th<* way of tlu* Jippoint immt and eonsiderahic' delay
) lit ciw i'luah An c\pn*s>}on in ont' oi I la* S(*(’r(dai*v''s letters indu(*ed
mt‘ to ropeat my retjUfa iJiat in whatevtm hr saitl or did in the mat-
(fi\ I relied u|Mjn his Irienttslup tt> prtweiit nu* from ai>pearinj:>; he-
hu’e tin* Iht‘.)(huit a- an applicant For' ilu* olliet*. AFtcu’ a wdiil(‘ I
receiviMt a h‘ticr from him a kin5V me w1u*11um*, jiFler what had hap-
pened helw't‘en ns, 1 tlum^ht la* eould with pi'o])rietv talci* the. olU(*e
hiin.seli. Mr. Kin**; had taken much iul<*r(‘.si in (lie suhjta’t. and was
uuieh di plea.MMl with tla* (’oialuct of Seert'larv Thompsom Me.
thought I ourht to !e:i\c him to his mvu eoiii’si'; hut f(‘elin^ best sa.t-
islled with an nvoiduiua^ (d‘ the appoint n!(‘nt, 1 w rote |o him at oiua*.
ah oh inn; him fr«au any oldiu'alion to mysidf ami ath isine* him to
take fla* place, im* which, hy (la* way, he was a:’* lauimmtly ipialitu'd
a.‘ la* was imlil for [)olilir*al lilV,
\*uw, altho' I wa: \ erv M'lr ihle (hat om* indiietaneni, with Mr,
Kinn\ on (his octaision, was a w illinn’m*s^; to withdraw* uu* from tlu*.
Pre-- id(*nl ial cam a , 1 wais y<*| pt’idVctly ^al(isl^ed that la* simau’idy
llauiirht the appt/int mi*nl a di'sirahh^ one, and tliai it could not be
<din*rw i? e tlian heiudieial to me («» aeei'pt it. I was not. ( hi'ri'.fort* <lis-
p 0 !;e<l to underv aim* the zealous uml fri(MidIy pai’i (hat la*, took in
the mailer, i*tM’au e hi< tici'ess w‘oub| Favor other o])j(‘ets in wbiiili
la* fell an Infere t ami whi**h he wnis (juiie jusiitiaiib* in se(dcin<j^ to
advance by ■ m’h mtsui .
*tMt r<‘f«nUi' tM mv wUlt S<M*rianr.v Thnjtiimot!, to whlrli T (‘Oiild not
huvi* u h* j» th> u.i6 unUrr*. I lUol Oiat. provhnjul.v IIh* (jlH’or cjf UIh irv
llu« Ilk i‘ ih i.tarUiihit! n»» .Utklck- hljf Om’ tjo*. hk- hml ij in hln MirnUjhI rfii'W.’n'O way
i»y narjiort hliir » U f»*r On- , jumI hat) lunoinf iioi ;j lllllo Inipal)t«j|l of lay
’1 hl i <‘hf'iao‘ Jatirr, uhlfh. i‘rmo lln- rlhrlU Jmai’fHHlon Dial If niado on inc, InuJ
al(t»iO'(h« i’ t • t aia-kl Ot.isi ut.v Mt*}tn»r>. otay IhyttU’ raimt* luatl 0 (mn Ihf and <1!K'
|ut.*dtlou kkf Uo- r.kiiriul itaa“*oOfiiia afUa’ ll v.-oh a'it'k-rlnliK’tt tina my ItmUnadoim In
i*»*‘;m'd Iti tin- 1 * 1 '* ■hh-nOnl nnitvOon \Vk'f»' iiol In dial dlrooUtni. ( I'unmd ;my (luU I
hUVk- ul iSd. .tic. d*'tdtl‘*l oahilikti a* Iti th'* aiiirt'.* j'roin wliftit-i* llii* tiliHUndoH
ar»t’^k' x; hhh ci. iiiUftl my aianilnt imnl . Tin' ctinn-Mjinnilk-nff whinli afcoiiijamlf}; llita
Mi tiikklr will hk* fmintl \*t {ii.hiir* . Juii-rt-i.i ir-im On* llj'hl U Ihrnwn upon lln* wayn td’ nn‘n
ami tif ja>v«'rnl »lhJ luynh ln •! Imlh hlmthk In piirnt-ular. 1 have ni.vHfir j’unflnd t»n mad
Ina il now llmf I <’»mM *a'.t'ov"r iraft'-; oi' vh-w.-t ainl ffnlljiKH <*n (im pari td’ oUn'i’B
which fr»tni Un* mcknHphhkn^ »harat*li r tiT my mlial dhl nof ocniir to nn* at tin* linn*.
CHAPTEE XII.
° My notice of the Presidential election of 1824r-5 will be confined
mainly to the State of Xew York. An nhforeseen occuiTence gave
the principal part of her electoral vote to Mr. Adams, and an acci-
dental circumstance, bearing upon that vote, turned the question
finally in his favor in the House of Eepresentatives.
By the law of the State, passed at a very early period, the Electors
of President and Vice President were directed to be appointed by
the Legislature. The election of members of the latter body in 1823
was held with direct reference to the Presidential question and re-
sulted in the choice of a very decided majority supposed to be and
which was, at the time, favorable to the election of William H.
Crawford. The friends of the other Candidates, recognizing their
defeat, demanded a second trial. A transaction something like this
occurred in 1800 — ^the object being to defeat Mr. Jefferson. After
a Legislature had been chosen known to be favorable to him an ap-
plication was made to Gov, Jay (as appears from his Life, by his
son,) by a prominent federalist, to call the old legislature, whose time
had not exjpired, to choose the Presidential electors, which Mr. J ay
very properly refused to entertain.
The movement now made was of a far more plausible character.
It was demanded that the Electors should be chosen by the People, in-
stead of being appointed by the Legislature, as had been the pre-
vious usage and as the existing law directed. The unreasonableness
of this demand under the circumstances was apparent, but its rejec-
tion was nevertheless a matter of great delicacy. It was an awkward
affair for a party which prided itself on being most in favor of em-
ploying the direct agency of the People in the conduct of public
affairs, to refuse such an application when there was yet time enough
to accede to it and to carry it into effect. It seemed, at least, in thus
refusing, to place itself in a false position. Our opponents pressed
this view of the subject with much earnestness and considerable
influence. But I have never doubted that we would have been able
to sustain ourselves before the country if it had not been for a very
unexpected and badly advised step taken by our friends at the mo-
142 !
“ MS. BopK ii, p. 1.
AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF MARTIH VAFT BUREFT. 143
ment when the Legislature adjourned to the Extra-session for the
choice of electors.
Gov. Clinton had listened to the advice of his friends and had
avowed his determination not to he a candidate for re-election — ^liis
chance of success being regarded by them as hopeless. He did not
lack troops of devoted peiBonal adlierents, but his failure to main-
tain his position in the favor of the People, under the auspicious
circumstances w^hich had attended his public service, even when
strengthened by the comx^lete success of the Erie Canal — a measure
to Avhicli his name was so closely and meritoriously -linked — ^induced
them to think that he did not possess the faculty of making himself
generally and permanently acceptable to the People under any state
of affairs. They had therefore employed themselves in looking for
an office or employment for him which would be adequate for his
support, of sufficient dignity and independent of the popular vote.
He had confessedly done more than any other man to secure the suc-
cess of the gi’eat Public Work to which I have referred. The office
of President of the Canal Board which had been confemed on him
at an early day had no salary attached to it nor did he receive any
compensation for his services. Having the best right to be regarded
as the founder of the Work, that post as a mark of distinction only,
without reference to his usefulness in the performance of its duties,
was justly clue to him.
Such being the state of things Mr. Clinton was removed by a vote
of the Legislature, on the last day of the session,^ without notice or
specific complaint.
It has been truly said that this removal “operated like an elec-
tric shock upon the whole community.’’ It secured to Mr. Clinton
a full measure of what he had never before possessed — the sympa-
thies of the People. The friends of Mr. Adams, generally, in the
Legislature and their leaders Wheaton and Tallmadge^ voted for the
removal, but we had the majority — ^the motion came from our side —
and ours was the responsibility.
A public meeting was forthwith held at the Capitol, at which the
measure was severely denounced. Similar meetings followed in
every part of the State, and an excitement in the public mind was
procliTced which disinclined it to receive dispassionately the ex-
planations of our conduct in refusing to pass the electoral law. Our
excuses for declining to fight a battle over again that we had once
fairly won, which, but for this disturbing question would have been
favorably heard by the majority^ would not be listened to by an
irritated community.
1 April 12, 1824.— W. C, F. ^ Henry Wbe^ton ana James Tallmadge.
Mr. Clinton’s re-election to the office of Go\’ernor was the redress
that instantaneously presented itself to the minds of the masses.
The people’s party”— a temporary faction generated by the re-
fusal of our friends to pass the Electoral law and most of whose mem-
bers in the Legislature had voted for his removal — could not pre-
vent his nomination at a State Convention in the call of which they
had united. The current of public feeling, overwhelmingdy in his
favor, carried him in by the larg-est majority ever given in the
state. So‘ violent was the excitement that when I, to whom the
removal had occasioned much regret and who had no Imowledge,
being in Washington, of the intention to make it, made my appear-
ance at the polls the shout of “ Eegency ! Eegency ! ” was raised by
the crowd and my vote was challenged by some dozen persons. The
efforts sincerely made by the Board of Insjiectors and by some of
Mr. Clinton’s most attached friends to get the challenge withdrawn
were ineffectual, and I was obliged to take the prescribed oath. The
first returns from the Western Counties were astounding, but at a
meeting of a few friends, held at my lodgings, Ave canvassed the
State and still claimed success. On the following morning, how-
ever, my excellent friend Judge Eoger Skinner came into my room
and furnished me with returns shewing that we had been, as I have
stated, completely routed.
A feeling of bitter personal hostility towards Gov. Clinton —
foreign to his generous nature, but for which he thought he had
adequate grounds — ^had made Judge Skinner more instrumental in
accomplishing the removal of Mr. Clinton than any other of our
friends. Knowing that if infoimed of the design I would have
done what I could to prevent it, he took especial pains to keep it
from me and laughed at the apprehensions I expressed on being in-
formed of the act. He was standing at the window, tapping the
glass with his fingers, Avhilst I was taking my breakfast with what
° appetite his news had left me. I could not resist saying to him —
“I hope. Judge, you are nov’' satisfied that there is such a thing
in politics as killing a man too deadP^ an observation sufliciently
absurd to the general ear, but full of significance and matter for
l^ainful reflection to him. He left the room immediately without
saying a word. Conscious that I had wounded him deeply I fol-
loAved him to his lodgings, begged his forgiveness with perfect
sincerity and succeeded in obtaining it. But nothing could soothe
the pang inflicted on his heaiff by Mr. Clinton’s success and by
the conviction that he had contributed to it. His health, always
delicate, gaA’e Avay, and he died not long after in my amis. He Avas
among the worthiest and most valued of my friends, and I long
° MS. II, p. 5.
\ • I’
iViiVivi. IIN VAIN nUlllUlN.
aiul ihH'ply iiKHirm'd his loss. lU' whjv tha sim’oikI parson whose death
was ohviousiy hasiiMied by o;rier niul luoriilieiitioii at Mr. Clinton’s
sueeess. 'riu‘ other was t'rosby, Senator iVoin Westchester
C\)nnty, ol wliom I have already spoken in e<)nno<‘ti()n with Mr. Clin-
ton's laniiinution three years before.
To (lios(‘. laniiliar with the action of puhlii*. bodies under the in-
tliaau't' of i)ani(* it (*anu()t ht' necessary to ('ular< 2 ;e upon the injuri-
(jus tdh'ctM prtxluctul by these ehu'tion results, received at th(\ time
tliat ( ht* L(**ji;islat urci was in session for the. sole purpose of appoint-
ing Presidential Klectors. (Jen. Peter H. Porter, a sagacious man,
w(‘ll vtu’sed in political manao-ennmt, and, (ho’ never popular himself,
vt'ry <’ai>able of in(luenciu;L>: others, was at. the luaid of Mr. Cla.y’s
frieinls. 1 1 is ablest, associate and co-worki'r was John Cramer, a
vtderan p<dit ician, who luul been one (d' the. Kltadoi's at. Mr. rlellVrson’s
seeoiul tdeeticju, laid almost (*V(*r sinc(^ bium in pnbra* life, lived on
politieal inlri*.pU ‘3 and having; htam familiar wil.h leij,’ishd'T‘(‘ corru[)-
tioiis was (’oasiapamtly well aiajuainbal with llu\ worst poi'lion of the
uunuhers ami tlu' way.s by which tlu'v nii<j:;ht la', o-per’att'd upon. Kol-
IowiujL»‘ (In* (‘xnmple of tlu‘ir Principal (lieir lirst. stej> was to [>r»‘\(‘nt
a in which, if its di‘t‘isiou was adhered to, wt*. would have
b(»eu entirely sale. In (hissl(‘p (hey would not hava*. smH‘<‘cd('d hut
lor tlu* fact* that the elcf'lion had (l(*[)i’i ved us (d‘ (In* pi’c.stiey. which
tlu^ lonn; possession of power luut f^ivi'n U!‘.. d'hey eoah'-seial with thci
frii'uds of Mr. Adntus, and this union (‘ualdi'd tiu'iu to hohl out rea-
sonahti* exp{H’tat ions of a shari* in llu*. favoi's of the ni‘W ( Jov('.rnmcmt
to nuanloers fri(*ndly lo Mr. Crawfor<l. 'The: two st'cl/ams made a,
ri'^ular bargain bn* the division of tlu'' Kde<*toral ticket and sue<a‘i‘d(‘d,
but. so <‘losi*s was the vote that ordy t.hirty-t.wo elt‘ctm’s out of (hirbv*
six w(U‘e ehoseii on tln^ fii*stsl>nlIo{. On the s(x*ond ballot four ()( our
ticket, were elected, by whit'h residt. Mr. ('lay was <'Xeluded from (In^
House', of Ih'prt'senlativc's and Mr. ('rawforiPs naim', was reliirinal
(o it us one of the ihret'. highest.
W(*. hud bmmed our Heket upon n principle that hroujL!:ht on it
several of Mr. (day’s supporlt'rs, etpial in number to llu'. shari'. tlu*y
were to have under (heir urrang('nient with tlu' frieinls of Mr. Adams,
and four of tlu'se were lost. AlHn)UjL!:h I did not suspc<‘t it at tln^
tinu*, I had reason subseatueutly to believe that thesi'. were intention-
ally lost from a desire on tlic part of tln^ Adams men to c.xclude Mr.
(day from tin* House.
Our <5ov(*rnor in ollice, rhid;LCe Whites, and our new candidate for
(hat. station at. tin* election, Col. ^'()uu^, - two very Inmest men hnt
nnpract icah](', politic'ian :. tful t'ach tlmir part in breakinp^ down the
' HariiiH CriiHliy.
lUT.l.S.')" voi,” U() 30
146
AMERICAiSr HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION.
party by which the one had been and the other hoped to be elected.
I have already alluded to the unfounded prejudices in regard to
myself which had unhappily been created in the breast of the former.
These were not removed in the Recess, and I left home for Washington
in December, 1823, in the full belief that we were destined to en-
counter his opposition upon the Presidential question in the shape
of the recommendation, in his second Message (January 1821) to
alter the mode of appointing electors,’- and I remained under that
impression until I heard that document read under the following
circumstances.
My colleague, Mr. King, resting confidently upon the almost uni-
vemal impression that such must be its character, manifested more
curiosity for its arrival than I either shelved or felt. It was brought
to us at the close of our mess dinner at which were present our
mutual friends Gen. Stephen Van Rensselaer, Messrs. Andrew Steven-
son, Louis McLane & othera. Mr. King immediately proposed that
it should be read aloud, and Mr. Stevenson ■ums, I think, designated
as the reader. Mr. King folded his handkerchief on the table before
him and resting his arms upon it, as was his habit, his complacent
countenance indicated the confidence and satisfaction with -which he
prepared himself to hear the welcome tiding-s. The ordinary topics
of the Message were run over hurriedlj^ until the reader came to the
interesting subject of the choice of electors, when, to the amazement
of all, we were favored with a string of generalities studiedly am-
biguous, but susceptible of only one interpretation which was that in
his Excellency’s opinion it would be better to leave the law as it
^ Tlio paragrapb in the Governor’s message read as follows :
“The choice of electors of president and vice-president, has excited much animadver-
sion tliroiighout the nation ; and it is to be regretted, that a uniform rule on this sub-
ject is not prescribed by the constituliou of the TJnitod States. It is manifest, that
the manner of electing may have an essential effect on the power and Injluenee of a
state, with re.gard to the presidential questit)n, by either dividing the votes, or enabling
the state with greater certainty ‘'to give an united vote; and until a uniform rule is in-
grafted in the constitution of the linited States, the manner of electing will continue to
fluctuate, and no alteration made by any one state will produce a material change in
the various modes now exist ing throughout the union. In some states the people will
vote by a general ticket; in some by di.strict.s, and in others by the legislature; and no
practical remedy probably does exist, competfmt to remove the evil effectually, except by
an. amendment to the national constitution.
“Although this state has heretofore sanctioned an attempt to accomplish that im-
portant object, which proved unsuccessful, the measure on that account should not be
abandoned; and as the subject has recently been brought before congress, it is to be
expected that anolhor opportunity will shortly be. presenied for the legislature of this
state to sanction an ammidment. not only establishing a uniform rule in the choice of
electors, but also securing I hi' desirable object of directing .such choice to bi* made by
the people. A more propitious jicriod of evincing its propriety and consefiuently afford-
iug a more favorable prospi'et of obtaining a constitutional number of the states to
as.sent to it. I am inclined to think has not presented Itself since the organization of
the government. Persuaded that you as the representatives of a free people, will only
be influenced by reason and true patriotism, it is submitted to your wisdom and dis-
cretion, whether, under existing circumstances, the present manner of choosing electors
ought, at this time, to bo changed.” — W, C, F,
AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF MARTIH VAH BUREH.
147
stood. A lowering frown chased the smiles from Mr. King’s face,
and being observed by all produced an unpleasant pause, interrupted
by himself when, turning to me, he said “ I think, Mr. Van Buren,
that Mr. Crawford’s friends ought to send the Governor a drawing
of the Vice President’s Chair.” I asked for his reason. Because”
said he, “ I presume they have promised its possession to him.” I
replied with some feeling, but respectfully, that I could not of course
say what had been promised him by the friends of the other candi-
dates, but that I was quite sure that Mr. Crawford’s friends had
held out to him no allurements. “ I hope so ! ” on his part, and “ I
knoio so ! ” on mine followed in rapid succession, when he picked up
his handkerchief and walked out of the room. Mr. King was en-
titled to credit for his government of a> naturally warm temper. We
saw no more of him that evening nor did he come to the breakfast
table in the morning, but at night following he pressed me to ac-
company him to a party given by the French Minister, which I did.
On our Avay he said what was proper in regard to the unpleasant
occurrence of the day before, and at the party he shamed my un-
prompt gallantry by dropping on his knee, in my presence, to retie
her loosened shoe-string for a very interesting young lady — ^the grand
daughter of Mr. Jefferson and iny warm friend — a duty that his
greater age should have devolved upon me.
How Gov. Yates’ mind had reached a conclusion so unexpected
by all of us I never ascertained. He lost a renoinination and before
I left Washington I had the mortification to see his proclamation
calling an extra session of the Legislature in August to reconsider
the^ subject of the Electoral law.^ This served to increase the agita-
tion in the public mind caused by Mr. Clinton’s removal but gave
us little fartlier trouble, our majority not having then been disturbed
as it was afterwards by the toniado of Mr. Clinton’s election. I
wrote a communicatio]i for the Argus to shew the impropriety of the
call, and our friends in the Legislature, on the motion of Mr.^ Flagg,
resolved that nothing had arisen in the Recess to justify the call under
the Constitution and adjourned.
April, 1824, in caucus Yales received only 45 votes and Young CO. The un-
populaidty of Yates was said to have been due to his opposition to an electoral law.
Hammond writes (II. 3 60): “He pursuaded himself that the party in favor of that
measure, which ho knew was composed as well of the Clintonians as the people’s men,
were so much divided in opinion about the selection of a gubernatorial candidate,
that if he were to place himself in an attitude which would enable them with any
decent regard to consistency to support him as their candidate, in all probability they
would do so ; or if in this view of I he case he was mistaken — if he was to come out
publicly in favor of the measure which had recently excited so much attention — It would
create* such confusion in the ranks of the supporlers of Col. Young, as would, in all
proimbility, defeat a rival for whom it cannot he supposed he entertained much affection.
It must have been under some such Impressions, that, contrary to the expectations, and
to the surprise of all parties, on the 2nd day of .Tune he issued a proclamation requit'
ing an extra session of the legislatui'C on the 2nd day of August,” — W, C, F,
sAzariah 0. Flagg,
148
AMBRICAW HISTORICAL ASSOCIATIORT.
Gov. Yates’ future political prospects were by this act totally de-
stroyed. Col. Young, who obtained the nomination for Governor or
our side, not aware of Mr. Clay’s want of strength with the rani
and file of the party in the state, allowed himself, in an evil hour
to be persuaded to come out with a Card substantially avowing hi;
preference for that gentleman’s elevation to the Presidency. Thi
disgusted the Eepublicans by thousands and I had great difficult;
to prevent a meeting at the Capitol to renounce his nomination.
These antecedent weaknesses and disastrous results were relieve
by a single amusing feature, and that was the very characteristi
tho’ somewhat irreverent reply of Gov. Yates to his relative, Joh
Van Ness Yates, then Secretary of State, who, designing to coiiso:
hiin in his adversity, said to him, “ Well, after all. Governor, or
thing is true of you that cannot be said of any of your Predecessor
You are the only Governor who came in unanimously !” “Yes, Joh
by G— was the reply, “ and, it may be added, who went out unm
inouslyP’’
CHAPTER XIII.
I left Albany for Washing-ton ^s completely broken down a poli-
tician as my bitterest enemies could desire. On board of the small
steamer that took us to the lai'ger one that waited for her passengers
below the overslaugh it was my luck to meet Mrs. Clinton (the Gov-
ernor’s wife) and her brother James Jones. The latter said to me
whilst we were ° seated at the breakfavSt table, “ Now is the time
admirably fitted for a settlement of all difficulties between Mr. Clin-
ton and yourself.” I thanlred him for his friendly suggestion — ^the
sincerity of which I did not in the least doubt — but replied that my
fortunes were at too low an ebb to be made the subject of a compro-
mise, and that when they improved a little I would remember his
generous offer.
I stopf)ed at New York only long enough to pay the bets I had lost
on the State election and then went on for the first time without Mr.
King. I was dissatisfied with his course in the election, with which I
had no right to meddle; but, as I was not in a mood to form a very
correct estimate of my rights in that regard, I indulged iny feelings.
1 found at New York the good old Patroon Van Eenssalaer, who with
the Dutch pertinacity and fidelity saw in my distressed political for-
tunes a reason for sticking to me and insisted on our journeying
together. At Philadelphia we were overtaken by Mr. King who said,
in his peculiar way, that he had been enquired of by his servant
William “why it was that Mr. Van Buren had for the first time
passed on without calling,” and that the only answer he could make
to William’s natural question was that he kneAv of no reason and did
not believe that a good one existed. I mattered some civil explana-
tion that explained nothing and when we reached Washington Messrs.
Van Rensselaer, McLane, Cuthbert^ and myself took a furnished
house and Mr. King joined a mess at the Hotel; our accustomed
social relations were, however, in most other respects, maintained.
The Presidential canvass in the House of Representatives soon
commenced and was carried on to its close with intense feeling and
interest. I obtained a meeting of the friends of Craw’-ford in the
New Yoi’k delegation and proposed to them in a few remarks that
we should abstain to the end from taking a part in favor of either
of the three gentlemen returned to the House — Jackson, Adams or
MS. II, p. 10.
^ Stephen Van Rensselaer of New York, Louis McLane of Maryland, iuid Alfred
Cuthbert of Georgia.
149
250 AMEBICAN HISTORICAX, ASSOCIATION.
Clay [Crawford]. I assured them that there was no danger that an
election would not be made by others and that if the friends of Mr.
Crawford stood aloof from the intrigues which such a contest
would produce unavoidably they would form a nucleus around whict
the old Eepublicans of the Union might rally if the new Administra-
tion did not act upon their principles as we apprehended would b(
the case. They resolved with perfect unanimity to pursue tha
course, and I do not believe that a single individual of our numbe:
ever thought of departing from it: certainly not one did so depart
Judge Hammond was therefore misinformed in regard to their in
tention to vote in any event for Mr. Adams.^
On one occasion Francis Johnson, of Kentucky, a prominent sup
porter of Mr. Clay, called, by appointment, upon Mr. McLane an
myself, and in a long conversation endeavoured to prevail upon us t
unite with the friends of Mr. Clay in making Mr. Adams Presiden
Finding us unyielding, and standing with his hand on the door 1
said that with our aid that result could be easily realized and that 1
was not absolutely certain but thought that they could accompli.'
it without our assistance. I stepped to the door and said “ I thir
that very possible, but, Mr. Johnson, I beg you to remember whi
I now say to you— if you do so you sign Mr. Clay’s political deal
warrant. He will never become President be your motives as pu:
as you claim them to be.” He was a light hearted man and not a
to take anything gravely, but replied with a sensibility unusual
him that I might be right, but yet that he believed they would
it and trust to the purity of their intentions for their justificatic
The friends of Crawford lacked but one of being half of the N-
York delegation, so that the diversion of a single vote from J
Adams would produce a tie. Gen. Van Eensselaer was, throu
his first wife, a brother-in-law to Gen. Plamilton, and had, at
early age, imbibed his dislike to the Adamses. He at no time
tertained the idea of voting for Mr. Adams and communicated
views to me at an eaidy period and without reserve. On the morn
of the Election he came to my room and told me he had some thou
of voting for Gen. Jackson, and asked me whether it would make
difference in the general result, adding that as he had uniformly i
me that he intended to vote for Crawford he did not think it prc
to change his determination without letting me know it. I told
that as his vote could not benefit Mr. Crawford it was of no
portance to us whether it was given to him or to Gen. Jackson,
submitted whether, as his intention was known to others as we!
myself, there was an adequate motive for subjecting himself tc
imputation of fickleness of purpose by a change which would
^Hanimonfl, Political History of New York, IT, 177.
AUTOBIOGRAPHY OP MARTIN VAN BUREN. 151
cluce no beneficial result to any one. He reflected a moment and
then said I was right and that lie would adhere to Crawford. Wlien
he arrived at the Capitol Messrs. Clay and Webster had an animated
conversation with him in the Speaker’s room. The first intimation
[ had of the hesitation they produced in his mind was a message
from Mr. McLane, through Mr. Archer,^ thatMr. VanKensselaer had
been staggered by the representations of those gentlemen, accom-
panied by a request that I would come to the House and talk to him.
I refused to do so on the ground that I had no right to interfere with
Ins action in that waj^; the communications that had passed between
him and myself having all been voluntary on his part and the great
disparity in our ages rendering any attempt to influence him at such
a moment indelicate and inadmissible. Mr. Archer fully concurred
in these views, but in a few minutes returned with a request of the
same character, and from the same source, of increased urgency. I
consented to go into the House, and if Mr. Van Rensselaer, of his own
accord, addressed me upon the subject to do what I could to dissuade
hAm from the course it was feared he would take.
As I entered the Chamber Mr. Cuthbert met me and said that it
was not necessary that I should do anything in the matter, as Mr.
A^an Rensselaer had that moment assured him that he certainly
would not vote for Mr. Adams on the first ballot. I remained to
see the voting which took place presently afterwuvrds, and Avas pained
to witness Mr. Ahin Rensselaer’s obvious agitation and distress.
AATien the votes of the New York delegation were counted it was
found that Mr. Adams had a majority of 07 ie. The vote of the state
Avas of course given to him and he was elected. Mr. V an Rensselaer
at once admitted that he had voted for Mr. Adams and thus changed
the anticipated result. The excitement was of course very great,
and I hurried to our lodgings to prevent a breach between him and
Mr. McLane. I found the General and Cuthbert sitting at opposite
ends of the sofa, both much excited tho’ not a word had passed be-
tween them. As I entered the former said ^‘Well, Mr. Van Buren,
you saw that I could not hold out ! ” I replied that I had no doubt
he had done what he conscientiously believed to be right, that was
enough and I hoped the subject would noAv be dismissed from our
minds. I then went to Mr. McLane’s x*oom and found him still more
stiri'ed up and it required the greatest effort on my part and
a plenary exercise of Gen. Van Rensselaer’s amiability to prevent
a brealring uj) of our Mess.
Gen. James Hamilton, of South Carolina, had enquired of me in
the morning what Avould be the result of the Amte of our state and
I assured him as I was fully authorized to do, that it would be a
1 William S. Archer, of Virginia.
152
AMEKTGAlSr HISTOBICAL ASSOGIATIOK.
tie. It had been ascertained that one of the Maryland delegation
would, on the second ballot, vote for Gen. Jackson, and would con-
tinue to do so. This would cause Mr. Adams’ vote to fall short tioo
of the number required by the Constitution, and it was confidently
calculated that rather than submit to a failure to make an election,
a, sufficient number of his supporters would feel themselves con-
strained to go for Gen. Jackson, who had received a lai'ge plurality
of the popular vote. This calculation was broken and every hope
dissipated by Gen. Van Rensselaer’s sudden and unforeseen change,
The excitement caused by it was therefore not surprising.
I had asked no explanations of the General nor did I intend tc
do so, as I was satisfied he could not give any that it would b(
agreeable to him to make. But an evening or two after the election
whilst on our way to visit Mrs. Decatur,^ he volunteered an expla
nation which he did not make confidential but of which I did no
speak until a long time afterwards, and, to the best of my recollec
tion, for the first time to Mr. Clay. He said that after what hac
passed between us he felt it to be due to me that he should explaii
the change in his vote which I had so little reason to expect. H
then proceeded to inform me that when he arrived at the Capito
Mr. Clay invited him to the Speaker’s room wdiere he found Mi
Webster; that they took the ground that the question of election o
no election wmuld depend upon his vote : that they portrayed to hh
the consequences that would in all probability result from a disoi
ganization of the Government, and referred in very impressiv
terms to the great stake he had in the preservation of order froi
his° large estate, and kindred considerations. He said that his miu
was much disturbed by these views which' he had not before r'
garded in so serious a iight, but that he returned to the Chambi
determined not to vote for Mr. Adams on the first ballot wffiatevi
lie might be induced to do ultimately if their anticipations of
failure to make an election should prove to be well founded. I
took his seat fully resolved to vote for Mr. Crawford, but, befo
the box reached him, he dropped his head upon the edge of his de
and made a brief appeal to his Maker for his guidance in the nic"
ter — a practice he frequently observed on gTeat emergencies — a:
Avheii he removed his hand from his eyes he saw on the floor <
rectly below him a ticket bearing the name of John Quincy Adai:
This occurrence, at a moment of great excitement and anxiety,
was led to regard as an answer to his appeal, and ta.king up 1
ticket he put it in the box. In this way it was that Mr. Ada
was made President.
^Mrs. Stephen Decatur.
MS. II, p. 15.
I xu.uMtUAr II I ui- AlAU’nN VAN lUIUKN.
hen I s|h*il( souk* (Ikvs willi iMr. (’hiy at Ashland, upon liis iiivi-
lalion in ISiLh In* rallied iiu* eonsiderahly upon the (lenei’al’s vole,
and spok(* ol (la* lahoi* i( had (ajs!- him lo e<)i*i’et‘t tlu*. heresies I had
sown in his luimL Al(h<r lliere. was, as I luive said, no iujuiudiou of
seereey upon Iiu* (Jern’rals eomniunieation and it was not impossible
llial h(‘ omil((*d i( lu euabh* me (o satisfy my friends in re|i;ard lo
his eoiiduel, 1 y(»( lel(. a <l(*li{‘ac*y in s|)(*akin^* of it on aveounl. of ii.s
p(‘(‘uliar eharae({*r, and (luuH’hjre snhiuiKed in silence to Mr. (day s
pl(‘asantry, I pon his \‘isi(. to nu» in IS ID, he happeiu'd one evenin^j:;
lo reeiir hi llu* suhjiu’l, wlani I iold him (hat I had on a fornu‘r
o(‘<’asi<m oniilh'd lo placa* lhal maM('r liefori*. him in its time li^lit
fivmi a feeling' <d’ donbl in re<»:ard io (In* elfeet that a true* i‘elation of
I Ik* sulijecd mi^'hl havc^ upon the r(*[)nta.tion of a nuin whom we
holli (*>teeiu(*d s<i highly, lm{ (hat upon fai’tlu*!* rt‘(l(‘e(ion I had come
10 (Ik*. (suK'Insion lhal as il would la* only si r'(‘n^iheU(Hl in the ])oint
upon whi<’h his UK*]’il was most (amspieuoiis and rc*al, I hat of sinecu'c*
pi(*ty ami Ikuk'.sI v, I f(*tt lhat (Iku’i* could Ik* no ol)j(*<'(<i(m to my ^J!;iV“
iii^ him llu* (huK'raPs (‘Xplanal ion of his vole in his own words, to
uliieh la* li:.((*n{‘d wilh /p’cad. in(c‘]’(*sh
I joiiKal 1 he immense llu’on^ at Mr. Adams’* house* on (Jk* (hiy of
the I miu^ui’al ion ami aflm* paying' my r(*spe<’(s lo him [)ass(‘d <m lo
I he ^^‘hile House lo lake h‘av(‘. of 11 k* r(*tirinn^ Pr(*sident. \ found
Mr. Monr<K' !il(‘r'ally aloiu*, am! was as usual kindly rt‘e(*iv(*d. 1 re**
mained an hour willumt beiun; joined by a single individual, wb(*(i 1
pai’led from him hu’ (he Iasi (imt*. ()win^ lo an eai’ly and souk*-
what exeih*<l dinV?’(*n<a* in opinion upon what 1 emdd not bul r(*^ar<l
as an iinfor'lunah* [loinl in his atlminisl ration, <mr relalions had
m*\'er liet‘n <’<mikl(‘ntiah I m‘v<‘r(hel(*ss always res[i(*et(*<l ami (‘s-
lt*(*ined him, AltlKMijLdi iiol poss(*ss(*<! of r(*markahl(* (ah*nls, lu* passc‘d
through an almost iim*<{iialled number (d’ n*sponsible. public* (miphiy-
UK‘nls wilhout l(*avin^': a slain upon his <’harae(er,
N<*ai* (he close* <d’ (Ids session I was paim*d to witness onec* more*,
llu* exlt'id lo which nd\‘am‘in^ years had impaired I Ik* poW(*r of selh
control for which my worlhy eoll(*n/xm‘ had lKH*n nuieh <lisl in/^nislK*d.
d'his exhibition was (he more dislrc’ssin^: on aec-oiml of (Ik* plaei*
where it o(’enri*e<L d'la* Soei(*ty of Shakers, resid(‘fils <d‘ my native*
c’ounty, sent (o im* lh(*ir p<*(i(iou lo (\)n»rr(*ss praying* lo la* allo\v<*d
{‘Xemption fi'om niililary s(*i‘\'iees ami from o(lK*r (liirK‘s which <*00-
lli<‘l(‘d wilh llu'ir r(‘liy’ions faillu 1 presi'nled tin* Pelllion wilh
a bri(*f r{*f(‘?’(me(* {o (he eharaelers of I he p(*li(iom*rs and moved lhat
11 should 1 h* r(*f{*rred lo Ihe (dmmillec* on llu* Mililia, Mr, Kin<L>: im-
m(*(liat(*ly rose, made* for him, a v<*ry vinh‘nl. nlla(*k <m the appli-
eanls, us a band cd’ fanalies-, ami end(*d by a moti<m to lay tlu^
P(*(ilion on (lie (able, adding lhal it would lie lait justly trended were
it thrown tindi r (Ik* iahh*.
164
AMEBTGAl^ HISTORICiy^ ASSOCIATION.
There was something so extraordinary, so unexpected and to all
present so amazing in his concluding remarks, as they related to
myself, that they failed to disturb my own temper. I was thus
enabled to describe very calmly, in reply, the true character and
condition of the petitioners,— concurring in the condemnation by
my colleague of their religious views, but giving them credit for
their charities, their sobriety and their industry, —claiming for them
the common right to petition Congress for a redress of grievances
even tho’ they were not real, — ^stating what I considered clue to my-
self in the matter, and concluding with a declaration of my inten-
tion, for reasons which the Senate would not fail to appreciate, to
postpone all comments upon the treatment which the petitioners had
received from my colleague until it should appear that he persisted
in his opposition to my motion in the spirit which had been exhibited.
The Senate was evidently relieved by the direction thus given to the
subject, and after a moment’s pause, without farther remarks from
any quarter, met the motion to commit by an emphatic aye without
a single negative vote.
The occurrence produced a suspension of personal intercourse be-
tween us, but Mr. King’s good sense and correct feeling soon put an
end to it. Within a day of two thereafter he approached me at the
adjournment of the Senate and proposed to take a seat in my car-
riage. On our way from the Capitol he expressed his great regret
on account of the occurrence which I have described, — ^liis strong
feelings against the Shakers having caused him to overlook what
was due to myself. He apprised me of his intention to leave Wash-
ington in a day or two, never again to resume his seat in the Senate,
and said that he would embrace that opportunity to make his ac-
knowledgments for the respect and kindness Avith which I had treated
him. He regarded it as a remarkable circumstance that we should
have passed as opponents thro’ so exciting a Presidential canvass as
that which had just closed without more incidents to disturb our
feelings and to threaten our friendship than the few which had un-
happily arisen, and that he owed it to me to say, before we painted,
how sensible he was that we were in a very great degree indebted
for that exemption to my amiable disposition and self command:
and he concluded by pressing me earnestly to pay him a visit on mj
return home after the adjournment.
I need not speak of the extent to which my feelings were allayed
by this seasonable and kind explanation. I visited him on my re-
turn and was receiATcl Avith his usual cordiality. Pie said that som(
of his friends had told him that I would not keep iny promise tc
come to him, but that lie understood me better than they did, t(
which I might have added that there were not a few of mine wh(
AUTOBIOGRAPHY OP MARTIH YAH BUREPT.
155
censured me foi' doing so. Some time afterwards I received a letter
from Mr. King informing me of his acceptance of the Mission to
England, tendered to him i>y Mr. Adams. I assured him in reply
of my gratification that he had found himself in a situation to
accept a place so honorable and for the duties of which he was so
well qualified, and wished him very sincerely a successful mission
and safe return. His health, however, soon failed and in about a
year he came .home an invalid. I called at his home in the city,
and he directed that I should be admitted, but his old servant William
informed me that he was very ill and suggested the propriety of
deferring my visit for a day or two, in which I acquiesced. He gre^v
rapidly worse and shoitly after died, and I was thus prevented from
seeing him again.
Mr. King’s career as a public man, tho’ it failed to fulfill the expec-
tations which were justified by its early promise, w'as highly distin-
guished. He was appointed a Senator in Congress by the state of
Massachusetts as early as 178-, and also a delegate to represent that
State in the Convention which framed tho present Constitution of
the United States,, was made Minister to England by Gen. Washing-
ton in 1796, and represented the country at that court until the acces-
sion of Mr. Jeffei'son to the Presidency, when he requested his recall,
was twice elected to the U. S. Senate by the state of New York, to
which he had removed, and was iictually one. of its representatives in
that body 'when he was nominated by Mr. Adams and appointed to
the English Mission. In x^olitics he was fi’oni first to last a federalist
of the Hamilton school. The only material difference between him
and his old associates arose from a divei*sity of sentiment not upon
any general principle but in regard to the extent to which upon a
particular occasion and a special question ^ their country requii^ed an
intermission of party. He understood too well the working of the
public mind not to know that, after the sacking of the Capitol by the
enemy, the War, whatever might have been its -previous character,
must become national, and that those who failed to support it would
fall under the ban of poj)ular opinion. Viewing the matter in this
light and moved also by a genuine partriotic impulse he dissented
from the course pui'sued by his party in that crisis, arrayed himself
on the side of his country and zealously sustained the Government.
This gave him a position in the public estimation which was denied
to the mass of his former associates and contributed largely to his
re-election to the Senate. A man of sound sense and good taste,
having through the greater part of his life associated with eminent
men, as well in Europe as in his own Country, he had acquired a
thorough knowledge of what belonged to the proprieties of every
156
AMEBICAUr HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION.
situation in which he was placed, and possessing withal a natural
dignity of manner was well fitted to adorn high public stations. Mr.
Jefferson, comparing him intellectually with others, spoke of Mr.
TCiug as a “ plausible man.” Although I did not consider his mind
remarkable either for vigor or comprehensiveness, it yet struck me
that this remark did not do justice to it. Plausible he certainly was,
but he was also always impressive, at times eloquent and forcible.’
He generally selected one or two of the principal points presented
by any subject under discussion, and applying to their elucidation all
the power of his mind, seldom failed to do them ample justice. He
never attempted what Hamilton scarcely ever omitted to do — ^to fol-
low the subject into all its legitimate bearings and bringing into view
the collateral issues which sprung out of it and were logically entitled
to influence its solution, to bend the whole matter to a great point
most favorable to his argument, — a practice that caused Callender to
say of him that “ he beat his guinea into an acre of gold leaf.” If Mr ,
King had attempted this I think he would have failed.
CHAPTER XIV.
Although far advanced in Fedei'al politics I must not lose sight
of those of my own state. I will therefore, before I touch upon the
course of the Adams Administration, notice the most interesting por-
tions of her political history anterior to the very sudden and la-
mented death of Gov. Clinton. His prospects were never more
promising than in the early part of the year 1825. His triumphant
election as Governor of the largest state in the Union by the greatest
majority she had ever given to any candidate, produced by a wide
spread conviction in the public mind that he had suffered great in-
justice, required only ordinary tact and discretion on his part to en-
sure a continuing prosperity. The Erie Canal — the success of which
was his richest source of strength in the state — ^was completed this
season, and in the -month of November a few days previous to the
state election, the mingling of the waters of the Atlantic and of the
Lakes was celebrated through the country lying between them. The
re-election of Mr. Adams was considered, from his well understood
want of popularity, highly improbable ; Mr. Clay, by accepting the
office of Secretary of State, had for the time put himself out of the
line of competitors for the Presidency ; Mr. Crawford had been with-
drawn from public life by indisposition; the sanguine efforts in
behalf of Mr. Calhoun had proved signally abortive, and the lead-
ing politicians inclined to the opinion that Gen. Jackson’s strength
could not stand the test of a four years exposure to the public scrutiny.
Under such favoring circumstances it was not siuprising that Mr.
Clinton and his friends should have regarded his chances for the
Presidency as better than those of any other aspirant, yet strange as
it may seem, it is nevertheless true that the p)opular imiDulse in his
favor recently so strong was at the time of his great Canal celebra-
tion already subsiding, and the elaborate demonstrations of joy at
the completion of that work coldly received by the mass of the
People. Having, as they considered, justly rebuked the violence of
his opponents, they seemed disposed to leave his future fortunes to
his own management and to the course of events.
I did not accompany the Cortege from Buffalo to New York, but
joined in the procession at Albany and attended the public dinner
given on the occasion. My companion, in the former ceremonial,
was J. W. Taylor, who was a few weeks afterwards chosen Speaker
of the House of Representatives. Satisfied by my own observation
157
105 AMEKICA]^ HISTORICAL. ASSOCIATION.
and by the accounts I had received from different parts of the state
that the injurious effects upon the harmony and efficiency of our
own party by the combined agitation of Mr. Clinton’s removal and
the Electoral question had substantially spent themselves, I replied
to Taylor’s observations in regard to the imposing character of Mr.
Clinton’s position b^^ pronouncing a very confident opinion that we
should defeat him in the elections for the legislature to be held
witliin a few days. He expressed his surprise • at my delusion and
repeated the conversation to Gen. Van E-ensselaer. The latter in-
formed me that he had told the Governor what I had said to Taylor,
who had assured him that there was but one senatorial district in
the state in which we stood the slightest chance, and that the ma-
jority against us in the House of Assembly Avould be overwhelming.
Gen. Van Rensselaer was evidently distressed by my confidence in
a different result for tho’ perhaps liking me personally quite as Avell
as he liked the Governor, he was on political grounds desirous that
the latter should be sustained.
'We elected three of the eight Senators, and a decided majority
in the House of Assembly. Although in this election the Demo-
cratic party acted in undisguised opposition to Gov. Clinton it is an
undoubted fact that their prejudices against him had then already
considerably abated. Their distaste for Mr. Adams — a strong and
I believe well founded belief that the Governor syjnpathized in that
feeling — and the fact that many of the leading friends of Mr. Adams
in the state and a large proportion of the members elected to tho
Legislature on the same ticket with Mr. Clinton at the election of
1824:, were as hostile to him as they Avere to us, contributed to that
change. Informal conferences took place at Albany, during the
session of the Legislature of 1825-G, bctAveen prominent democrats
and some of the friends of the Governor Avith a vicAV to bring this
feeling to practical results. The Governor nominated his connexion
by marriage, Samuel Jones, ahvays l)efore a zealous Federalist, to
the office of Chancellor, and the Senate, in which our friends were
largely in the majority confirmed the nomination promptly and
unanimously. It was expected that he would give an indication that
he reciprocated the feelings of returning good Avill Avhich had been,
in various Avays, manifested, and the nomination of Mr. EedfiekP
for the office of Circuit Judge was looked to as the proof of such dis-
]Dosition. He A\\as believed to be personally favorable to this meas-
ure, but there was a lion in his path. Althougli he had obtained his
election by temporary secessions from the democratic ranks the great
body of his supporters was composed of the remains of the old fed-
eral party and they neATr could be taught the Avisdom or expediency
1 Ileman .1. Keclfleld,
AUTOBIOGRi^HY OF MARTIlSr BUREH.
159
of foregoing the full enjoyment of present power with a view to fu-
ture advantages. He disappointed the wishes of our side, but se-
lected a democratic adherent the least obnoxious to us.
The sayings and doings of this winter, altho’ they ameliorated
the prejudices against Mi\ Clinton in the Democratic ranks, and
excited friendly feelings in the breasts of many which did not
altogether subside during the brief remainder of his life, yet car-
ried conviction to the democratic mind, on the whole, that he had
become so connected with the federalists by the suppoxT he had
received from them, by social intercourse and latterly by family
ties — all cemented by a common antipathy against the ascendency
of Southern principles in our JSTational Councils, as to render his
suixport b.y us impossible without our° consent to an amalgamation
of parties in the state — which was deemed neither possible nor de-
sirable. I had. a long and friendly conversation, neither private
nor confidential, with Gov. Clinton, on my to Washington, at
the house of a mutual friend, to which we were both invited, and
returned in the Spring with a sincere desire that he should be re-
elected without opposition. My views were confined to that single
object. I had long been thoroughly convinced that his entangle-
ments with the federalists avouIcI always present an insuperable ob-
stacle to anything like the re-establishment of old political rela-
tions between him and the democratic party. As an individual I
was influenced by feelings of personal kindness and not a little
by a consciousness of the unintentional injustice I had done him in
the matter of the appointment of Attorney General; as a member
of the democratic party I felt that his re-election without a contest
would be a compliment that would go far to efface the severity of
their treatment of him in his removahfrom the Canal Board, and I
saw no adequate moti^^e and some embarrassment in a contest for
Governor in the then state of National politics. I have heretofore
mentioned Dr. Cooper,’^ then President of Columbia College in
South Carolina. He was son-in-law of the celebrated Dr. Priestly,-
and himself in respects a remarkable man. Mr. Jefferson
expressed his regrets to me that they could not avail themselves of
his services as President of the Universitj^ of Virginia, on account
of objections that were raised by many of the Trustees to his re-
ligious views, as he thought him by far the fittest man he knew of
for the place. The active, probably violent part he took in politics
during the administration of John Adams subjected him to indict-
ment and trial under tlie sedition act, and he was on conviction
sentenced to suffer imprisonment and; to pay a fine of, I believe,
° MS, IT, p. 25.
’ Thojnns Cooper.
2 Josepli Priestly.
160
AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION.
four hundred dollars. The imprisonment he endured, and I intro-
duced and supported a Bill to refund to him the amount of the
fine — whicli has, I believe, been since refunded. This induced him
to write me several friendly letters, continued to a period when, as
he expressed it, he had not, in Quaker phrase, “ freedom ” to vote for
me for President however much he esteemed me personally. One
of these letters was written during the administration of John
Quincy Adams, on the subject of the candidate to be brought for-
ward against him. He expressed great respect and much good
will towards Mr. Clinton and could see but one objection to him,
and that was an apprehension, expressed in his usual strong style,
that Mr. C. would be too much under the influence of the clergy — an
apprehension founded upon an address then recently delivered by
him before the Bible Society. Coming up the river in the same
boat with Mr. Clinton shortly after its receipt, I informed him that
I had a letter from the Doctor in which he was particularly men-
tioned in connection with the Presidency, but that as he might not
be pleased with its contents I would not offer to shew it to him — ^but
would do so if he desired it. He was w^ell acquainted with the Doc-
tor’s character and I handed him the letter at his request. He col-
oured as he read it, but smiled and said that there was no ground
for the apprehension.
Doctor Cooper came north the same summer and brought me a
letter of introduction from Thomas Addis Emmett. I invited Mr.
Clinton to meet him at dinner, and the latter was much pleased with
the originality and invariable force of the Doctor’s observations.
Mr. Clinton was, in a little more than a year afterwards, forever
removed from the political stage by the hand of death, and the Demo-
crats of South Carolina took early ground in favor of Gen. Jackson.
To this Dr. Cooper was earnestly opposed insisting that it would be
far better in them to go for the re-election of Mr. Adams and giving
reasons for his opinion which were characteristic of the man. These
were that if they intended to carry their opposition to a protective
tariff to the extent contemplated by them, as to which as a nullifier
he trusted that there would be no flinching, Gen. Jackson was the last
man they should think of for the Presidency because he would be
very apt to liang them, whilst they might hop>e to intimidate Mr.
Adams.
Having reason to apprehend that the imi:)ression that there might
be no opposition to the re-election of Gov. Clinton was causing con-
siderable uneasiness among onr political friends I made diligent
enquiries in regard to their dispositions and to that end visited sev-
eral parts of the state. The result was an entire conviction that any
attempt to prevent a counter-nomination would produce serious dis-
Ar'l’dlUtHHiAIUi V OK MAK'riN VAN lUTKKK. IGl
cord in our own ranks ami on^jfht no{ tlicnd'ort* (o ht' math'. A consid-
('I’tiblc nunilun’ ol oni' dclc^’a(t‘.s (in their way to Uu* Ih‘rkinn‘r conven-
tion met t<W'Mi(*r at my lioiist^, Amono- (Iumo w<m’i‘ Silas Wri«j^iit, and
Perlcy Keyes, two of tlu‘ inost inlliuaitial Itanho's of tlu‘ party, h'iiut-
iii^ aftm* tlu‘ lapst'. of sona* tiiia*, that no ont* introdianal tlu‘ subject
of llu'ir (^)nveniitnl alamt to he held, and niuhu'standinii: the tainse (d*
their nv^‘i‘r\a% I intnxlucial i(. myself hy observing’ that, it was an
ext ratu'diuary (’ircmustuiice (hat we sIkuiUI have Ihhui so lom>; (u
p'tluu' withotii. ti w<jrd bein^said in re<»*}ird to tlu* busiiu^ss tlu^y hml
Ikhui appointed to pcud’onm 'Flu* ici^ iadiin: tlnis broktui Mr, Kt\Ves
(‘XprissHtal a <lesire to lusar my views upon the subj(‘c(. dlu‘>e wiu’i^
^'iven without. rt‘S(‘r\ (». ( 'ommen(‘in|Li.‘ wit b an admission tlnd I would
myself ba\t‘ jjrefiu’n^l accjuie^ccnct' in the rt'-ehn*! itni (jf (*ov. (’Iint{m
and lilt* rea on ^ fnr that prefereiici*, j proctaaled to inform thiuu <d*
tlu' (uujuiritv; 1 luul made ami tin* re-mlt of (Item, whicli was that I
Was satidied that a nomination could not lu* omitpHl without sc*ri
ously di.‘.tractiu|ii: our party and that I could not ur.nc that coiirsi* in
v iew of such a (’om (*(|muna\ d1uw wen* rtdieveil ami irratilied by this
(‘Xplanat ion, asstirinic ou‘ that tlnua* war^ ^‘;real unanimilv amouL^ our
friends in favor of a nomination, that tlu^y had heard vvidi r(*jL»;ret
that I was avtu'M^ to it, ami oiu^ of ilu' ilide/^nl ion t(*ld mi* that tlu*
me(*(ini^ at wltieh la* wa ; appoint<*d had .mnu* o far a . to adv'ist* Idm
and Ids ctdieaipies to nominate one td* t!u*jns.elves, if they eotdd no
otliei* eanditlate.
On ludn^r a ked whom they had tlionidii of wy. a eamlidatc tla‘y
without a dissenting voua* named Oen, W'illiam Ptinldinir td’ \Vi*sl
(‘liester, I isx[»r{' ed the »»n*utt* I re p«*e( for < Jen. Paulding r ayinu.“
that I wotdd with plrustn’i' main* Idm (biveruor if it- was in my
powtu’ to do so, hut that tlnUH* vvt*re, in my jtulgnu'nt, strtuii^ ohjee-
lions to Ids nomlmition, Tin* phna* of his resiiliuna*! and his widl
known part iedpation in tht* feeliujivi of hi: nei/^hhoiss ndvau^t^ to
tlH‘ ('oust nu’t ion of (lu* Isrie (’anaU would ahaie inaki* his sehniion
inexpedient, liut tliert* was unollu'r atnl .slrarigt* as if mi^ht seem
to them a still umre formidnldc* ohi(‘cti<>in I alluded to the repoiM
already extiuiHivady circulated that tin' (huu‘ra! wa : tin* suhjcci of
a sinfTtthtr monomnnin in repird to hii- physical comlition tun* well
atlaptcd to la* nmdiv the suhjt*ct of ridicuh*. Knovvinn;- Mr. (’liutoids
pnadivity to that sjjt'cit* ; of assault, and Imvinj.?; on ^everal nin*a
sinus wit m'S>cd hi ahility to malve it <*tfer(ual, I fcart'd tliat he would
turiv this rt'pori iuttt a weapon for that purp(is(* and whi'ther trtte or
falsi* tluit it uoidd be in bi band v«*i*v duma^diig' u^aitist one who
was frf>m o{b«*r can e-. a weak eaudldate. d'bese rmuarks nuturnllv
U*d to a rail upon loe tu name a randidatt* luurt* likely to he MU^t'esH^
full. I replied that iuce I bad chanij^ed my vitwvs in repird to a
I'JTisa Vn|,l* 20 !l
162
ajvcerigak historical association.
nomination I had reflected much upon that question as one ^ *
involve our future success as a party and that I had come to
elusion to which I was quite sure they would not upon first j
sions agTee, but I desired that they would hear me patierit>ly
then do as they thought best. I confessed that in making’ o
lection I had looked beyond the election of a Governor,
been materially influenced by a deep sense of the disastrouB
quences that would follow anything like a signal defeat in tla.<3
ent condition of National politics and so near a Presidential
in which I hoped to see the democracy of New York act an.
tant part. said that I had never known an occasion on wl ^ i <*1 1 1
was so willing as at present to make sacrifices to afi^aildbilit'i/ ^ ^
on which that jDoint was entitled to so much consideration; tt
should l)e remembered that Ave had been oA^erwhelmed at the i < n j
election of Governor by a union between the friends of
Adams and Clay, for although our candidate Col. Young, hacl < > * ' f
eve, of tl^e election declared for Mr. Clay and had received hlao
*of a few of his supporters, most of them had acted upon
ciple which on such occasions usually controls the action oi‘
factions, that of striking at the strongest, and had voted jpoor C Mitt
ton ^to i!>ut cloAvn Crawford; — ^that a similar nnion betwoeii flit*
friends of Adams, Clay, Jackson and Calhoun had broken iits <{<%\\ tt
in the Presidential election; — ^tliat Mr. Adams had offered IVti'. C M 1 1 1
ton the first seat in his Cabinet, Avhich upon his declension wiX’R \
to Mr, Clay, and that there was, at the moment Avlieii I spolcc% 51 1 *
jDarently, a more cordial nnion between the friends of
Adams and Clay than existed in 1824, and, if we so acted as' irxy < •< mi 1
pel them to go together, that something like the same result u i i it 1
produced. It was well understood that we intended to siippoi'i*. <
Jackson, and I urged that if Ave nominated a candidate 'w^l io w rt. *
avoAvedly in his favor Ave would present to those three poli*tvi<Mil %t%
terests the same inducements they had in 1824 to coalesce, l>nt. t Im. f
havijig good reasons to believe that the apparent union be’b'wc'.c*n t !
friends of Clinton on the one hand, and those of Adams rtn<l C ^ \ \ ,
noAv identified, on the other, was a hollow one, if we noi-t^imsi t cm i
candidate whom the latter would regard as their friend, an<l wc its Y 1
therefore favour or be only suspected of favoring by his
we would drive a wedge into that union that would sever it; fom* \ ^
I then named William B. Rochester as the man whose mom lit tit i*
Avould produce that result. His father had been a partner irt
with the father [-in-law] of Mr. Clay, and he was at that mom<M i t
his return from a Mission which had been conferred on hini 1 1 1 f , n , .
Mr. Clay’s influence. He was also, as I remarked, eligibly ^ii \ r
“ MS. n, p. 30.
in (o (hn ('‘anal, liad so i*(>ntlui*(ial hiuisidf as lo avoid <*r(“a(-
strong* projudic't's on tlu* })ari of our rricuuls, and all ho’ \vc inii»'ld
haw. soiuv trouhlv with him if (dwltal \\a‘ sluudd ])rohahly smaaaHl
in tdarliu^L** radiahli' man to all tha otlu^r l)i‘pai't nuuUs of lha (iowrn-
nit‘Ti( and in that aV(mt would ho ahlo. to pr(‘V('Ut liiin fi*oin doing
inuoh injurv to our t^iiuso. I hoTu'Vod him homv-il and had ohlainiMl
a small appoint numt for him from tlu' (h‘iu‘rat ( hwcnmnuMd , tind
was [jorsonally V(‘ry partial jo him r.lthoiig:l\ 1 did not. suppose' that.
1 I'ould infliKUua' hiui agfainst. tlu'. wislu's of Mr, ('lay.
My oxpositiem nuuio a favorahlo improssion upon tho majority
of my auditors, hut. \\h*ig“ht and Koyess romaiiu'd iminovahh'd Idu'V
weaild oons(‘nt (o take' I?oohosi<'r for rdemtonani (Joveumor, hut. his
nomination U)V (lovornor, all otluu- (’onsidorat ions apart-, wouhl 1>(\
^ll^‘h a surprisi* uj)on th(’ puhlir that it would for that rt'ason fail.
Tiny hold to tho rdtl ndt' of a rogular i)rog;n*ssi(m, and could not.
hclii‘V(‘ in tlu' polity ofstartingf a nmv man for .so important a phuMs
d'ho ohjeu’tion had ut) weight with mo hut they p(n’si:4e*d in it.
I calli'd those' gfenjth'Uion hack aft(*r tiu' otlu'rs h'fl, ainl h('gg(‘d Ihi'in
in thiidv tlu* matlor ovt'r’ again on (lu'ir way to Ih'rkinn'r and to sa.{‘‘'
ritit'o tln'ir lu’i'judioe's against Mr. ('lay, which 1 kiu'w lay at tln^
hotloui of (lu'ir opposition, to tin' domatids (d* (In' t'risi:;,
William h. Many, then .Vdjulant (u'lU'ral of tlu' State*, inn'ing
<»llicial husine's. with f}o\. (Tmton on tin* folhoving tlay was asked
what hi i friends wotdd elo at Ilerkinu'r, anil on hi;* rt'plying tlint
they wotdd prohtddy make a inaninat ion, tin* (iovt*rnor (*\<‘lainn*d,
iit a lUely t otn*, "d hui. Paulding, I Mippo;e!" On In'ing*; informed
that it might In* Utn*ht‘sior, Marty (ohl me that In* solicn*d tluun
utnl ht'cann* tlumghtfnl t(» a tlt'gret* tluit omharrasM*d tin* hitter ainl
imlncctl him t<» propose (o [jostptnn' thi'ir luoiimsss, tf> which tin*.
Oo\(‘rnor n*adily as-ontt*d. Although n<»i apt. to plact* a vt'iy
high t*stimate upon the innnt'uot* of his oi>poni'uts, (}ov. ('lint<m
j^aw at a glance* the ttiret*(itm in which sitcli a nt>mination wotdtl
point ami tin* danger that wotihl flow fi'om if. Keyes tmd WrigHit
at‘knowlcdg(*<I to me aftt'rwartU that tiny saw tin* math*!* in lltc
;-unu* light lK'f<»rt* tlicy g<»t to Herkinn'r and u od (hf*ir iiitlucncn upon
Iht'ir arrival tti st'curt* tin* nomination of IJocht';!**!’ which wa;:
niadt*. d'hc matter workt*d as wt* antieipated. 'riie nomination
was ri'imtt'tl to have ht*en matlo ihronuli the inthmneo of the National
Administ rat itm, and that rcp«u’( recrived no eont radisf ioti fnjm
M'ashitigf on. The frail sord that tmilt'il the hifti'l’ viith tin* ('linfon
iatiN wtis Niiapped, and could in*vor havt* het*u rt'imift'd tf Mr. ('linton
h'.ul livinl. I-'cjc many <lay after the election, Re»ches(t‘r was sUp'
jif»M*«l to ha\i- ticncedcd, and (hiv. {‘Union wsis finally found t*;
* suafs Wi n:ht, Ji nail I*i*ti*\v
164
AMEKICAK HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION,
have been saved by the votes of oiu" friends on the Southern borders
of the state, given to him and to our Candidate for Lieut. Governor
because they were the open friends of a State Road from the River
to the Lakes along that border, the construction of which Mr.
Clinton had recommended to the Legislature whilst there was rea-
son to believe that Rochester would entertain different views of that
project.
We gave to Rochester a faithful support but had not much reason
as a party to grieve at the result. We carried the Legislature, and
every thing except the Governor, and cleared the way for our suc-
cess in the Presidential election. I had been doubtless in some de-
gree induced to recommend the course that was pursued by the
circumstance that my fe-appointment to the Senate of the United
States would depend upon the Legislature then chosen. But I am
very sure that the influence arising from that source was subordi-
nate to my desire for the promotion of the cause I had heartily
embraced and actively supported. The readiness with which I had
before sacrificed high official station for its success must go far with
candid minds to sustain this assertion.
I received daily accounts of the feelings of Governor Clinton
during the time when the election was supposed to have gone against
him from one of his most devoted friends and I can say with per-
fect truth that I listened to his account with no other feeling than
]*egret that circumstances beyond my control had compelled me to
contribute to the result he so painfully deprecated. Of this his
friend was well convinced or he would not have made his communi-
cation to me. In explanation of the supposed loss of this election
and of other adverse results in his political career the Governor
said to this friend, who was an old democrat, that he had by the
force of circumstances been connected with a party which was under
the ban of public opinion and whose unpopularity would render
their support disastrous to any public man. The suspense as to the
result continued, as I have already mentioned, for several days as
Ave were not then favored Avith the facilities to convey information
we now possess. On the last night of its duration, the Governor’s
friend to whom I have referred, called upon me in high glee with a
report that Steuben County, from wliich we confidently expected
more than one thousand majority, had, in consequence of the State
Road question, giA^en more than that majority to Mr. Clinton, and
wished to Imow before he communicated it to the GoA^ernor Avhat I
thought of its truth, and effect if true. I told him that I considered
it an improbable rumour, but that we had all along been apprehen-
sive about that part of the State— that it might he true and if so that
Mr. (Million was uiuloulMiMlly Ih‘. litorally ran froni nu‘
for ft*ar that soiuo other person ini;^rlii. anlieipah‘ him at the (Jov-
('rnor's house with tlii' g’ood news, 'riu* iu‘\t morntuir hi'ing* Sunday
a finv nionuMits hc'Tore 1 starlcal Tor eliureh 1 lieard (he. sound (d‘
(lu‘ sti'ain hi'in/x blown oil*, sipndinjj!; (In* arrivid of the Southeiai
boat., and ininusliaUdy after 1 saw a hiisy friimd of Mr. (Minion pass
my wiiulow in h<M haste in tluv direiMion of the (iovmmor’s iH*sid(met\.
1 din'eit'cl (hm. Marry 's allcMition io him, sayinn: that the steam-
boat, had, I did not donhi, hron^’ht the news from the Southern tim'
(jf eouniit'S whieh reelei'ted ihi' (iovinaior, hut, this he did not. (unMlil.
As wi' wndkeil to the eluuaMi I told him tlu^ mystery would he solved
hy tiu' lalts arrival at ehurrh (d’ tlu' (lovm-nor and Mrs. (Minion.
Aftiu* eonsidi'rahle progress had been made in the serviia*s they ar-
rived and Mrs, (Minttm had no sooner settled herself in her sent- than
^ la' turned ttova!*ds us and favonal us with a look whieh imlueeil
Marry to whisper to nu* that tlu' elertion was imhaal hist.
MMiir; eha’tioii ardently as it was rontestial and intense as was ilu^
exritiMiamt- ratised hy its rlo eiie; s, tlid tu>t. in llu' haist a^'i’m vale
the politiral hostility that liad hm^’ (‘xistial hiMwiaai Mr. (Minton
and the thanorratit* party, lie ilid lud the less respert them hn*
ha\ in^j: suppoi'lial with ^‘ood faith and /.eal a nominee who was not.
at. laairt (he ohjisi of their pr(*ferenet\ ami the ^N’eal juldition to
his prmiotis pj'ejndir{‘s a^ain.sf Adam.s ami (May nunle hy tlu'. eon-
duet, of theii* fritual;; in tin* rc*eent (de<‘tiom; svent. fai’ to maitrali/a^
Ids antipathy towaials hi;, fair and t)pen o[)poiients. 1 hatl e\i*ry
reason to helit've (hat .surh wa:; (lu* ra a* in n‘<rai’(| to mysiMf pm*-
.sonally, .\l(ho' not a word had t‘ver pa s.sed bet wi*en ii.s, eitlns'
din'etly or Ihnniidi friemls, lu^ was matle to undtu'slaml, in what*
way 1 ne\er knew hnt havt^ /XHesNisl that it was thro' Mr, Knowi'r,
(he father in lav\ of (hm. Marry, (hr nature of my ft'rlin^s towanl.s
him I (Minton I and (hr extent to whieh I had Inasi williu^L!^ to ^o to
plaee him on an etjuul footinn^ with his I’ompiH'rs in (lu' Pn'sidimtinl
eanvHss, and he appi’tsuatcMl eorreet ly (he maa'ssily wlii<‘h o\ (*rrnlecl
that disp<»sit i<m.
MMu^ fdecMion plretnl a .snlliritmt majority of my fi’iends in both
hrnmdies of (he* bt*/ 4 ;ishi( urc*. to sisain* my rt* appointment, to the
Stsuile aixuinst. all opposition, yiM 1 had the he; ( i-csistm to helii'Ve
that, jirreat. (dforts wm'e made hy tin* friends of the .\alional Adiidn
istrutitni to pre\ail upon (iov. (Minitai to unite in an attempt to
pn‘Vi*nt my n^tniai, am! that he prcmijitly and detinitively refused to
do so, Sonu‘ of his friend:^ o\*er whom he had {he most, inllmmee
\o{c«l r«»r im* and I was informed hy his aid. ( Ml. IUood|Xoodd that,
a day or two heffm- he tiled lu' had spoktm of me in kind and eom«
plimentarv terms.
.MS. n. 1-
0»* Will IUin}|titu»u|.
A.M J JvH J J I M M .
1. i <
im
^rhr puMir uiiriil :n W A-Unit^um ma d^rplv ai{\{i\1^
of iht' <invi*riu»rV ‘iiiMru il n^alry^
nitiiiu'nK was htisluMl for a vA ^^ni :iu*l piv-jl^^
by IV<*liniXs of '■UH'rrt* 1 lit* ■4l»*u uma ♦'!
aw’ukaiun^r <’liarify anti ymiKit^t} in ihr iiiinut^
])ivsi*iu’i' tjf ib*u(h ulw aV ' a '-Hbir^ n| o.^ ^
tlu‘ luaiv'volant- miinl, :iiul wUni th*- ■ ;uv
.sudtirn rlosi* nf a prnjuininit uial udlnriit lal pnhlir
luid t'anu’i', i( Is un Ir - iuattfr «d jJj farfaai lu
of tlu‘ ri*prr>nil at u < ui ^ »4itu<v.* fioiu
^’nrlc, tM>nV(MUMl fur llu* puipn »• mI r\|»Vr % Uir" ilu'ir
orcasidii, t!u» r“l!n\uiur muuik- by Jin'll
insarl from a n^p^rt publi hrd ai thr tbii^s
'Plit* liMimnibli- MurUa Vnn * ^ ajhlriv
Haarl.N in flu* Jniluw jiu u«*rti . ;
Mr. (’hairiuitii ' Wi* !;« ? r.* a ?-i?- - - •
our lato cjnvrrunr afol f»'n**s* » . I'f* 'VN^la
of t»ur hnalui'li h;l\r .»* t.ijut :r. d* , ' t
aitju of otu* {voUii/. : aiol I iu i*’s? . a. ** ^ f tliolr ^
NVhut haa ooi’urr«-i{ i.? lu*-, a"- f** t- . .St ^ ‘H’t'jlNI
lulf li to till' r>iii 4>tt run«‘ij t'f f-H- jK.-* I" ' ., I !'» : s •> lo l)i^
lu-ifS’ naiKirf^. I r:m •ay U'-Hau.: nf ilu- a.. * * ^ . -i is 1 %^
nU. 'in all ho n^t: \n-i ■-■^.4 t- j..:/... of ^
fuiuHhtryv, U'«un ««ur rMiiu- ? hv-.h “ j Sj »4 lii^
Ira^ r.tsil aiaJ sroiit hu-’o*- , i \SLnti vju^ h ?!« ;*■
(»1 .Visit’s, hiTli lirSult il l>i f!.«" I- • ' S' ^ * fSiMl (
Jllsn UUnWtl t«» VmU uU J iUi 4 I*-, mil J .-.,;-:4 •: I ituly
raihjool oalt 4 »tHo lt.» u 44 “Hm:,,cI irJvir * .-5 i: ; •. « fj*
Initio. All «ajiri’ t’l .u a*h'i l*'t( . ‘S? o-f -S-v^. il.- :S , •»’ bu*-t
Jilthlir hn|«rn\ riui'14 m 1‘ Ih*- w-..;. !* ■ • i onjn
;:ijhhmi’o nt la . .t:.4 ' ..tSjV •■: ; :" ^ >\ UIH
ninjilro'., ):. nr i? -nlf ■ i?s, j«.jj |.. jiH *:. .. ‘ -f atiy
iflory la any tiainr Ihif, a . h» . . ; s y y : IIIV
(’ntnhii'f h.ivo hootinji* fho ».f ? 1 I.-'a. . ,. , ainl f
In tlnufir fhaf hi So , lUU ♦!,. 'y.liu I. * '. : ^uh op
(rio(i‘iu ('lUifgMC rail f'* !■«■ >: *■ : 5.;..-: « •••. s, (•(!
oann<»{ ilnhs-a hlU Itlsa-- .ht- < u a: y. »■ .» , ^ ; »riy <•
ninl ;n*tlnu, uf m» # r '-..i -• ! >• ; . h-.ivo
liiM'oaM'ij aiini »•! k. I ? 1 . . ; uir s
mi*lain’iinh\ , fart • !>-. a, . . ho i
ilofisr 0
fl ul'.*' h‘H a.:**! .a'l ‘ ‘ * '4, ./'
‘ ' 4 <llf'
\vlinll.\
Jlrn 1 rn?.! .J4 I<1»' ■•< »•,-■':. •■, , '
' : *4 Iti
iiaH'ri!.
I hit it. I 1? •. -. s,->, :•
.Unit
Iti ( it< I' 1
• r..l!i ik.;. j 4. ! . 1 . * . 4
h.\ ito*
f\i'Ss* v,i .|«-ys :> . ...y ; 1 y • .'s
Sill, ^
ntin h,-urf. M.-hM - ! : : S .-..s ’S^sr,. ,>i
^ .■. .« l' .-, ! -A (U<
;n f;s ■ |;...S . : r. y., v.- '. • r y , i :, . ■ 1 ■ * , -14^*''
lu,u. T..>- S y :. : r :. '.y.,: ; ,y : p __ '
Hi Ut»* d ia-aM-, I . ; I A
imm(‘ an«l oiir wiiniu'sl it udo fur Ids an^jd and si.aiial s('rvit‘(\ l*\»r inysair,
sir, so strong, so sinnaa* anti so ('!i;;rossii4^ is Had I'tsdina', Dial I, \vho widlst
iiviiiK no iH‘Vt*r (‘n\lod him an.vlhina: now tlial lit* has radon, am
Kroatly Itauplod to (*nvy him his ;4raV(‘ witli its honours.
or this tho most uliliiMlna' of al) laMaaivianoids tlnil has falhai upon his
wrololasl and di'spomhad landly, what shall I sayV Nolhiin;’ thoir ariol’ is loo
saonai I’m* tlosrriptlon jiisllci' can aliun* ho dono to it hy llioso drop and
silont, imt aKoidxdn^c ftadlnrjs which t»n their account jicrvadi* (‘Vc'ry iiosom.
Mr, Van Uiiiaai Ihmi snhmlttial the I'oHowini!;: resolution:
The I )td(*;^at ion rrom the Stale of Xmv Yorlc to the Senate and House ol'
Kejircseidat Ivt'S td’ the ( 'imiJiress id’ llu' Unttial States, havlnjj; i»i‘on inrorniod
<d’ the suddt'ii death of ! >t' Witt Hlhdon, late (governor of that Statts rind It
duo to the occasion, as well as to their own foolinas, to unlti* with I hi* ]H*nph‘
lhi‘.v ri'prcsoid, In cNpri*ssim^ their deep and siuci*re sorrow for a dispensation
cd I'rovidcncr which has, in tho midst of active nsefuhiess, cut off from the
sor\ icc of that State, whose pnaidesl ornaini'id ho was, a ^reat man, wlio
has won and richly dosorved the rcputidlon of a dlst Itmnlsheil public hene*
tai'tor.
Scic4hl\ Impressed with respect for the memory of thi* Illustrious dead, they
will wear tin* usual hadue ol’ muurnlat.'^ for Hilrty days; aad they request
(hat a copy td’ tltese, their proci^edluas, tie eomtiamleated to tlie ramlly id’ (he
det'ea*.e{|, With an asstiranee of their eoialoleiiee at (la* rirna(e.''Jt hereavemeni
that enuld ha\e liel'alh'U them ou this sidt* the crave.
Al'liM' a Inpsi' nf inoiM' than ti tpmrli'r of a tM‘nidry and ufter liav-
htir nrijtiyml (he irtglu‘s( pi)li(i(*al distinelious known In nur syslt'uu
1 can (filly say (hat. I IVt*! upon (hi* suhjt‘(d now as I (‘Xprt'sstal my
self then.
iMr. ( ’linlmr.s pnli( ii*al advaih'ennml. diil not rmilr/e I'ilhcn* (la* ani if
ipntiniis of Ids early rritnulH nr pi*rhaps his own t‘Xpectat inns, ihil
he left tnii’cs upon (lie tituos in whitdi hr livetl which W(*rt* made
imlidihlt* hy his cnnnectinn with (lu* ^n*ai Ihihlii; "Work nf his pe
rinti (In* Ihrit* (’anal. In nil lht‘ i*i‘hi(innH nf private lift* his cnii-
ditei and character were, if nut faulUess, certainly withniit jn.st
n*prn;ich. His social hahiis for a season excitml Iht* apprehensioim
of his friemlH and wei’i‘ uuute (he snhject of nnfavnralili* censure
hy his opponcutSj but the former were dispelled and (la* latter refnti^d
hefore he dieih His liili^nts are admitted to havi* bci*n of :\ hit’ll
ordt‘r timl w<‘re favorably exhihlti'd in his wrirmps; Idm speeches
also were carefully and well eonsi.nu'li*d hnt <l(‘Ii\ercd in an awk-
ward and nnimpressive manner. He never enjoyed extensivi* popu
lurity with the ma^se‘”S all ho’ fh(‘re mm ht* no doubt of bis desire
to ac(|uirc it, and (he failnn* <d’ his ejlnrl . in (hut diriu'ihm has been
varioii.-Jy acconnti*d for. Ilis nllii’ial (’omtnimiealions wen* (illed,
sometime, overloaded, with expositions ainl recommejnlul ions of
measure , whicli In* thouidit I’ulcnhUed to snhsel’ve puldic and ad ■
vunrt* priv:iie int4*re.-d.-. Hi friend ^ g'encrally atti’ibiited hi;* want
of popularity to the .staieliuess and scciuiug hdiUcUr of Ids muii-
A
168
AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCTATIOH.
ners, but when the limited extent of his personal intercourse with
the People is considered the correctness of this interpretation of re-
sults so diffused may well be doubted.
In this matter of personal popularity the working of the public
mind is often inscrutable. In one respect only does it appear to be
subject to rule, namely in the application of a closer scrutiny by the
People to the motives of public men than to their actions, "^en
one is presented to them possessed of an ardent temperament who
adopts their cause, as they think, from sympathy and sincerely re-
gards their interests as his own, they return sympathy for sympathy
with equal sincerity and are always ready to place the most favorable
constructions upon his actions and slow to withdraw their confidence
however exceptionable his conduct in many respects may be. But
when a politician fails to make this impression — ^when they on the
contrary are led to regard him as one who only takes the popular side
of public questions from motives of policy their hearts seem closed
against him, they look upon his wisest measures with distrust, and are
apt to give him up at the first adverse turn in his affairs. The
process by which they arrive at one or the other of these conclusions
is not easily described. Feeling has of course more to do Avith it
than reason, yet, tho’ sometimes Avrong, it must be admitted that
they are much oftener right in their discriminations. Jefferson and
Jackson were favorites of the character I have described, and justly
so. Clinton AA^as not. For his conduct in regard to the Erie Canal
he received from the public all the credit to which he Avas entitled
notwithstanding the unfavorable criticisms that Avere made as to his
motives — criticisms of which Ave Avould not have heard if that great
public service had been rendered by either of the statesmen I have
referred to. A- striking illustration of the truth of this vicAV was
furnished by the fact that when he was for the last time a candidate
for popular suffrages he was not as Avell supported by the people on
the line of the Erie Canal (making allowances for their political
preferences) as his competitor, a young man Avho had rendered no aid
to that great enterprise deserving to be mentioned in comparison
v/ith his OAvn,
(UIAPTKU XV.
( ’irfUins(;nuH*s ofCUrriHl in tlu‘ smnnuM* nf Ihis ynar whinli from
llu'ir hoarin^* upon a ^‘ivai pnhlir (]Ut‘sli<)u am <U'st‘rving of uolici'-.
Tlu* animal pt'litiou of du' ninnufarinrnrs to VonjLt.Tnss Tor iiuTnastal
pro! (H’l it)iu pr(‘S(Mil(al ul tin* previous session, n'sidteil in ih{‘ r(‘porl
(if what, was eallvd Uio Woollens’ dill. Having' promised U» ueeoni-
pany a rritmd on a visit io (lu* (\aii!,‘re.ssional (\nne{ery. I was al»st‘iit
rrom (}u‘ Stmali* wlum (he dill was reaehed and rej<a‘(tal hy tlie <’as( -
in»j,‘ vete oT \'it‘e drt'sidenl (’alhoum My nhsenee. was ussununl to
ha\t» ln‘en intentional and was nnnle (lu* <>:rouml For tin* usual n(‘ws-
papt‘r \ it u[ieralii>n, ai'eordin/j^ to whieh my delimiueney was n:nMit ly
a;i:gra\ated hy my ata*oiupany in/jc t leii. Ilnmilt^m ami ('oh Urayton
to South (’arolina at the ehv'e of the st'ssion. ^\'hilst. at- (1u^rl(‘^.(on
I rereiviut a letim* from (’ompl roller Marey ur^in^* my immediato
r(‘turn to arn*st (he usi* that <uir oppfaiimls wi'n* mal<in‘i.’ (d‘ I In* ma*
(lU'ial . uith whieh I lunl thus suppliisl them. lla\ in<jc ha<l s(»nio
is\pm’iene«* id’ his prtjpmisity to r/'or//.-, ami withal not- ready to
('(Jinply with hi:* unrtai .onahle nsjuest, I n‘pruMl that if my stamling*
at honu* vn a . nut sullieieut to proli*et me a]L»:ainsl sueh assaults it. was
not worth preserving and that I should iujI harttm my retiii'ii for
.siieh a purpo IS t )n my way home.\var<ls I hairned at* Wc‘s( dolnt
from a rtdialde authority that thi* darilf eluuuinon Mallary had in
fornuHl his iVicmdo that il w’as (hi» intimtiou of llie Protia*! ionists to
ilemnuuH^ my c'oursi' at u Stut<*/l'aritV (’onveuti<m whieh was to meet
at Alhany uilliin a week or (wo, ami (hat my ohl friimd tlu' Ihitroon*
had apiHH'd to prerith* at (he met‘tin*i;. I iimuedialely didcrmineil to
fare the a ^semhla;L»:e and tt» speak for mysidh hut wdtliout eommiuu'
(aitiu^Lr my intention to a - in^de friend.
do the \ery aide export ion of the system and llu* persir,(i*nt
assaults upon Its inju-litn* and impoli(*y hy th(^ Ntwv ^'orl< Kvenin/j:
Post, tin* etumtry i -- more imh*hted for it ; linal oviuihrow, in (his
state* at lea'‘(, tluin to any other sin;de inlhu’iire.
On the mnrnlnt^ cd’ the d'ai’iir mee(in‘r at the (’apitol I .^tmt for
my fritsul Iienjandn Ivnowiu* and (‘hark*:; Is. I)udltw\ and fot^ the
first limi' informed (lunu td’ my intention-, and askeal (lunu to nee’om*
puny nu\ d'hey vnlasnently reiuou .trati'd apiin.st the projjosed
^.l^*p and fold no- that th**y liad h(M*n refuddy InforintMl of (he inh*n*
(ion in pa a ^nie cd' larn lire upon my eouiV'e in n‘^ai*d to the
KiU
.MS. n, e in.
* Vuw
Woollens Bill/ and that altho' (here would l>f iuau\ »d iny ]»nlitii’al
friends at (he nie(*(ini»\ a \’i*rv niajorit\ wouhl lu* rueuur ulju
Would avail (iuMns(d\‘es of my pi'i*stMU’t* (t» make tie* looro
lunniliatino’, I a<>*n‘ed with their opinion a-; t^i the uu’difatr.l a-
sanll, l>ut. ohscM’Vi'd that it would not he eontaineil in tie* lo*pft!'t
of llu^ C^ommittiH*, as well to save the leeliny.: <d liiy triiuid at thr
(\)inmeiu‘eiiu‘nt as heeaiisi* (he imuiaiivrs WfUihl lum^^ that th*n. \ an
KensselaiM’ would not niakt* himself a party to :iieh a Beprut hy a
(Committee of his appointing', aiul (hat as (lu* een oirr, i»»r tlte.t* rra
sons, would doul>th‘ss h(‘ r(*s(‘rv'ei| for a motif>n to amend, at the
close of till'. ])r(H*t‘edin^i;*s, if 1 nadd nnexptn’tftlly appear hrtoir thmi
after the. ori»‘anizat ion of the inei‘iin*x I vuuld tak*' my tdianer hu*
Avhat was doni‘ afltunvards. 'Fhey still ol>jeiie*k hut \\vri‘ of oour o
willing* to »'o with me, and after asi’ertatmnrr, hy u nte-vrurer ili .
j)at(‘hed for that purpose, that the arsemhla»n* iupMuna-d foi n ,
work wc‘ r(‘])ain*d to tlie ( apilnl.
My appearaina* oiaaisioiunl evitkad Nurpri-e. The Patmon
who ]U’i‘sided tisked nu* (o take a seat h\ lii . ide, uhseh 1 ir pi*et
fully deelined, and elmst^ an eliyphle po niou in the = loud. At
tlu‘ end of every spinadi the iy\es of tlir a enddar^f* wt u dnesfetl
towards nu‘, hut I waiiial until every tuir had vpolirn v. ho d*- ofd to
do so, and I then addressed the na*etue» hn* nrarh (um h‘en . ’''‘*» 4 ;***
of ih(' sp(‘eelu‘s pinn ion dy made eiuUaitied t»r in innatrtl jo
Justify UK' in r<\n:ardiu^ inyadf a ueeiisrd of thdin«|H*‘nra. m th**
matter of tla* Whjolleu- liill and tint, to opru tho uliok' jihir.r.
I was listeiual (o throughout with ileni hut re iHsiftd aiteniiou.
Ihirin^ the wholi* tiiia* my frieml Knourr sat dueiah hrf.io- and
witli his eyi‘s lixtal upon na\ autl whm I poke i*f tie* mifi.tire
that had heum dom* tu na* he was -o mueh a t^ am e t th**
attention oi tlu* iiUMdin^**. He was tlum exleii. a\e!y eiieie^d os tie*
purehast^ of wool, hut hein^r u Ivepuhliemi i,f the ohl . hte*! an 1
withal u sin<4-ularly npriLdit man and ■ ineere frimd. tho r hnr ^pnd
iti(‘S had iujI yet heen alleeted hy the ar»leut pur nd of m ‘le i . At
a later period he separated frtun many «»f hi easU fih nd , rlf
iUnong tin* n*st, iti (ajUMapiener of their atiti ta.nii opmu. , l.nt
short iiiut* ht‘fore his (kailh ht* atldre er| n^e a hat^ r teo|* f«' v. ith
the sent inamts jttul i\u* -.pirit of his he t dav .
At tln^ close of my speeeh Mr, d. Toun .end a * *«n in la ^ d*id*n*
Sp(‘n(‘er and a rich maiinfaeturer, i‘Xpre . ed a dr ire to p i a ^Ue of
(hanks to na* {or if, hut . ome t)f hi inoro " .n/a* tru; .na o^ • rdjo
(lid not think a laseu’nhly of its prtdrdde etfe.-t, intio f.-n-d md
t’^ded him. dim ineetine* dis ohed uitht»tn anuho.n B,- , .. i stljrr
‘A liill fm* Ihf "AM* t.i itn f - ‘.jj * »« .?!. ; v . • ,,j
«?, IHUt, tiy UtilUit I*, ^^^^a^u'J'. of t {jsi»}»f , tsij‘1 »i‘ 'I s< ; f ' • .i
said or doms and wr movtal ilowu Sitiia Si raid; Irnui (lia ('a.])it.ol
with avary indiaation of axultaiion on ilia j)ai't of iny iViands at iis
tlnioiirnn lit ^ and of dajaaiion on the oihar sidi‘.
Ml*. Knowar aania (o lua in ilia (‘Vaniinj!; and told nH^ lhai, on his
way hoiiia rrom Ilia (’apitol, Mr. W'ood, ona of his wool huyars
and a sansihla man, said to him -'Mr. Knowar! ihai. was a vary
ahla spiM'ah ! Vas, vary ahla!" ha answaraiL ‘■'Mr. Knowar!''
n^^aiii said Mr. WhioiU ufim' a. aonsidaral)li‘ pause, "on which side
oi’ iha Tariir <iuaslion was ii '^ ” '‘"d'hat is ilia vin’y point. 1 was
ihinkiiijj; about whan you lirst simka to nia, Mr, Wooil ! " ra])liad
Ixnowar.
I havt* fraipumtly bean told ami havi‘ always bidii'vad that I ran ■
darad much sarvi<’a to iha causa of ii’Uih by that sp<*(‘ch, bul ibis
cou\'arsai ion batwaiui two inlallipuii and init*rasU*.d mini would
seem to indica(i‘ that diractiiass on all [mints had not baeu its inosl;
prominaiii fcalui'c.
In the coursi* of my riauai'ks I had rafarrad io iha faci, by way
<d' puiiihjL!: mysidf in ;L»'ood (*ompany, lhai tin* ('hairman of iha
Maaiin/i;, my \cry p»o(l friend iha INilroom had t)aan also absani.
from his :vn\ in i\\v IloU:’a cd’ I{{‘pr(‘;iimtat 1 V(*s wlum tlu‘ Woolan's
l»ill pa*MMl (hat body. 'Idia racollcciinn of iliis fact, and i‘spacia!ly
my rafarcncc to it, had math* him quita uneasy in a po^-iiion wliich,
as 1 umlarstooih ha Inul iiroiuisad, a\an bafori* ha laft Washin^lom
(o occupy alt ho' ha hail no(, bean appi’iscd of iha iuiimlion (o assail
mi'. In iha i'\cninn\ btdn/j: ihs/irous to sea how ha had ridishad
ila* prociH'din/^;., I proposail to (lam I'homas Piiu^knay, of South
(’arolina, who had called upon me, a visit to iha Manor House,
W'a found i lam \‘uu Uaia salaar in ilu' act of ‘^ixin*^; Mrs. N'an Ivans
Mduar an account of the maaiin^ and our arrival (’raatad an lun
barrassmeut, unplcusanily ob\iou.s to lajih of ir^ that madi* me.
rc//rct that wa had inti*rruptai! him.
I had su-tained the protcctivi* policy by my votes and spaaidia.s
under instructions c»f the La/^islatura, bni tlia more I baiauna at*-
(|uaintad with its Irna aharaalcr and uiih the views id’ it:; advocaias
the more my rapuiLcnanac to it baaami* si ran/d baiiad. (’ompalh'd to
ra<nirt| if is a sv: tarn equally unwise and illiberal, kepi on foot by
pnlitirians io .ccurc ihc support of a chrsi of men whose scllisli
appetite iiienai'ed by imluhn^nee, 1 be<*ami* sinearaly solicitous for
i(so\erihrou : hut experience bavinysliawu tbnl it had acquired, by
ilia plausible prataimr . Upon which it- wa . iistainad, a hold upon the
[uihlie miml wlueh t'ouhl only la* lo^eimcal by dt*^,rrees anti by means
\\hi«*h would not roii e the prejudice . id' it upporters, 1 dt‘t(*nuint‘d
to aMill it in tlnit form, \\diat«*\ar may be thou*dd of flu' morality
“ MS. m r. 4ri.
172
AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION.
of such a conclusion it was to my mind quite clear that an obstinate
error like this, fostered by positive private gains to a busy few and
promises of individual advantages to large and influential classes
could in no other way be successfully combatted, and I considei'ed it
a case in which the end would justify means so little exceptionable.
President Jackson pursued a similar course, and, as I know, for
similar reasons, in his Maysville Veto.^ The great influence which
that Message exerted in overthrowing the entire system of Internal
Improvement by the Federal Government, altho’ it was only directed
against a part, is universally conceded. How much was done to-
wards correcting public sentiment on the subject of high tariffs in our
state by the course I pursued, it is not for me to say. Governor
Marcy, who will not, by those who Imew him, be remembered as a
flatterer even of his best friends notwithstanding this instance of
exaggerated praise, in a letter to me some months after this period,
referring to his solicitude as to the political effect that must be pro-
duced by the tariff feeling and his apprehension that it had disturbed
his relations with Mr. Wright, wrote as follows:
There was last spring a more than half formed opinion that you was liostile
to the Tariff; this opinion was settling down into a conviction accompanied with
some excitement and was doing (or rather was about to) infinite mischief to
the cause of Genl Jackson in this State, when, at the most auspicious moment
that political sagacity ever selected, and by the most successful effort that
talent ever made, you destroyed in the speech you made at the Capitol all tlio
works which long premeditated mischief had contrived, and the industry of
political enemies had been many months employed, to raise up for the prosini-
tion of yourself and the cause you had espoused.*
In every subsequent National canvass until my final retirement
from public life my Woollen’s Speech (as it was called) was made
a prominent subject of a partizan agitation. It was denounced by
my opponents at the South as proof of my being a Protectionist and
by those at the North as proof of my hostility to the system. So fre-
quent and continued were the applications for explanations that I
was obliged to have an edition of the speech published for the benefit
of my friends at the South. At the noi^th its drift and design wei^e
soon understood and in the end favorably appreciated.
In the fall of this year Thomas Addis Emmett was seized with
paralysis whilst engaged in the trial of a cause, and died almost im-
mediately. I was one of the opposing counsel in the cause, and as
the court adjourned on the joreceding day he [Emmett] expressed to
mo his surprise that Ave had kept our suit — ^the claim of Bisho]!
Inglis, of Nova Scotia, to the immense estate called the Sailor’s Snug
Harbor — on foot so long, but added that we could not prolong its life
^Blessage of May 27, 1830, with veto of bill authorizing a subHcription of stock in
the Maysville, Washington, Pax’is and Lexington Turnpike Company.
2 This letter, Marcy to Van Buren, 1828, Jan. 29, Is the Van Buron Papers in the
Library of Congress.
AUXU±iiUljJ:tAi:'±lX UX iVLAKTiJN VAJN iiUKiljJN.
X i o
beyond twelve o’clock of the next day. Wlien that time arrived I
followed him from the bar to the stove, whithex' he had been called by
an acquaintance, and said “ Well, Mr. Emmett, the hour has come and
we are alive yet !” “ Yes,” he answered — but you cannot live much
longer ! ” Immediately after my return to my seat David B. Ogden
said to me Look at Emmett ! He is going to have a fit ! ” I looked
and replied that it was a mistake. In a few moments he repeated
the alarm more emphatically. I went to Chief Justice Thompson,
before whom the cause was tried, and informed him of Mr. Ogden’s
suspicions. The Judge observed Mi\ Emmett closely, and replied
pleasantly ‘‘^jNTo! No ! Ogden is mistaken — ^his under lip hangs a
little lower than usual, but that is natural to him when he is writ-
ing ! ” At that instant and as I turned towards my seat I saw Mr.
Emmett reel in his chair and extend his hand towards a neighbour-
ing pillar. I endeavoured to intercept his fall but without success;
he was canned to his house and died in a few hours.^
I* had considerable professional intercourse with Mr. Ermnett,
admired his talents, and always found him liberal, honorable and
just. Elis conduct and character as a public man ai'e Inxown to the
country. He soon lived down the censures and hatred which pur-
sued him in his emigration and were for a season troublesome, and
died universally lamented as an honest man and faithful citizen.
There were circumstances in the life of my ill fated friend
Samuel A. Talcott, connected with the same tidal in the course of
which Mr. Emmett died, which lead me to take here a brief notice
of his brilliant yet melancholy career. About the year 1819 I
chanced to see a number of articles in a western newspaper criticis-
ing and censuring my course in regard to a public question, the
marked ability of which caused me to make enquiries in respect to
their paternity. I soon ascertained that they were written by Mr.
Talcott, a young federal lawyer of Oneida County whom I had
never seen. Happening afterwards to be on the same boat with him,
on our way to attend tlie Supreme Couxi: at New York, I sought and
made his acquaintance, and finding him undetermined, on our ar-
rival, where to lodge, I invited him to accompany me to the Parke
Place Hotel where I usually staid, to which he consented. The
house being very full I ordered a bed in my room for his temporary
accommodation. This arrangement led to frequent conversations
which impressed me with the highest opinion of his character and
intellectual endowments. I told him, one day, between jest and
earnest, that he was misplaced in the political field, and that he
ought to be on our side. At the moment I had not the least idea
that any consequence would flow from the remark, but I soon dis-
1 Nov. 27, 1827.
174
AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION.
covered that he had thought seriously upon the subject, and
desirous to talk farther with me about it. I gave him a very uia--
reserved account of my own political opinions and, as far as I uir-^
derstood them, of those of the mass of my party, and pointed on^*
to him the reasons why his chances for fame and public iisefulneBJ^
would be increased by joining us; but advised him at the same tinio
to come to no hasty conclusion — ^to think the matter over delibex*'-
ately at home, and, if he found his way so clear as to afford si-
reasonable confidence that the change when made would be satis--*
factory and permanent, to make it — ^if not, to stay where he was,
for I had too much respect for him to wish him to adopt a tiiiio
serving policy.
Some weeks after this I received a letter, from him informin^T
me of his intention to attend a democratic meeting and to avoAV
his adhesion to our party and that I might rest assured that
had not come to the conclusion without a solemn resolution tha<-
in politics as it was his first so it would be his last change.
His gTeat talents soon made him conspicuous in our ranks and
as early as the year 1821 he was appointed Attorney General < > f
the State in the place of my successor in that office Thomas .
Oakley. The selection of so young a man and so recent a con -
vert from the federal side drew down considerable censure upon i
Council of Appointment from disappointed candidates and tlud r
friends and not a small portion of it was diverted against myst'. I f
on the suspicion, better founded than usual, that I had exerfct^tl
myself in his favor. I felt no uneasiness about this, as I was ci'i*
tain that it would soon satisfy all disinterested friends that it w%i^
the best selection that could have been made. This he accomplisUcM 1
in a short time and very thoroughly, and whilst the man, who Inn I
busied himself in an unavailing effort to get up a Legislative mfit'f
ing to denounce us for making a federal appointment, himself jointM I
the other side, young Talcott attained a solid popularity in out*
party and an eminent professional standing.
But these bright prospects were destined to be early blasttul I
habits of intemperance, which grew upon him Avith feax'fiil rapid i t v .
and filled the hearts of his friends with sorrow. The wane of 1 1 i .
professional fortunes, before his fall, was protracted by the respiM’i
which he inspired as a man and by the admiration which he
pellecl by his remarkable professional talents and acquiremt* ta
After the fell disease had made great progress his clients, unwill
to dispense with his services, often resorted to the expedient of
listing the good offices of some mutual friend to remain with liin.
and to keep him for a time from the intoxicating bowl. Many 1 ^ ^
stances of this were known to me of Avhich I will notice a few, TJiu
MU'h iraitiinp: (wIi'k’U lu^ pi'i'l’i'clly inuli'rslood and aidt'd as far as
his inlirni natuiT woidd allt)u) In^ made an ar^aunml. in tho Su-
pnaiK*" ("niirt (d' Ihn Unit(*d vSialt's \vhi(*h ridlod forth thn stron^’(»st
applausn of diud' Marshall and all his hndhrt'n, oavally
(‘Xi’itnd a nuinnrous and ainru'nci' and al(rari(‘d llu^ ait(‘n-
tit>n of thi^ ronniry to an almost. luipnaanUmiod extrnt..
lu i\ very imporiuuf (rial iM’tAvrnii tlu‘ State* of Ne‘\v ^'ork and
deihn riac’ol) Astor, in whit‘h Clianndlor Kent, Mr, We'hsUn* ninl my-
snlf wts’o (nuployod ns Connsnl on ht'half of llu' Stat(\ and Mr. Tnl-
('ott reprrsnuUHl It ns Attornry <h‘iu*rah it lasainu* mH*rssarv to have
a (’onsnitat ion in xvix'^inl to snvto’al dillionlt {{in'^tions of law whie'h
arose* in ilu* case*. Wo a^re*i'd to moot at iht* < 'hanredlor's oHici* in
( rrrt*n\vii-li stroe*t, and Mr. d'alontt was to eaill for mo on his way
down to tlu‘ appointtal n mlt \Vlu*n In^ aianvoil at. my room
I wa^: shoflo'd to liml that lu* wa . vt*ry nuu*h intoxicatod and iakiniif
his arm 1 hal him past Kn’tea* strtn*!, dcjwn whii'li lay onr dircu*t
ronto. Us fur us tlu* Ihiitory, and tluM’r walkod witli him to and fro
for a ion/ji: timo nnel luwtaid tlu* hour fixml for onr nu'i'tiu”*. \\dHm
in enu* of onr ttunis wo (ainu* to (ho ^’:at{* whioh was lu'arosi. llu\
( ’huut’olhir's ro .idennus ho lookod mi* in tho fare* and, e‘Xpr(*ss!n<j!: l>y
a rinili' his (amsriousnt’ss of my (^hjart, said 'd think it will do
now I" \Vt‘lld’ I n^plituh i f y<}U think so wo will ^^o P'
d'lu* of lu‘r jUfimt hamm luul luum waitin;L»: for ns and ht* at oruv pro-
tunnliHh as his olVa'inl siatioti nsphuH'ih to stato the* siwrral qnostions
in tlu*ir (»rtior, the* ttillirnh ios of iun^h, and tin* maiuu*r in which lio
thoiiidd it host let th*al with Ihonn Ih* <lid this in so fnll, ahh* and
\ i\iil a maunor, as to h*avo us m^UiniX to tlo hot to adopt his re't'om-
mcanlatious, Aft<*r ho h^ft us to ftdlil! an appoitittn(*n( , tho C'lmn-
oollfjr and Mix W(*hstt*r oxprt*sst‘d vory (*arnosfly llu*ir admiration
of (hr /ronoral nrrura(*y of his vi(‘ws, tin* slmplo powi‘r e^f his him-
/map*, and his oxtraordinary familiarity with fpiostions asalKsirusr!
and diirnatU un any in h’gal sehouco, d'ln*y rrfornul also with eli'li-
racy and (obvious sinconty to tludr rojtrrrf at- Inairin^j of tho un-
fav*ornl)lo improssions whioli t‘xis(<*d in ro^’arel to his habits, laii.
xm\ one <if tliem dn‘umod of ilu* narrow os{*apo (hoy had just, lunl
from an exhibition of
In the suit on the (rial of which h'mnu*(( f(‘1h whi(*h was, as I hart*
na*ntinn(*d, an uc’tion hrou/irhl by Hisho)) ln<.dls of Nova Scotia for
tlu‘ rocovt*ry of real (‘state* in (he* (*ity tvf Ni*w Veu*k, (*vem llu*n of
frroat value and now worth H(*vci‘al millions of dollars, d'ah’oft was
one* <d' his a ■ <)(’iat(* I'niuiscl. 'Flu* Hi-hop claiimHl as h(*ir at law of
the hiNt (>wm‘r, Mr. Ihuulnlh and tlu* dedemdnni rlainual nndor his
will, hy uhirh tin* whole* prope*rty was dt*viscd ns a chnrit}-' for tlu^
,«-nppejrl and (’one fort ejf ayed ami inlirm soaHU*n. Wo confestod this
'' MS. u. iK riu.
176
AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION.
devise as illegal and had, for reasons not necessary to be stated here,
satisfied ourselves that if 'we could obtain possession of the property
we would have no difficulty in maintaining it. During the early
stages of the trial, Talcott w’as in an unfit state to come into court,
and his associates under the lead of Emmett, desirous to avoid the
issue on the validity of the devise, had for several days managed
the defence in a way which shewed a determination to rely on their
possession as a sufficient bar to our claim. On the day before the
sad occurrence that filled us all with sorrow, Talcott walked into court,
looking fresh and well, and took his seat among his associates.
After some conversation between them Mr. Emmett asked the indul-
gence of the Court while they retired for consultation, and gave as a
reason that they had until that moment been deprived of the assist-
ance of Mr. Talcott by his indisposition. As they walked out I said
to Mr. Ogden, my associate, that I was quite sure that Talcott would
induce them to produce the will, but he thought that the opposite
policy had been too firmly settled. Tlie first thing after their return
was Mr. Emmett’s offering the will in evidence.
We were defeated and I had the curiosity immediately after the
trial was ended to ask the Chief Justice what he would have thouglit
of the cause if they had not introduced the will. He replied that,
assuming from the course pursued by the defendant’s counsel that
they did not mean to rely upon it, he had considered the cause in
that light, and had come to a very decided conclusion that they
could not prevent our recovery on the strength of their possession.
I have therefore ever thought that the chances Avere at least equal
that if Talcott had not come into court that large estate would
have gone in a different direction.
Within an hour after the fall of Mr. Emmett I took a long walk
witli Talcott and pressed upon his attention the AJ^acaucy in the pro-
fession now cei-tain to be created in iSTeAV York by Mr. Emmett’s
death, and the fact that he was the most able man in the state- to
fill it. After talldng some time I paused and added that there
was but one obstacle to his success, and that he must understand
what I alluded to. He said he did loell understand ! I exclaimed
with vehemence — -“is it not possible to remove that?” — to which
he answered characteristically, “ I can try ! ” He moved to the city
and endeavoured to break the hold of his insidious enemy, but in
vain. In the course of a few years he became an inmate of the
Hospital for tlie Insane where he died. Thus perished, alas! how
ingloriousl.y, a mind of the highest order; a counsellor of Avell earned
and brilliant distinction — ^the best black-letter lawyer I ever knew — ;
a man of the pui'est personal character and friend the most sin-
cere.
CHAPTER XVI.
Of the action of the Federal Government during the adminis-
tration of Mr. Monroe I have nothing farther to say, but I cannot
pass without noticing two visits I made to Virginia during his
last term, the incidents of which were interesting to me and the
relation of them may be somewhat so to others. It seems unavoid-
able in writings of this kind to make oneself to a great extent
the hero of the narrative, although the offensive intrusion of “ the
eternal I ” is as disagreeable to me as it can be to the reader. I
doubt not that when Mr. Jefferson feelingly exclaims in his auto-
biography, that he is tired of speaking of himself, he disclosed
the true reason why that work was not continued to its proper
termination: and I am continually tempted by the same induce-
ment to bring my story to an abrupt close.
I paid my first visit to Mount Vernon on the invitation of Judge
Bushrod Washington to spend Christmas Avith him, accompanied
by Gen. C. F. Mercer who had been the beai’er of the invitation.
A closer acquaintance confirmed my impressions of the purity of
the Judge’s character, and I was agreeably surprised by the vi-
vacity of his disposition. His mental qualifications were of a highly
respectable order, and united to the simplicity and franloiess of
his manners made his society peculiarly agreeable, and his cordial
hospitality assisted by the Herberts,^ Mrs. Washington’s nephews
who besides their other accomplishments sang remarkably well,
made ours a merry Christmas. Mrs. Washington had been a long
time bed-ridden, but the singing drew her to the head of the stair
case and it was delightful to see how much this circumstance ex-
cited the Judge’s sensibilities and added to the general hilarity.
In the course of the evening we availed ourselves of the fine weather
to take a stroll on the lawn, and leaving the young people to their
amusements he led the way to a coAwed walk in the adjoining
grove. I spoke of the extent to which my interest in the beautiful
scene about us was enhanced by the associations, to which he as-
sented and added that my observation reminded him. of an occasion
when he paced that walk as we were now doing, but Avitli a more
troubled heart,
“ I received ” said he, “ a letter from the General ” (his invari-
able synonjun for his uncle) “in the spring before his death re-
^.Tudgo Waaliington’s nopliowH, Bvislirocl W. and Noblet Ilerbcvt.
127488 “— VOL 2—20 12
177
178
AMERICAK HISTORICAL ASSOCIAXIOH.
questing Mr. Marshall, as he alwa3>'s called the future Chief Justice,
and myself to come to Mount Vernon. The court was sitting and
a compliance with his request of course inconveninent, but it never
occurred ° to either of us to postpone his business to our own. Our
brethren of the bar readily acquiesced in a postponement of our
causes, and we started, as was the fashion of the time, on horseback
and with no other wardrobe that what we carried on our persons.
1 mention the latter circumstance because of an accident to which
equestrians are peculiarly liable, having occurred to Mr. Marshall,
which frequently exposed to view the nether extremity of his shirt,
causing infinite amusement on the journey and much embarrassment
at Mount Vernon. On our arrival in the evening, the General took
me into the libraiy and informed me that he wished Mr. Marshall
and myself to offer for Congress at the approacliing election — Mr.
Marshall for Henrico district and myself for Westmoreland. As I
resided in Eichmond, altho’ my property lay in Westmoreland,
it might be safest, he said, to make a partial removal there to satisfy
the law, which could not give me much trouble.
“Having explained his wishes and briefly assigned his reasons
he desired me to break the matter to Mr. Marshall so that he could
have our answer at supper. I called Mr. Marshall out, and on this
walk we had our consultation. We had of course the strongest
possible desire to conform to the General’s wishes, but could not
bring our minds to any other conclusion than that to do so in this
instance would be destructive of our prospects in the pursuit we
preferred, and injurious to our families. Altho’ it was not so with
Marshall, I was myself deeply conscious of an unfitness for politi-
cal life. It was made my duty to state our objections to the Gen-
eral which I did very earnestly. He heard me through without
interruption, and then answered in his usual gxave and emphatic
way — ^“Bushrod, it must be clone,!” With this I returned to my
friend, still lingering in this grove in painful suspense. We re-
sumed our walk and finally agreed that me must comply with the
General’s wishes at all hazards. We returned to him ancl informed
him of our assent to his proposition. He expressed his satisfaction
in very kind terms and said that he was sensible of the inconvenience
to which a compliance with his views might subject us, but was
certain that he had asked nothing from us which he woulcl not have
done himself if our situations had been reversed. We left Mount
Vernon early in the morning and returned to Eichmond with feel-
ings of great anxiety.
“ I had entered upon the steps deemed advisable to qualify myself
to represent Westmoreland when I received a letter from the Secre-
Ijuyol Sirift* iiiiut'ijniiLf iu«‘ lh;it Pr>' hlrut h;ul appniiitml uir
i»iH* of Mti* .hj- { it-4‘ » nf tin* Siipiraur (*utiri ihr rtiitcil Stnt<\s, au‘l
I ufi . tnl I'V iht‘ :Ua‘‘ Iritrr that a rirniii \\\\ . tu 1 m* lit*lil
in in*tiri‘ia iti u hnri a tiiur tha! if wtinhl Ih* ihmt ary lo ;farl im
nirtlia(t*ly l«»r that -iata it 1 arri‘|»trrl tlu* I (<)(>k (la* nllit*ial
nalh nnauMliatriy, fhrrw luV rlf iutu thf : marh, j»r«(i’criU*(l (o
tir«»r»Ma atitl iiifuriunl t!it* t iinaTal from that, phua* of vJiat I lia»l
ilout* an*! uiy rru i»u < for tloia^v*: it."
(ummil Wa^iitipfon tlir«i io llu^ mouth <»f I)i‘i’t*miH*r in iha . ana*
M'ar,^ Mar hall nilmsl hu* tla* llrmiiai ill ua t-lrrlnl aial
muik* hl.N jtt"^t!y atlmirril .^}MM rh in t}t‘fom’t' of tlu* :ulmiui.'.(ratii»a for
it rtiur. r in ihr ra f* i‘f Jt luat halt Ih^hhin , uhit'h rai i*sl him a! niita*
\ii tlsr lir t ran!^ iu tliat Ihi-I}. !!»* v\a . uj»pniutti*tl St‘rrrtar\ t»f Siatt'
hy Mr, \*lam , nn t fa* i«*mto a! nf h\ ! ‘i«'L'*riuu', aial. ju J hi*fnr»*
thr riuf oi In tt-nu, t Ju tit’tmil f!u‘ 1 Statics,
1 h (riir»| tM thi* uaii at u 4* \Mt h tutfi'*- t Ituf 4\itua painful
Mart* n\ I hr .iaitn*'! !*» uhn’h n luo'-ril that < iru, W'a hiinrton ha«l
ht‘»‘U i*\pt» tal til hmanini’; oi^ni^nl hi thr lamllhi nf paiiv, at that
mtiiui'uf a. V Mlriit a ilirs hau* mrr h‘*i-u, a hannrr frniu uhirli,
in tta* ill ►'! uiahh’ pito iilmi’r ui (tMih h?‘ h it! hiTii uitlnlraun h\ an
t ai i\ aijilrthri'ui t* pl'rma! urr i [.-at !n \« » man t-nt »*rt a Inml a Muiulrr
.rn r i»f v,h.tt hrhmriai tiMu p‘» H tun, p' ‘ «* tal niMl'r r I f rumuia tu I
nr runlii iir mm r p-ahv tij :h a j n-i nual frriujy tti t hr puhlir
• MMitl than t h n. \\ a hun‘t*‘n. 1 h.** r io‘'h trait hah all Imm’h Irik
n •* h rxhthlf ri| JH f !u* imH! t' ih" I fir f I UUf' \ rai • tif 111 ailioiiii I lal mil,
a vwli a ill hi nh fa|mmf niirrnirut. Nttr a it pu thlr that any
rMrnt «tf prr iuml irntatiiMi rmih! lo rr hiim*' hi. mlnh tt» aiu-fion
pnhlir inru viirr . that ha hul no! I'oti riant i»ai ly ht'ln^r hr
htanhirlnl to th** aonnlia, Ur v. a lo*t a man, ami a . iifiji-rt
f<i .niiir rvirut !n tl.r p:r tun :ui'f iuliinotn* nf lo . natnr»% anh (hr
tafr of hi frrlioK ili\ri'r‘il’ati hv tfiulpa \Va .htnih‘»n at a parioh ami
limir? ihl atun t ati r tt man pirinn tilt hru afiiit UOlril rr I rahil , **\\\* :
U laai on Im appirhaml that h’.ul ha lui-h ltmn«*r hi i %v5 i* an«l I’tf
impo rh ra in va unultl Iniva lanm fiirthiT ami fai'tlirr O'lasrh until
In* ntinhl ha\a iHa-oinr innrt* ilaaply in\ohi*h in flu* aiao-v ••nnliri .
of party titan to Ih’ ila:4ri*il in ona uho at that mnnirnt [»*• ** **'1.
uifh rarr if any aVarptiou, tha uarm rilVrrlltm mh tiir jirrt uf (hr
wlmlr aoiintry.
Wlio ‘ an think v. iflirmt pain upon thr ann ri|uru«’r . nf hi. a, ifh
hra\^al from fli it in*\ iah!r pn itmu u ha’h maha thr aarah apprila
tiou of l*’athar ‘'f hi t ountr\ «* ar»*rntf alili- to all Iti: rounfi'\nn‘u
tiih tfir !r fh v^hfrh V, uuhi liaar j.il.^rh i}t»f i *11 1 V oUr Hi toTy hnf
{hi!. ran Nafrir l! rlf mJ Mitr nl t!r* lirohitr ! nhnii* ol holh. Whio
»n-.it'tuirta 1-i. umK
180
AMERICAIT HISTORICAL. ASSOCIATION.
that has been enabled to comprehend the violence of party spirit —
to know that the influences neither of religion nor of kindred nor of
any other earthly relation or situation have sufficient strength to
avert animosities or denunciations between partizan belligerents, can
regret that Washington’s fair fame was snatched from farther ex-
posure to that fiery ordeal, or can hesitate to acknowledge that the
goodness of Providence which had, for his own and his Country’s
welfare, directed all his actions through his most useful and brilliant
life, was scarcely less signally displayed in his death.
(MIAPTKU XVII.
hi llu* ('our-r (jf thf wintn tiF !s;*h t lir Pro ;iilt*iii i:il vUn*-
tioiu Xinian Ivlwurtls, uiu* df iht* StaKifi»r ui < ‘niijn'c* ; rttHii tlu*
stati^ tjf IlliiKUs, r.et in iuutiuu ilu* r.iuHui pj. pint, hv run ini>: In
Im* pul>li^lHHl in tlu' “\\'^^luu/.^^nn HrptiMit-an,*' n* r, mnal
artifh’s a| 4 :niMi wifli tlm i* initial , in a1u«‘1i Mr. (‘ruufnrtl was
vvitli tMilpahln ini. nianuprninitt nt thr pul»lin t’ninl . at <lir
fniMMit aiul rtnntito ptnnf . in tin* \\ f .in n t ’nmitrv. I laving tUu”.
'(iwii hi lir t.»htaiiM*il fruin M». thn apptnnina'nl (»f
Mini ti’r tu Mrvirt), and nftnr ihn nnmiimtinn hatl Innni mniinnni
iuul hi rtunnuN .inn dtdivfival him, hi‘ nit to tin' SpiaiUrr tif tin'
llnUM* (d Ivnpm Mnit at i VI* . t’npn^ ni ihn r arhrh-, v^ith a Irltn' a\n\\
in^r hiui:n*ir thn anthnr nf thnn and alhruunp that thr «’hai*‘n' • thry
fdniainrd ftiuld hr uppnii^al hy h*nal piiud’ H‘ flu* Ilnii n dirmiiMl
thnr in vt‘ t I'^at inn. At thi > tayn in thr jn nrtM’duii' and a hni l.
(inir l«rfnr«* tlu' t'ln n nf tin* «' Inn hr tnrtrd nil hi Mi inn, it.
’ uming frnm tin* nattin* td’ hi . I'harpr . and tin* ri'inntna*-. . nf tin*
plarr . from \Uurh tin* \v timnn^ tn hr nhtailirtt that till* mat
(rr miild niily Ih* artrd i>u in thr it*rr and inlrudiui^ that Mr,
('raufnnl’ . fnmdN in .hunt nf inviup thnr allmlnMi tn tin* rh-rtinn
.‘hntdii iind tlinr tuni* rupjar-.rtl fnr tlir Irw mniitha \\hi<’h yrt rr
muinrtl l«'ft»rr it . In lukr ptarr ui drfrndnip’ lum In'hirr a rnnunii
trr nf in\ i*d inn.
(Jct\t‘rnnr h‘ln\<l nf \dr|5inia, a pnluirul frirnd tjf Mr. (*i*uwfnrd,
nin\rd in.tautl\ fnr airU a rnminithr. and nin- w a . rlrrh-d hy Mr.
Spraki*r t ‘lay iluiu <*lf a liuil raudidali*} v.dli rijiial tlrlirary and
li i: f’l rl n Ui. It \\ li rnmpn rd nf ..r%rn nf thr nm f I’i* pni iddr nuun
hi'i nf tiin Hnll r. Mi: idn\. hdnyd, atu! Mr. Uatnlnlplu nf \drpitua,
and Mr. (Hvrii, nf Alahuma, frii*ud‘. tjf ( 'rau fnrd, Uanit-l \\h*h In*
niid finhn W. Tayln*. uppnrlriNnf Atlaiii*.. Pduard Idviup Inn, \\lin
wuN in fu\nr nf (irn, «fui‘k .nin and linn Ah* Arthur, »d’ tihm. a
frii*nd nf ( ‘lay.
'Flir puhlir mind was i.nratly hnt*krd hv thr rulhh*.. nr . nf tin*
atfark and v,a. jirrparrd fn hnd it uufniindrd a. wrll hrrati.sr nf Ihr
rnudurt ahd irputatiMU fd’ it autlmr a nf \{r. < ‘ruU furd'u r SrinplaVV
rhararliT. Tli*- ('ommittri' .«'iuiii*d imilarU imprr lut and mtnvd
upnii thr iininrdiati* HU*' tir'atinn and rnndnr{f*d it thrmi^dnuif in a
spirit and sslili a dt-rrr** nf impartiality that nd!s*rtrd thr hl^du’sf
* MS m j. ijti.
ihi
honor ripnii (hoiu o!\r aii*[ tin-^
iMuni -(‘IftltMl. Mr. (‘rjuiMi-.i u.t .it t!o' ra . ^ 1.^ a o-
\vhi(‘!i hah hnnnrlit him t«* h<--ith’ y r':.l h. |tr;\rh itu-.! ah
(•nlii*t*lv ot' t!b‘ U r “f hi ' r'\»‘ ilurnu^ t '.** /-h»h- ir^r finitaai.
friruth- \vt*n* of nuir i* nanlv fu nualrr au) i i taii^' iurnu i
with till* |)ro|»rirt it' nf thrir |jm itiMi. , hJ t!.*' la!- a oa t.ar v, ;
llir haiuh: of hi (‘hirf ('hu'k» A hui \ H rl.nr , v. h*, hi rhario*,]
(llH it‘S with fiht'lit y ami run iimmafr alnhi;. . 1 hr I tr h-iirr, u h*oh
alum 1 alhuirthtu" hv Ihrl.iu , hi'rv. fnitli haa! a^h ,. j|
applaU'f from fritunl anh fm'.. Win! i it hH u-» uiifovr nf fat
armiiutuil unafl-»*tuh*f i t'u if hui m»f r»*u!.uu i auh** 1 ti h rtuiu
i![HUi (!u‘ <’{Uihuo{ uf Mr. ('rauhaiiV arru fa*, a *aliirh I
\ t*ry hosirou,'. it htiuhl |h* v uuh ft» v-hu’li 1 !*n»h Mtur |»a!i
in'rofita’Ii* tuii’ fritunl wwv Halurally r\rii[,-h aa<! ju fK n
iianf .
hhir ( *oiumit tin* immrhiafrl v ht' |<afrh,*.i ih,« :t1 .S
aflrr Ivhvarh', \^h»» |«ia .urtf hou litfrrr. l^^a.hirh u,.U- mi hi
to Mt*\irO. I’'a|\\Ul^l huh it^ff f h** }»I*irrU!inU ».f tfi»‘ r I. r in
hauh" tif hi' tJii in !au, Mr. t thru a lurmhrr mC f ■ ,
luhhin^ in hi% hanh thr \otu of llliuo: . ui.mo flit- Ihr ihriatial >
t ion in (la* Uou ♦' uht‘rt* it ua a.hia< ! r«aJ ra, if v.niilh hat
hi* ilrrihrtl, auh with tla* fuaiinm auh ini -a sqm!' a !*.- uha-h >
aatrri -ml all IiIn aiiina in thr r hr mahault jh.i.*rh
liaitra on thal thmim tuurr; huf iu flu h** i h:
h'la* ( ’tmiinii I at* at ihinl thnn th\ r of t!.r utfri f.il -A % fh.^ . h.
hrfon* I’alu.'inr rrtutai aiah to jUrtnu hnu fr^a « uipuinr
('rau ffirh in tla* |uihlir r tiiuafioii at .»mifjral a p> i :.oh, mahr
IHihli In-fl a n'porth lu f.arf. r .uri at inr hi. . rnhurf from
.slii»'h{r f im| M'arliinrnt . 1 hr\ hoUru'r th^^JU^'hf it luopfa' fo*
Mhwai'h;. an opporf unit v fo hr liiairh anh to tliaf omi ailjoit
to mart .apaui aftm tiir rjo r of fla* aui. t*. !*. a h*' aa r\a,ni
hut jU’titfh laulnun to rhaiuu* thr i harat f’*r of fla- ii*port \\
uai*> roallirmt‘h. Ih- iv innrh li! apponUna i,f auh inh inti
iu^horiou . rrt irrmrnt.
Our frimal-: Uhii^*' ha- iron , that { hi.rihi ifUirua a? \\\i Ion
until tin* C'onunittrn frav 4auhlrh, ! pmt fl.i* mrfi oahmr tour .
thi' ahfouriiintnit. uf (*tUu 5 n* in imhun*^ a \ i if 1 hah lonj^
taniphilt*h (o Mr. .h*th‘r:on» urrojapanirh In to«t, ,Mahl«»n Ih
^on. Altho uili'ini'*' at thr tunr froiji fhf* pn* ui#' r*f pt-ruiiiai i
Imrrau nimt ', hrnn«hit upon him hy rr pon ihhifSr . innu rrh fr
oM jrirml, Mr. .Irll.-r on i-rrritrh m \ufh uniirrrf,.h rorhialit\.
rsrrtrh him »h( Oirrrtully auh hrartiiv t‘* la ho our 1 1 ’.it a,
aiiir. Ih* hah Knoi*. u ami hiuhl^. r imorh (hr^. I >irlirrf on ’
Hivi^vit I.r I..u,}anc«.- lU^ U-a^o. r Urt-. U:” O esj . \.a. Nm. U*
l > 1. J U I’J l.'N .
lu‘. r<‘si(It‘.(l at. Phi hult'lpliia during' (lu» niosl stonny juM^iod of iho
administ i*ai ion ol' rh)hn Athuns, and hn ridVriMul in a lively l)iit, tol-
erant. spirit' to many s(‘rnes of thosc^ stirrini;; iiines, in not a. f(‘\v of
which tiu' (Jovinaior had hiinscdl’ becMi an actor,- siicli as his ac-
conipanyin*^’ Hr. ('oo|)(‘r (of whom I have spoUinO aiau in arm to
prison upon Ids conviidion under (lu‘. sedition law, altho’ at. the lime
l\(‘Corder of tIu* t^ity, and to various (‘xcitina; articles which liad
appiaircal in tlu‘ Akvojui, newspa[>t*i% supposed to have l)(H‘n written
by (iov. l)ick<‘rson. The c-rat ithaii ion of the lattei* in lindini>’ the
most. intcr(‘s( in*;' (‘vtmts of his early political life Unis hrciu/ji^iit. si(‘p
by step under a sort of commendatory ri'vicMV was unconcealeil and
j)leasant to witiu*ss. On tlu' n(‘xt and snhs{‘(|uent days, leaving th(‘
(tovm'imi’ to Ik* i*ntcrtjiim*d by otir host.V ‘>;rand-( I ai lighter, an ac-
(‘omplisluul and very a^‘re(iable younfj^ lady, now Mi’s. Poolideed
of Poston, (whose fut.nrc* husband paid his lirst \'isii. to lu'.i* whil(‘,
W(‘ were* at Monti<*ello) wi* (*mpIoyed onr mt)rniii/^s in drives ahoiit
the ui*i<i;hl)ourhood, durin«jf whi(‘h it may widl h(*. iina;u»’iiuul witli
Innv miieh satisfaction I listt‘iH‘d to Mr. flidlerscnds eonv(*rsal ion.
Ilis imposin/x appearanri*. as h(‘ .sat uncovm’iMl n(*.v(‘r w(‘arin^ his
Init except when lu*. ltd’t. the (*.nrriap» and oftc'n not then and (h(>>
('urnesl and impressivt* mam\er in whii’h he spoke of mi'.n and
(hin^xs, an\vet as fresh in my r(‘eollect ion as if (law wt're (*xpt'ri(*nci‘s
of y(‘st(‘rtlay. 1 have* ofti*!! rc'proarlual myself for havin/i.* omiitiMl
t.o main* numioranda. of his orig’inal and always forcihh* olKsi'rs’a-
tions ami nevm* moi’e than at tin* [iri'scml. moini‘n(. npp<‘r!nt)st
in my mind is tlu^ rt*eolIi*e.tion of his t'xempliou from the sli^liti'st
remains of ]>arly or personal [»r(*jndice ai»'ninsj (lio.se Irom whom
h(’ liad diHVn‘d dnrin/X tin*, stoiany p(‘riod of his puhlic* IMn. ''rimsc*.
who like mys(‘lf had an oppm’t unity to wiliu'ss Ins riunarkahh' free-
dom from tlu* common r(‘proaeh of political dil^e^‘n^‘l^s woidd limi
it. diirK'ull to douht. (lie sincerit.y of tlu* lilu'ral views lu*. (‘Xpn^sse.d
in hi:: Inaugural Addrc’ss in ri'f^aixl t.o pariii's and partisan <*on™
l(‘sUs.
'I'he hank of tin* Unilcal Stai(‘s was at tliis tinu* in the. ph*nitml(‘
of its ])()\ver, ami Mr. rh'irer.son was miK'h disturlu'd l)y tlu* sane
tions which its pr(‘((*nt ions rtH‘t‘iv(*(| from tlu*. <K*risions of the Su-
prenu* ( ourt, imdt‘r the h‘ad of Chief »histiee. Marshall, which lie
r(‘|ii:ard(*d as t(‘ndinn* tt> tin* subversion of tlu*. i*i*pul)lican prineiples
of the (JovernmenI . Ib* I'Xpressed his b(*!i(*f that- tlu* lib* ((‘iiuri*.
of llit‘ii’ oilii’cs was calculati'd to turn the minds of tlu* »fndn-(‘s in
that dir{*<'liom ami (hat. tlu*. attention of our young men e<mld not
be more, useridly I'lnployetl than in eonsi<lering (he mo.st e(re(*(ual
])roteetion against tin* evils which thn*atem‘d the ('ountry from
» MIkk niU'U Wayl(*H UiuuUilph, Uito Mva. JoaerU Coolldgo.
184
AMERIGAK HISTORICAL ASSOCIATIOII.
that source. He spoke of the power of Impeachment with great
severity not only as a mockery in itself, but as having exercised an
influence in preventing a resort to a more thorough remedy, wliich
he thought was only to be found in a change in the tenure of the
judicial office. Annual appointments, as in the New England states,
were, he thought, the best, but he would be content with four or
even six years, and trust to experience for future reductions. Fresh
from the Bar, and to some extent at least under the influence of
professional prejudices, I remember to have thought his views ex-
tremel}^ radical, but I have lived to subscribe to their general cor-
rectness.
In a speech in the Senate delivered years ago^ I referred to the
Banlc of the United States as having been the great pioneer of con-
stitutional encroachments, and our subsequent experience has con-
firmed the justice of the remark. It is worthy of notice that since
that Institution has happily ceased to exist we have not only been
exempted from any such overwhelming pecmliary convulsion as
those caused by it, but the Supreme Court has occupied itself with
its legitimate duties — ^the administration of justice between man and
man — without being, as formerly, constantly assailed by applica-
tions for latitudinarian constructions of the constitution in support
of enormous corj)orate pretensions. We might, perhaps, have ex-
pected that in such a calm even Mr. Jefferson’s alarm, if he had lived
to see it, would at least in some degree have subsided; but this
state of things can only be expected to last until a similar or equally
strong interest is brought under discussion of a character to excite
the whole country and to enlist the sympathies of a majority of the
Court and requiring the intervention of that high tribunal to sus-
tain its unconstitutional assumptions by unauthorized and unre-
strained construction. Whether the institution of domestic slavery is
destined to be such an interest remains to be seen. The experi-
ence of ages ]iroves that with exceptions too few to impair the rule,
men can not be held ta the performance® of delegated political trust
without a continued and practical responsibility to those for whose
benefit it is conferred. The theory of the independence of the Sov-
ereign in the case of the Judges in England, which we have copied,
entirely fails when applied to us. Therej they are rendered inde-
pendent of the Crown to secure their fidelity to the public against
the influence of the power to which they owe their appointment
here their life-tenure renders them independent of the People for
whose service they are appointed. Irresponsible power of itself ex-
^ “ Substance of Mr. Van Buren’s observations in tbe Senate ” [Feb. 12-13, 1828] a
pamphlet of IG pp. in which two speeches are welded into one, is in. the Van Bureu
Papers. Of. Congressional Debates, iv. 1 : 313, 338.
" Ms. II, p. 65.
xoo
cites clistriist, uiul sooner or later ca.uses, on the part of its possessor,
ail iiupalienee of pojnilar control and, in the sexpicl, a desire to conn-
terael popular will. "Fho onl.v eireotual and safe remedy will 'be to
amiMid (he eoiistitui ion so as to make tlie olllei^ elective, and thus
(‘oniia^l llu‘ eliidges, like (lie incuinbents o(- (he Executive and Tx‘^ms~
la(i\e depar(iueii(s, to come hid'ori' the people at stati‘Al and reason-
able jieriods for a rimewal of their commissions.
The subjia-t. of Internal Improvcmienis by (he General Government
was anoth(U‘ matter wliich ot'cupieil Mr. Jidrevsou’s attention and
caused him, much (‘oiKHum. lie spoke of il, with some feelino*^ as a
nH)d{‘. of was(-ino» llu'. public revenues, willunit the proliability of
a(hM{ua((‘. n'turiis, jiud involvino; violations of the eoustiiaition injuri-
ous to (111* in((‘ri*sts b- prof(‘ssed to advance, and expressed his apiiro-
ludion of th(' (*oiirse. I was pui’suin^- in regard to the system in llatter-
in<»' terms.
{ derived (he hi^hc^st gratification from obsondng that his devo-
tion (o tile public*, inbuvst, tlio’ an (xdogenarian and ojipressed by
privat(‘ griefs, was as ardent as it bad Ihh'U in his palmiest days.
St.anding uixm (be \ory brink of the grave, and forever excluded
from any in(m’(\^t in (b{\ managemimt of public (‘oncmais that was
n<>(< common to all bis fi'llow eitizcms, hc^ seemed, never to tire in liis
rc'.vimv of tin' past, and in explanadons of tlu", grounds of his appve-
Inmsions for (lie fulnris both obviously for my henelit. Tn J’olation
t,o bimsidf he was vwy ri'servial 'taking only the slightest allowable
notice of his agimcy in the. t ransiml ions of whiih he spoke. ITa])])en-
iiig to iio(i<’(*. a \‘olum(‘. in his lilu’ar'y lalxdled <‘.ur(]y and emphatic-
ally Liimns 1 opeiu'd it and fomid its (‘ontents to consist m-
iiivly of artielcss abusive of himself, ent o-ut of the Newspapm-s; and
shewing i(. to him Ihh laughed heartily over the hroch\m\ and said
Unit it had hiarn his gooil fori.nne thro’ life to be, in a,n nmisual
d{‘grcM‘, in<iilfer{‘nl (o ilie gi’ounill(\ss attacks to which juililic men
wm-i’ (’\poM‘d. My in<(uii*ies in rt‘gard to individuals wlio had been
promi)H‘nt ae(oj*s on tin*, polit-ical stage in his day, were naturally
as frecpumt us was consistent, with propriety, and his replies were
prompt and made with apparent sincerity and ahsolule, fairness. Of
Gen. Washington and of Ids memoi'y he invariable spoke with midis-
guisial regard and n‘ven‘niH‘.. Tlu*. vil^ws he look of his politie.al
cluirai’im* and (‘arei^r art» fully stated in his letter to me of the , to
wliii'li I shall lia.\'(* occasion jU’cseutl^'’ lo r{*f(*r. I'hc: residence so u<*ar
(o (‘ueb ()( li(*r of ( w o such m(*n, and lb(‘<*bange whi(*b had talnm ])lac*i’;
in lln'ir j)nli(i(‘a| relal-ions pivsi*nt(‘d an irrc'sistible o|)j)()i*tuni(y to
misi*bie\'oiis busy i)odic*s, and noeirort of theirs or of political rivalry
or pri\ali*. (*iimi(y was omitted (o imprivss Gen. Wasliingt.on with a
l)(‘lief of Mr. rlcUVrsoiTs ill will (.owards him. In speaking to me, in
the letUu* I inivc* mentioned, <>f the fei'tings of the old republicans,
himself inclitcleci, towards Gen. Washington, he uses this eloqiK
and, on its face, truthful language :
He lived too short a time after and too much withdrawn from inforinat
to correct the views into which he had been deluded, and the continued assi
ities of the party drew him into tlie vortex of their intemperate career, s
arated him still further from his real friends, and excited him to actions i
expressions of dissatisfaction which j?rieved them but could not loosen tl:
affection from him. They would not suffer the temporary aberration
wei^h ag-ainst the immeasureable merits of his life, and. altho’ they tunib
his seducers from tlieir places they i)reserved his memory embalmed in tt
hearts with undiminished love and devotion, and there it forever will rem
embalmed, in entire oblivion of every temporary thing which might cloud
glories of his splendid life,^
If anything could be required to establish the truth of this sta
ment in regard to Mr. Jefferson himself it would be sufficient
refer to the fact that all the great statesmen, his contemporaries, lui
gone hence, and that their papers have been ransacked and pi
lishecl without reserve, as well as his own, by friends and fc
and that not a fragment has been found to cast a doubt upon it.
Observing that in describing party movements he almost alwi
said ‘‘ The republicans ” pursued this course, and “Hamilton ” that
not naming the federalists as a party, except by the designation
a sole representative, I brought this peculiarity to his attention. ]
said it Avas a habit that he had fallen into at an early period fr(
1‘cgarding almost eveiy party demonstration during the admin
trations i^receding his own, as coming directly or indirectly fr(
Hamilton. He spoke of him frequently and always without p:
judice or ill will, regarding him as a man of genei'ous feelings a
sincere in his political opinions. In answer to my question whetl:
Hamilton participated in some step that he condemned, he replied
“No! He was above such things!” His political principles IV.
Jefferson condemned without reserve, save only their sincerity, i
garding them in their tendency and effects as more anti-republic
than those of any of his contemporaries.
Mr. Jefferson’s account of the humble position from which Pi
rick Henry raised himself to eminence and the limited means
education and study with which he had been able to make a ne\
to be fox'gotten impression upon the age in which he lived, int(
ested me exceedingly. He described his agency in facilitating IV
Henry’s admission to the Bar, which was, in substance, that ha
pening to be in the vicinity of the residence of Mr. Henry w
was then a clerk in a small country store, the latter called up
him and asked him to use his influence with Mr. Wythe and ]V
signed draft of this letter, dated June 29, 1824, by Jefferson, is in the Jeffers
Papers, Library of Congress. Ser. 1, v. 14, 298.
AU ruiHUUliAru 1 ui' VAN lilTUKiN.
Pcntlletoii to induce tliem to unite with him in ^-iving a certificate
of (|unlifi(‘ati()n which was ne(*ess:n\y to enable Mr. Henry to })ro-
cure a ruauise to pra(dh‘e law. In reply to Mr. fleirerson’s enquiry
in n‘gard to the extent of his le< 2 ;al studies, IJeiiry acknowledged
I hat it was l)ut very rt'cently ihal, he liad resolved to ask admission
lo i!u‘. Bar, and that he laid not as yet opened a law hook, but
olVered io pledge his honor that he would not practice until he
had pursued (lie proper course of study. It was upon that assur-
au<‘e that they consented to give him a cm’lilictde, and Mr. deliersou
added that such was IlenryV aversion to reading (hat he did not
believe (hat h(‘ liad ever read the whole of any book! Taking up
a voluuH' of Blair's lect ures, one day at Monticello, and glancing over
a j)agi‘ or (wo, Ihuiry (‘XclainuMl '^Mhis is a vciry sensible book and
if you will haul \l lo im‘ I ihiulv I will read it..” On his retiii’ning
it. months afterwards Mr. rfelferson, as a matter of c.maosity, asked
him whether he had read it through, and he acknowledged that he
had not-. In Mr. didlersoirs Autobiography, pu])Ii.s]i(ul l>;y (’'ongress,
will l)(‘. found a stnitMiumt, of similar import. 'Wd such was the
strength and aeuttmess of Ids intellect.uul powers and so impressive
and (dlicitmt liis native (‘lo(|mmc(‘, that of all tlu'. aide mmi of whom
\'irginia then boasted tluu’e was not. oiu'. whose sp(‘.(‘ches prodiKuul
as great, ell'erl. as did those of Patrick Henry. Mr. tlellerson did
full jiisiif'c- to Ills sm-viccs in t.bi‘ Bi'gislal iiri^ during (be ltev(dii-
t ionary War, and in the Stall'. (Convention lor the adojition of the
h(‘deral ( ’’onst itul ion, and'* descril)ed to me the singular edec'ts
produ(‘(*d by soiih' of his a.(l<lr(*sses to jurii's. When tlie eminent
position he attained as an orator as well at (he Bar as in the i)\ihlic
(’.oimcils is eonsideiM'd in conneetion with (lie eiremnstaiices under
which he was admitted to jiratdhjc (as to tiie main facts in regard
to which I am certain of having staled them correctly) it presents a
most remarlcable illnstratiou of tlie power of genius unaided by
cdu('ai ion.
Oiii* host, pressed us with much earnestness to reimiin a few days
longer, whtm wi‘. proposed to leave, and in reply to my e.xc.use. for
returning to Washington, the desire to be in sc'ason for the nu't^.ting
of (he A. B. ('oinmiltee, he said (.hat liis t‘Xpei’it‘uc(‘. justitied him
in assuring im*. (hut a. few days would mal<(‘ no ditference in t.liat
respect, as 1 found to be true enough. Wlitm parting from him
lu» said lu‘ wouhl lain* the liherly of an old man to give us sonie
advici‘ upon (hi* subji'cl. id' be.ing in a iiuriy. Tlie first, (ifty yi‘ars
of his life liad heen harassed by the haliit. of thinking it, indispensa-
ble that tblng.s should be. done a.l a. certain time and engagements
ki'iit to (he moment.; luit upon summing up results ho had found
MS. II, r, 70.
that his pmu'tuulil y laul prn\rd u and tliat iu
(Imusaiid iiisiain’i*s wtaih! hu\r ir'Uir on ratlin- In-ttiT il’
laid liimM'lf uinn* latiuidr, and ihat ui* r«|uriil ly ha 1
lulciptrd a dilhaaad, uiul as tha raNult li;ul .ati iiad him, a wi
laila. Ilopinix ^hu( \\a’ \V(»uhi dtj lilu^wL'a lu^ hiil iir< an alh^atiom
farowi'll. In (inv. lhalu‘rsnn ha had mat an tdd ti iand s\ Imm
had [innaal in tlu‘ (iint‘S whii-li waTi* thi‘u and l«mn a ittaa\ anL i
inaptly aalh^l tlu‘ Ihdan ‘d’ TiaTtir/' amt uhnm ha hatl nn{ i
pacUal to : aa aa’aiu, amt hu* nia ha manlfa tad a ra^nird ulnrh
uii/j;h( rsih'ly laimirui' inh> an upprtihatiun nf my pnhHa atmr
and 1 atmld uni Tail in ha hij.!;hly ^i:ratdiad {>y uah an a surai
frnin nna w hnsi* aharaatin’, atindnat ami prinaipia innnail my /m
hhdl of thnrnti*xh patrinli in and aaaojupli htsl tata man lup.
1 liatl spukan id’ a ptditinul pam(ddat h} d nuntli^ Ihakarii
whii'h, a,-, appiairtnl hy tla* naw. papi‘r, , had ju t madr it appia
anaa and Mr. didJarMui raipu* ttai nu* fij ajiii him a rupy widal
did. A I’au waak - arti'ruariL I iiM'tn\ai! tha lattar frnm him
whiah rtd’i‘ram‘i* hail alrtaiily l«aan inuiia, and uhiah aaaumpan
lli(*sa imnmdr’. I am tliat m* intalli^nmt numl aun pnni i*
witlmnt h{*in^’ ilai'ply iali*ri‘Nti*d l<y it arapldr \ir\\ id' idraii
stam’i* . and avimt . ni«( innaa'ally imdar nnul and iu uhiaU m» Ann
iaan (‘ilir.aii aan fail tn fakt* tin* di‘«*[H‘ t iutarr. t.
I vi.dlad tin' ahlar Ailana., at (Jninay, thi* na\f imunar aftai
war; at Mimliatdiin ami ! i\n nnt ri’auUaat a\ar 1*^ Inua mhui a nu
.‘trikinti: and \i'm’rahh* iinnn* fiian ha appaart-d at that ilay. d'
lraaa‘- of advamanl apa wan* nmra pt-raaptihla in liim than in ^
tlaUVr.snnH hn( tlid ut»t ap[»i‘ar tii alh*at him iUthar in miml tir hta
hi'yamd tha mia\ tiitlahh* inlirmilit* td (hr iiraiiua tif lita. Hi» ,
t'ai\iMl nii' kindlx, and «huin^»‘ lha .-Uml parmd that I fall mvM
jn titii’d in nataipyin^ hi attimfinii anmar <-d udh nnUnriu pij
‘vn t\ and a cd’ animat itm and ih*ai anu ^^ddum wdna -ad
Ml nid a man.
ddia Ad am as, inahii!in».!: that puhlii’ pirit^d patrint Sami
AtlaniM wt‘ri‘ an axl ranrdimiry run* and matla iudalihla impn-s/m
nn tha ^ina^■« in w'hiah thay li\ad. .luhu Adam wa -. m tha iMtin
turn td ids -sUaaas^.fuI ri\ah tha mn t allaa(i\a rilatur nf tha Ih'VnI
tinn a pod of daut^ar wall u. of honor, a wu-. Imwn hv tin* a
ai'pfitm t)t hi ; inumn nmon^ othai’s from tha utlar nf pardon whi
tin' (’rown, from tina* to tima, tamlarad tu har rahtdli<m . stihjaa
1 ninal hardly ay that Ids oraatm* . wa . not udlmuf allo\, h
happily for In., aountrv tha ihdVi*! . nf hi , ahuraott^r did not alh
hi * u alnllna ■ until :itt<‘r Iut indi*pandona»' hail hiam a iahlislif'
• li.-u* '-j {ii» I '..n < I- • I «-ow. 1} ftjr itkui .r44i hn- 1*0 lit. 'la i.f i
t iiiO-a > iijtnl ih»* tufr U i»4 1 8unnn,:h;i}si. i * ** ‘ r, 'i a4«»ali) nirKrrl:
tHftli'in, m.rni .V in in tin- laajiir} nf {
AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF MARTUST VAN BUREN.
189
Wliatever these defects may have been, one thing was at all times
clear, as Dr. Franklin, in a brief sketch of his character (quoted be-
low and not designed, as a whole, to be particularly complimentary)
said, ‘^he was always honest,” and so were Samuel and John Quincy
Adams. Indeed such, to their honor be it said, has, with very rare
excej^tions, been the character of our high public functionaries at all
periods. In the times of Jolm Adams the political atmosj)herB had
been so thoroughly purified by the Eevolutionary fires that no man,
whatever his talent or his services, who was wanting in that the
first qualification for public trusts could have been sustained for
a day, Arnold was corrup)ted by the enemy, and scorn will never
cease to designate, with hei* immoving finger, his infamy. Edmund
Randolph who possessed the confidence of Washington and Jeffer-
son, and was aiix^ointed by the former Secretary of State when the
latter resigned, ranking among the highest in personal position and
in talent, was unhappily exposed to susjpicion as to his official integ-
rity, and he fell at once to rise no more. An atteinj)! was made to
attach susj)icion to the acts of Alexander Hamilton as Secretary of
the Treasury — as I have heretofore described. We have seen at
what a sacrifice he vindicated the purity of his official conduct, and
manifested his sense of the indispensable necessity of such a vindi-
cation whenever it should be questioned.
It is always hazardous for one whose judgments are deductions
from what he reads to pass upon the personal characters of public
men, yet it is the motive and sincerity with which this is done
which makes it excusable or otherwise. My own imf)ression has
always been that Mr. Adams’s subsequent failure in public life
was, in no considerable degree, owing to an overweening self esteem
and consequent im]patience under honors conferred on his cotem-
jDoraries. Frequent exhibitions of this feeling, with — not too high,
certainly — ^but perhajis too exclusive an appreciation of his own
services, were, I cannot but think, among the causes of his un-
]:>opularity. It was this, doubtless, which gave a feverish character
to his relations with Dr. Franklin, during their residence in Europe.
The same causes produced wider and still more injurious effects
on his return to the United States. The attention of public men,
engi-ossed during the War by the enemy, was diverted by the peace
and more closely directed towards eacli other, and anticipated
rivalries doubtless added keenness to those examinations. The
X:)revious friendly relations'^ between himself and Mr. Jefferson were,
not imxorobably, then Aveakened and suspended : with tiamilton, Avho
was himself not deficient in the same quality, he was soon in oxoen
hostility: he looked down upon Hancock, and an impression was
made upon the minds of many that he yielded, with less comxfiacenc*y
ihan tho oihi'r Iriulin^ nu‘ti In - d:iy, to tin* lunvi^r^ui pruion*
ac<*(>nl(Ml (o Wushiiiolon. wrll kuu^^ll riivtunM;ui<v , iu r
iiociioii willi Ills nftor t'Xprr-'r'-tMl uiliuiral ion ut t!u‘ lMu‘lish sy-t
always iui>‘ its I’orrupliiUi ■, irava ri-t' to tla* iinpntal inn,
(lonhUnlly unjust, tliat his ri“.i>laiit’n to tin* ( rnwn «li»l nut ai
So much from opposition to Monarchy in tin* ah- 1 rata as to a uati
prt‘ I'crmu’c for (he House of Hraintret* cner that oi Uaunver,
1’hc election at which he wasi^lui eii Pn* iili-nt pa c*i nlV uiih
anythina* liki* a partizau t'anvass. Tlh* cods td iuturt* partv
^'isi^»us had himaui (o sprtait ai (he eat ol t !n\ luauntsU . hiu in
(’ountrv at- lai'^'c th<‘se division.-* were yi*t un I'cn and unhdt,
(‘lection was suthaHMl to drift to it . condu ii»n uitlmnt crioim
forts to ('oiitrol its direi'tion. In Mr. Maili'ou’.s con** pnnde
may he (ouml a k*ttiU‘ from Mr. Jidlerson, aut hori/iiu*;’ Mr. Ma
son to anUoUlU’c ti> the House <il Uepreseututives it tile- \o(c pro'
to he iMjuah a:', it lasarls turned out to \n\ a the eaian- t desire
till* writer that Mr. A<lanis mi‘!;ht he pnderred.- Mr. Ailam \
a mail <d' .■•Iron*’- fccliiurs and tho r to which I hau* partit’ula
alludiHl had lord noia* of their lorct* hy hi < loujf pr<‘\iou:. oi-cupat
of an olliei* without patronayc or power. Mr. detfer nn tell . u il
considtat ious hetwaaai thtuii oii puldii- allair . tho' ut lir. t invit
W‘ere in tlie end id tidioit.-Jv avoided, and we know that lii . relutii
with W in liiuntim wen‘ not free trom euiharra tnent. d he lat
had, as ( 'onimaiider in (ddt*f of the I*r<»vi ioiuil Aruiv, recniuuicm
for Major (icncrali Haiuilttm, Pnickney ami KutJ\; Mr. Ada
inad(‘ the appoitu uients, iait wu. unlm-ed, it wu^ Uf»po.ed hy
pri\judice.-. a/caiu- t Hamilton, to rc^msi* tht* onler hy phicin^^' Ki
first ami Hamihon, la t. W'a hinoton, as mirrht have been anti
paled, took except idti to thi^ arraupuueut of (tie name, and
td-ted Upon the tiftler he h-.id propn ed, w hl**h wa- itnulh .ulopt
I need not • a V that : ueh a tran.suetiou eould not pa . to its et
.summation without oll'endin/a' tin* feelintis td' hoih.
()f Mr, .\dam ' ti]»port td' t!u* Alien and Sedition law I hi
ct^ewhiu'e - pokeii, The e law . Were the !»’rd(tmate friul of pr
eipl i‘s which Ilniiiillon had irntilhal into (he fetlru'al partv vet t
hirp-st ^hare of piildie odium thi'V ivxeited ftdl upon tin’ head
Adams. Hivi:doUs uro-t' in tliat partv ami Hamilton t*iok ^^nmi
covert at iir.st Imt llnidly avowed ai^aimU lii * reideetiMn. i■^avrt
in sjiirit amt hold in mt>vement the Pre idmit rrimived fr<»m t
otliee of Secretary of Stati* tluit reniai'kahle man 'Timoihv Piekeri
who luni heeti ap)»ojnleiI hy Wkashinu^fom hut whom hr su- jicetial
' \u'. n. V..
' i tr.- r/, j f'as (li o>»- Mutii Mjj t , i,aa’iu> <4 i i- , n i-; iii j-'mj
VVitrl.-; Ml ,n an; Mil. I N V. mnli, V N, CM
Ikmu^ i(U) much inlliuuuHHl hy Ilamillon, aiul threw himself upon
the country for .siip}>ort.
Public services have their stipulated rewards, and all boyond,
the IVople pr'oudly regard as rt‘sei*vc‘d for free-will offerings.
Nothing is so likel}^ to olfend and repel their <‘onIidi‘.uce as aj)peals
foi* their su[)i)ort. whith wear tlu* appi‘aranc(' of claims of right on
the part of the api)ru’iml.. Mr, Adams found it ilillieult, consti-
tuted as lie was, to uialuv any to which his (uuaui(‘s c.ould not cause
that ohje.(tion to 1 h^ plausibly set ii|). Ih* was conscafUentJy never
po|)ular sav(‘. during tlu\ war of tin* lici’olutioii, wluai his a|)pciils
to the People were for their own intei'csts and (hdence, and under
th(‘. weight of this personal and adininisti’ational unpopularity,
whi(‘h his Ivevolut ionaiy scu’viia's could not surmount, he not only
lell hinisidf hut drew down upon his party imperishable odium.
In a. letter from Hr. thMiiklin to Ilohert II. Livingston, the Sec-
j’otary of h'ori'ign Alfaii’s to the. (biigres.s, dahal Passy 22d. duly,
he alludc^s U> Mr. Adams as follows:
‘I* * ^ II Is Uu*rt*ror(‘ I wrU(‘ this, to ]ui( you on your ^atarU (b(*ll(‘vlii} 2 :
!! Jay iluty, thoUM’U I know tlml I linznrU by U a mortal <Munlly) aiul lo cau-
lion you rospi^clhir (ho insinunllons of tills Kimt liaimii ntxalnst (bis Ikutrl, nutl
(ho Instmu’i's b(‘ supposi's (»r (liolr ili will to us, wlUoh 1 laUt' (n lu‘ ns imat^Iimry
;is 1 luiow bis ruiirh’s («> bo that (•<uuit do \'i*rj,'('nnos and inystir nro I'on-
ilmmlly plottbir: araitri blui, and onipliiylujjc I ho luwvs writor.s of lOuropi* to
dcpr(‘(ialo Ids liuirmior iVc. Uui as S!iakos]ionri‘ says, “ ihith's Unlit ns
air’* 1 Jim porsmidod bow'iwor (bat Ih‘ mouns woll for bis country, Is
.always an lioiu'st man, oTtoii a wisi' oiio, but. stmu' lluu*s, jind In souu‘ thlnnH,
absoliitiiy out «»!’ bts sonsos.'
In tlu’ re<’(‘ntly puhlish(*d Life, and Works of riohn Adams, liis
grandson, th(‘ Jiulhor ami tiJinpiler, has iiuorporjittul in llu^ Diary
of Mr. Adams n. paper ltd'l. hy him entitled Travels and Negothi-
tions ", which apiKUirs to havi‘ hcmi (a)nmic!Ha‘d in December IHtH),
and from which jlu‘. following is c.Mlrai'hal:
In*. I‘’ninlvnn, om* of my oolh^anucs, i.s so ncuorally kiiowm limt I shall not.
jitlompl a sketch of Ids clmrmicr ji( pr(\sont. U'lmt lie \vas ji nroat neidus, ji
nroal wil, Ji ni’cal biimoiist, a nrt^at sjUirisl, jind a nn'jit. iJolilui.Mii Is coiijiin,
iiuU lu‘ was a nrcat tihllosoplaM’, a ntaail morfiUst, and ji n«‘ca( st.'il<'smaii Is
mor(» tpK'Stloimbb*. ( Vol. HI, IIU).)
Whether the vemunihlt' diarist, whe.n the ahovt* was writUup had
laam appristal of the noti(*(‘ whi<’h had hiam taktm of him hy his
rimowncd and (‘i(imlly vmuu’ahlc co-ncgot.iator \vi‘ (‘an lunau* know.
Its rcs(‘mh!anc(‘ lo an (‘Xcusahh* n'tarl coHrlmuH is certainly no( a,
111 t.h‘ si riking,
d'o rclurn lo llu‘ commencement of t.lu‘ administration of flohu
(biiucy Adtiins, clforls wort* niadt*. hy its fritmds to (‘.xtute public
Mil till' 1 h‘imrl nicMt of StaU*. ( Nint liioahU ('on)p*i*KH Mhh. II Is ptiiUi'd In Wlairton,
lUi/lo. (‘orr«-H. t Waf.idtiatoii, l.s.sui, v. u, asa.
odium against its opponents by charging that their opposition was
personal, predetermined, and made without reference to public
measures. In this they were aided by an unwise and somewhat
hiflammatory declaration attributed to one of the South Carolina
members. In point of fact our opposition commenced at the thresh-
hold of the new administration but our course was nevertheless not
justly deserving of the imputations that were cast upon it. The
fact that the election of Mr. Adams had been made against the
known wishes of a majority of the People was at least sufficient to
justify us in standing aloof until we were officially informed of
the views and principles in the administration of the Government
by which the President-elect would be guided. The vote of non-
concurrence in the nomination of Mr. Clay as Secretary of State,
was confined to a portion only of our friends and avowedly given
on personal grounds. Beyond that nothing was done until the de-
livery of the Inaugural Address in which the new President dis-
closed the principles of his administration — ^t^rinciples of which
neither he nor his Cabinet expected our support.
Mr. Adams was an honest man, not only incorruptible himself,
but, as I have before said (and in these days it cannot be too often
said or too favorably remembered) an enemy to venality in
every department of the public service. He loved his coiintry,
desired to serve it usefully and was properly ambitious of the honor
of doing so. At a time and under circumstances highly creditable
to his patriotism he left his party and came to the support of Mr.
Jefferson' s administration. Knowing that in voting for the em-
bargo he opposed the opinion of his State he resigned the place
of Senator in Congress which he held by her appointment and
was, in the following year, sent as Minister to Eussia by Mr. Madi-
son. He occupied several prominent public stations abroad during
Mr. Madison’s administration and was recalled at the commence-
ment of Mr. Monroe’s term to take the leading position in his cab-
inet. The appropriate duties of these high offices, commencing
very soon after his rupture with the federalists and continuing
through the entire administrations of Madison and Monroe, he dis-
charged not only with great ability but with equal fidelity and
honor. He doubtless embraced fully and sympathized cordially in
the feelings and opinions of Jefferson, Madison and the republican
party, by which they had been elected and by which alone the admin-
istrations were sustained, on the subject of the War with England.
The same may be said in regard to most if not all the public ques-
tions that arose out of our foreign relations between the imposition
of the embargo and the close of Mr. Monroe’s Government.
But such we are bound to believe was not the case in resj)ect to
the political creed of the old republican party on the subjects of the
pr()])or and only lc<»‘itinia(a. objiu'ts I’or t^u^ iust-itiition of p^ovom-
monts iinionp: mon, and (l\o ])iirpos(‘s for ^^'hidl iliry should be em-
ploycMb- of tbo Inin tbnory of our coini^lnx bVd(‘n\l and Sbito
syslnm in iis oprralion upon donu’slii* alVaii’s, and IIk^ usos for wbieli
llicy w(‘r(‘ r(‘spt‘<*( i V(dy franiod and <‘ould only bc‘ rip^lilly applied,
and of (In' bindinp: (‘(reels ol’ wriden eonsfilui ions; a erred \vlii(‘.li
havini!: caused I lie He\'oIui.ion subst‘(|ueni.ly, in ibe sanu‘ spirit and
sig-nilicaney, (riuniph(‘d in ISOO, “and was l.lir(mp;houl faithfully
sustaiiual l>y tleHersoip and, with a. solitary exception, by Madison.
Tlie inlluenc(‘ wbiih that party bad eX(‘ri(Hl in tlie overthrow of tlu^
Founder* of bis House was not (‘alculabul lo conciliate the feelino's
of a man of Mr. Adams’ ti'inperameut. He had too much self
respe(‘t to iirob'ss that, on ilu'se ^Miints his oripfinal views of opinions
which had met with his warmest opposition in tb(‘ early part of his
politii'al ('areer bad nnderp:one any cbanp:e. He therefore ('in-
braci'd with avidity ami supportinl with zi^al the project of Mr.
Monroe to oldii.erati' the inauspicious party distim^tions of tlie past
and to hury the i'ecoll(‘ct ion of th(‘ii- caus(»s and ctr(‘(‘(.s in a se]mlchre>
proi)os(M[ hy himsi‘ir Ho wit in “ tlu‘ jv.i'eptaide of thinp;s lost on
(‘arth/''
With su(‘lv fi‘elinp:s and amidst. tht‘ distnu'tions and (‘onscMimmt
tiMu])()rary overthrow of tlu* r('.))ubrK‘ans he was eli'.vatrd to the
Prt'sidiuu’y. Tlu' condiiion of partitas at tliat moniimt, tJie feelings
that pervaded th(‘m and the (dlVc.I.s produta'd by tlie preliminary
st(‘ps and subs(‘(|U(‘nt na'asurc’s of IIk' new Administi*a(.ion are mat-
ters of iut.c'rest.ing revi(‘W, at. h'.ast. to oiu'. who had o|)p<)r(unities to
judge of them con’ectly and thiidcs bimsidf able to simak of tlunn
with rc'.a.sonable impartiality.
"^riie ehad.ion of the son of the stah^sman whom the aiKHistors of
.some among them had detumal it smdi a triumph to overtlu’ovv in
tlu^ griNit civil slrugg1(‘. of IHOO a .son lielic'-ved to be iinbmd with
many of tli(‘ strong |)n'judic(‘s and obnoxious opinions of his
futh(‘r ' as the first fruit of tlu'ir own distractions, was a source
of kt'tm regn'.t to the old la^pvibru'nns, save tlu‘> (Mmpiaratively IVav
who Inul decided lo follow tlu'. fortmu's of Mr, (Hay. Tlu‘ ))ow(w
which th(', old federal jiarty bad excu’tr.d in the r(*r(‘nt (‘onl.est and
the nlncrit.y and exulling spirit with which its votaries ralhu'd to the
standard of Mr. Adams as to a (‘omph^t.i* rc'.st, oration of t.lufir influ-
ence ill the ( ilovcu-nnumt, soon satisfied Ihosi* who had yielded to the
id(‘a of (h(‘ extinction of (hat. party of tlieir delusion —a (‘onvic-
lion mingUal with self I'eproach. Tlu'se latter, attacdu'd us strongly
as ever to th(‘. ])rim‘lples of t.lu‘ir own paidy, and convinced hy their
*• MS. n. p. 80,
ri74s;r‘ voi.ii no— m
unexpected defeat of tlio continued necessity of organization to
make them ascendant, became early desirous for its restoration. ^ Al-
way.s under similar circumstances, the rank and file of a political
party, taught by adversity the folly of their divisions, look to a
discontinuance of them to soothe its mortification, and long delays
in accomplishing a cordial reconciliation are invariably attributed
to the policy and ambition of leaders. In the present ciisc the
difficulties of this kind were not formidable, as the friends of Mr.
Clay were readily made scape-goats for all delinquencies. A short
interval to soften the minor irritations produced by the asperities
of the canvass, and an outside pressure from the successful ctindi-
date were alone necessary to the formation of a hearty and effective
union between the friends and supporters of Jackson, Crawford
and Calhoun. That pressure was quickly applied by Mr. Adams
in his Inaugural Address. Believing that the steps* that had been
taken to break up old party organizations had been successful, a
large portion of that paper was employed in demonstrating and
applauding the result. The merits and demerits of the two great
political parties which had divided the opinions of our country
were, in felicitous terms, placed upon a footing of equality; the
policy of our Government towards foreign nations was assumed
to have been their principal source; the catastrophe of the French
Eevolution and our subsequent peace with Great Britain were- al-
luded to as having uprooted the baneful weed of party strife; no
differences of principle, it was declared, either in relation to the
theory of government or to our foreign intercourse, had since ex-
isted sufficient to sustain a continued combination of parties ; ani-
mosities growing out of political contention had consequently, he
said, been assuaged and the most discordant elements of public
opinion blended into harmony.
The scattered members of one of those great parties, of that, too,
which when united had for a series of years possessed the confidence
of the country and been intrusted with the administration of the
go\ eimment, but which had now been defeated mainlv by the con-
certed action of its old opponents— could not be expected to listen
with complacency to this description, by their successful rival, of a
state of things which they had discovered tO' be '' a delusion and a
siiaie. ^ But this was not all: the new President announced among
the subjects of Federal legislation which he favored that of Internal
Improvtoient by means of Eoads and Canals. He admitted that
^me diversity of opinion had prevailed in regard to the power of
Congress over tlie subject, but it was alleged that a great advance
had taken place in public sentiment in favor of the power and con-
fident hope was expressed that its extent and limitation woulc soon
i. III w {« ViVlV niJitlliiN.
JLcru
he oslfiblisluMl lo ilip s:U isfjH’tioii of jill, jui<l ‘"ovory spoculjith'e
S(UMiple. solved by |)racd:i(*al public bl(‘ssinu’s.''’
In bis (irsi annual IVIossa^o iu^ dwell, wilh uiueh earnestness and
at leii^ih on (lu* same subject, -in’essed the transeiMubint. iin-
])orlanee. of (lie policy n'connnended a ml llu' obli^'alion to })r()inote
it, and rex'omnumded to llu‘. pe.rse\aM*in<>: (‘onsideraiion of fon^-ress
tlu' o;('ii('ral prin(‘iple in a nion^ ('iilariJ^ed (‘Xteiii;*" (‘inbra(*ed anioiif>-
se,v(']‘al olh(‘r spc'cified ol)j(‘(*t:s a lTni\'(‘csil.y and Astronomical ()b-
servatoivic^s, (b^siTibin^ tl\e. lattei^ as “Ii;j;ht houses of (he skies! -a
namc^ sudicienlly ivru'itous in reirard to th(^ subject, but iiuHscreetly
used ns (H)nceded liy bis friends in nvference to the cire.umsi aue.es
timlei* which he spolce, — and <'los(‘<l with an admonition as to the
(*ons(Mjii(‘n(‘es of att('mpiiiio‘ to ('xcuse onr failure in duty by pro-
(hruniiio- (o (ii(^ wothl (hat wo had allowed ourselves to be parali^^icd
by th(^ will of onr (’onstitiU'ntsd’
'’riu'se papers wen^ wriden with tlu'. al)ili(.y for which Mr. Adams’s
pen was justly distinjiiuished, ddu\v weri‘ lilled wilh Ave.ll~wrou|ii;ht
en(‘omiums on llu'. Kedei-al (k)ns(ilu(ion, plausil)l(' thdlnilions of the
grants and linjils of powers lH‘tW(H‘n lla^ <h‘n(‘i‘al and State (Jovi'ni''
meuls, and (*lo<jU(‘nt injiim*tions in favor of llu^ir faithful obs(‘rv~
tmce; and yot no(. one of the followei‘s of (lu* old lu'publieau faith *
tu) int(*ili/j,X‘n{- friend of llm r(*s('rvt‘d rijrhts of (hi*. s(a(.i*s could Fail
to si*e in (hem the. most nllra. latitiidinarian ilo<*trines, ddie expres-
sions which 1 have (|U(h*d, and espi‘cially lhal. in which lie s))oke of
(he R(‘pr(*s(*nla( i ves allowing* (hi*ms(*lves lo la*, palsied hy the will
of (lu*ir (‘()nstitiu*n(s, llud {*omh(*<l in Icnns of professional ambi/i;uity,
wen* well culcida((ul (o s(re,n<»'tlien llud conclusion, lOven Hamilton,
who had always hi'.en placial a( (iu* lieail of (he latitudinarians,
whilsi avowing, iu the ingenuousness of his nature, his admiration
of (he Ih’itish ('onslhuliom admiKed ilnd- tlu*. (‘sialilislunent of a
mnnaj'cliy h(*n* ought no(. (o he a((emp(i*d l)(*i‘an.s(‘ il. would hi*,
againsi (lu* known \vislu*.s of (la*. p(*ople, wliih^ it was (lu* duty of
(heir repn‘sen(.atives (o eonduct tlu^ governtuent on (In*, priuciph's
(*h*e(ed hy (he. consf i( lumey.
Mr, Adam.s’s descrijilion of the then state of piihlie opinion in
resi)eet to llu^ eonstilul ioiial ])ow(*!* of (k)ngr(*ss ()V(*r (hi*. siihji*et of
Inlernal Im])rovements was, in l.he main and ])aifirn!arly in
respei’i of (hose ^vho had constiluli'd lh<^ gi’eat body of (he lve])ul)-
lican [Kirty, Vi^ry imairreid. !l was l!aii' tlia(. several promiiu’ut
R(‘.pui)licans had, alh*r (he pea(*(‘, eii(i*ri‘d warmly in(n (lu*. snjijxirt
of dial, sysiein, evidenlly under (he impression Iliad* il Was (lu*.
])alh lo (he cmdideiiee and siipporl of (he peopit*, and llii*)*(‘ W(*r<* of
course not, a few. in (‘verv s(‘cr!on of (lu* ctnnilry, who, stiiintlatiul liy
« MH. II, I), S5.
self interest, were willing to have their speculative scruples solved ”
by so-called, “practical public blessings.” But the thinking and
disinterested minds of the party, as well as the mass who were influ-
enced by their counsels, continued to regard the claim of this power
as dangerous heresy and to oppose it by every effort — an opposition
of which the Journals of the National Legislature through several
administrations furnish abundant evidence.
I never entertained a moment’s doubt, after the delivery of the
Inaugural Address, of the speedy reunion of the Republican party —
excepting the personal adlierents of Mr. Clay, but including a
majority of its former supporters in the eastern states who had been
drawn off to Mr. Adams by the consideration of his being an eastern
man.
It suited the policy of the friends of the Administration, taking
advantage of an article in the Albany Argus^ newspaper, which was
published without my knowledge and in well understood opposition
to 1115^ opinions, and of the near expiration of my Senatorial term, to
charge me, through their presses, with a concealment of my views
in regard to the new government until I might secure my reelection:
hence the imputation of non-oommittalis7n which became thence
forward the parrot-note of my adversaries throughout my public
career always applied to my sayings and writings except when it
'was supposed that more injury could be done by attributing to me
the sentiments which I meant to express. My son, Col. Van B'uren,
on his return from the campaign in Mexico, described to me an inci-
dent amusingly illustrative of the tenacity with which this party
catch-word of more than twenty years maintained its place in the
vocabulary of those who had been accustomed to use it. At the
hottest moment of the battle of Monterey, when it required all the
circumspection of Gen. Taylor and his staff to avoid the cannonade
of the enemy, directed against the position they occupied, Col.
Baylie Peyton rode up to the General with a message from Gen.
Worth who was stationed on the opposite side of the city. Having
made his communication, he added that a letter had been found in
the pocket of a dead cavalry officer fi'om Santa Anna in regard to
whose movements and plans there was great uncertainty and of
course great interest. “Well,” said the General, “which way is he
moving? ” “Upon that point” replied the Colonel, “his letter is
quite Van Buren-ish and leaves us altogether in the dark ! ” Gen.
Taylor, who knew enough of party politics to recognise a portion
of its vocabulary so notorious, and to his credit as a soldier very
little more, turned to my son at his side and said, somewhat sharply,
“Col. Peyton, allow me to introduce you to my aid Major Van
Buren.” Peyton, altho’ a violent political partisan, was a generous
AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF MARTIN VAN BUREN. 197
hearted mari and had, in the excitement of the moment, been un-
mindful of my son’s presence. Regardless of the constant saluta-
tions to the company of the enemy’s artillery he insisted on acquit-
ting himself on the spot of intentional want of courtesy, either to-
wards him or myself — for whom he protested, notwithstanding
political difference, he had always entertained the kindest and most
respectful feelings ; which was doubtless true, and he was of course
readily excused upon the single condition that he would allow my son
to give me the benefit of a hearty laugh by describmg the scene to me.
There was never perhaps a more unfounded imputation, and no
two men in the country were less in doubt in respect to niy course
than Mr. Adams and Mr. Clay. They understood too well my feel-
ings on the subject of Mr. Monxue’s fusion policy which they both
promoted, and they had seen too much of my opposition to the
principles and measures which they knew would become leading-
features of their administration to expect me to sustain it. I feel
that I can say with truth that throughout my political career it
was my invariable desire to have my oiiinions upon public questions
distinctly known. I publicly answered, without hesitation or un-
willingness, more questions put to me by opponents whom I knew
to have sinister purposes in putting them and whose predetermined
votes were not to be affected by any assurances or explanations,
than have been answered by all the Candidates for the Presidency
together from the commencement of the Government to this day.
Notwithstanding that these are by-gone affairs, in their time of veiy
limited importance and now of none, yet in view of the extraor-
dinai'y success of this partisan accusation and of its striking illus-
tration of the power of the Press, I will record the proof of its
original falsity which has at this late date accidentally fallen under
my notice. In looking over some old ]Daj)ers for another object, I
accidentally laid my hand on a letter from Mr. CrosAvell, at the
time Editor of the Albany Argus^ in which the article in that news-
paper which was so confidently attributed to my dictation and
which gave rise to the charge of my pursuing a non-committal
policy in regard to the administration of Mr. Adams, is directly
referred to. The letter is dated April 3d, 1826, and the following
extract is all that it contains upon the subject:
* * * I must ask you not to be surprised at tbe tenor of the leading
editorial article of this morning. It has not been written without deliberation.
The truth is, whilst there is an increasing aversion towards Mr. Adams
amongst the Ilepublicans of the State, there is a great aversion on their ijart
to any collision with the administration which shall drive them to the sup-
port of Mr. Clinton, or that shall force them to encounter the hostility of
both. They prefer, /or the present, at least, to stand in the capacity of
lookers on, believing that tbe natural hostility between A and C will be
certain of shewing itself, and the sooner if we afford them no other aliment
I
-I
'\
J. C70
JiiVJ-XJU-i-VjAXXN XijLO xi.fcOkJvj'OJ.ii.ju J.v.'
than themselves. It is for this reason and because it is believed that little
advantage and very great evil may arise from a contrary course that we
propose to let the National politics alone.i
The italicising in the above extract is my own. It thus appears
that the position assumed by my friends at Albany was taken with-
out my previous knotvledgej and to shew how inconsistent it was
with my laiown opinions and acts it is only necessary to say that
I spent the month of March immediately preceding the date of the
letter in earnest and active participation with the opposition in
the Senate in their efforts to defeat the Panama Mission, and the
month of April, in which it ivas written, in resisting the project
of the Administration in respect to the Judiciary Bill. The former
was its favorite measure, whilst it acquiesced in the loss of the
latter rather than agi*ee to the Jeffersonian restriction of the act
of 1802, confining the residence of' the Judges to their circuits,
(upon which we insisted) notwithstanding our assent to the num-
ber of Judges which they proposed, and of which they had the
appointment, or rather nomination.
My views in regard to the then next Presidential election were
formally asked by that estimable man and indexible old Eepublican,
Judge William Smith, of South Carolina in an interview which
I had with him at Boston, within three months after tlie commence-
ment of Mr. Adams’s Administration. I informed him that as
Mr.° Crawford was removed from further competition by the state
of his health my next candidate would be Andrew Jackson. To
liis questions in regard to the probability of success and to the
safety with wdiich we might rely on the GeneraPs present political
opinions — his confidence on the latter point having been shalcen
by the famous letter to Mr. Monroe- and by the incidents of the
last election, — I answered that by adding the General’s personal
popularity to the strength of the old Republican party which
still acted together and for the maintenance of which the Judge
and myself had been strenuous colaborers, we might, I thought,
be able to compete successfully with the power and patronage of
the Administration, then in the zenith of its prosperity; that
we had abundant evidence that the General was at an earlier period
well grounded in the principles of our party, and that we must
trust to good fortune and to the effects of favorable associations
for the removal of the rust they had contracted, in his case, by
a protracted non-user and the prejudicial effects in tliat regard
of his military life.
» Edwin Croswcll to Van Buren, Apr. 3, 1826, in the Van Buren Papers. It is in-
dorsed : Origin of the non-committal charge, M. V. B. 1S42.”
“ MS. II, p. 90.
-'Jackson’s letter of Oct. 2S, 1S16, and a certified copy of Monroe’s reply, Deo. 14 to
this and the Jackson letter of Nov. 12 are In the Jackson Papers, Library of Congresi
AT \p|i V Ml M Airrix van iu'mkn'. 190
PImii I'.! uith fltr vir*u . lln* Jxu\,jv ri-k.M! my nmsK^ni io spi'iik
mT fki^tu ;t .-nmi.'jy Ikum i,i,\ whii-li r*i‘;urilv ixiviMi, ;nul
ln‘ iniiwvA (ifum fh.*ir .i3p|Hirt with riuirai-tt*ri'4 ii* -piriT, U was
at luv liiat (imi, .hu-k .m alUTWanls utlVnal Jmlov,
Smith a • v*at uii tla‘ Ih'iu'h nf thi^ SiipnMia* (‘ourt n\' (lu- rnitial
St at^‘ , whii’h la* ika'lintah
khnm thsit }M‘riini tn tlu* t‘lta*(itni th{*ri» ia‘v»*r was a mMiiuait in
whirli m\ iiitantinn in Mppnsi* t!m n'ainrtitm uT Mr, Atlanis wa:; imt.
imivrrsally kunwn, tmt \vith*4Hntlinir whirh fart thr Atlmiui'lratinn
prr-M*. -m'rtaahMl r\trnsivrt\ in impn injT tltr nnti rommittal hr-
taui upnii thr taanhility ttf tiirir rratli*r.s. I vptmt a frw houivs not,
inn-' sinrr, witli Mr. Wal In fonm*rly lulititr utul rroprii‘tor of
thr /»'.»/ (a junriial poUtiiailly nppo tal (o mr, puh
li'.hrtl in Ihiihulrlplmn ami with hi. nmiahh* family, af f!n*ir rrsj
(Iriar, in Pari , aiih wr all hnii'lnal hrartily tu| 4 V[iit‘r hI his alln-
ion t{> -ouir m| tiu* unrr«jtifr; uhirh thr party spirit (»r
that il;i% pnf in rirrtilurion on thi puitit. Anmnt.j: nmny othrrs
oi rt|ii:il pirtrnsinn . to (ruth hr rrhitial this: a lu't was oHViaal
hv oiir parti' an in anothrr that thr lat(t*r rouhl not pnt to mr a
pur {mn MU any su!»jr»i tn whirli hr wtaihl ri‘rtM\t‘ a drlitiitivr an
uri\ uhirh uas ar,'tpitril ami tin* pur lhm askr«l wir; \vla‘(la*r 1
tMurmarh m thr prnrral opinion that thr nn rn r in (hr ICasl : my
an. Von iia\im» lu*rn that 1 pr»* nmr«l (hr fart wa, arrorilini]^ (o tho
ronmaui imprr lou, hut, a f invariahlr Irpt until aftrr sim ri.s(%
I rniihi UMt prak f roin tiiV ow ii Julow lr« liU’. Ml*. W al li hrar«t this t‘r <
poifinl hv jr ! on who A# /A IS »/ /;■ /o /n //n/fS* a stroii^^ ilhr tration
of thr intlururr tjf a pHilv pi'i* au»l ijf llir fatuity of a Ihiml party
.spirit .
h'hr ai rkpit ima* \*% tlir Prr .iilrni» in hrtmlf of (lu* rnittnl Slatr-:,
of .an InmlaiiMU rrrrivnl fr»»nj thr Vmrriran Statrsof Spanish origin
to rial a Mfiii nu’ to rrpi'f »-ni u . at thrir pt*npo isl ( ‘oni^^risss at
I’aU Moa, was tin* lir t ni'rat mm .un* of Mr, Ailatn'^s aihninist rat ituu
1 hi . r\!ru tiu ritoriai arttiUi of thr !‘Arruti\t* hranrh of (hr t it)^
rruiurtif, ln*inn withoti! prtsaalrnt in its history, <*ouli*ary to (In*
srtipr Hint spirit of fhr ( 'ntist it u! ion niut at vaiiaiirr with onr tif
thr most proniimuit rrrommrmlat ion , of (hi* hkdhrr tjf hi t*<amtry
in rrrtaril to «uir forriipi poliry, prr imPsl (hr Hr I iaii.“ihl«‘ point,
for thr oppM ition wiiish ha*! h*sm ant i'’ipaf r. I mnl *‘Miilii not liavi*!
hnm auiiiinl without an ahamf mnu'ut f»f rhrri hrd prinripirs arul
w!ii«'!i iIti-i • ua in tiuiu iitj tf; po iiinii (o avtjiih
Mr. t 'aliiMun ii.rh to n «* hr uw n \uu'tl , t akrn a jn‘rfrf’1 ly nrut ral
«;m Itlou hrtusru tiro. Jark.nu aud Ml*. Aduiu /' um! {lirH* was not,
liitlr .M s.ity t‘' hsirn wlmt hi - r«jur r would lir towanls thr
' I S ri**.: -.. ' . ■ ; 4.'i i: • t-ain-a ts WiOs^h.
Administration . after tliese developments of its views. I called
upon him, at his residence in Georgetown, at the commencement of
the session and found him as decidedly hostile to the Panama Mis-
sion as I was myself. Although nothing to that effect was then
said there was also an obvious concurrence in opinion between us
that opposition to so prominent a measure of the Administration
could not fail to lead to an ultimate union of efforts for its over-
throw. This followed and from that period to the election of Gen.
Jackson there was a general agreement in action between us, except
in regard to the Tariff policy of which I have already spoken.
The Panama Mission was a very imposing measure and well cal-
culated, on first impressions, to be very populai'. An assemblage
of the free states of a Hemisphere by their representatives in one
Congress, to deliberate upon the most effectual means to protect
their own sovereignties, to advance the great cause of free govern-
ments and, thro’ their instrumentality, the dignity and the happi-
ness of their people, in contrast with, and, in some degree, at least,
in antagonism to the so-called “Holy Alliance” of the absolute
Governments of another Hemisphere, assembled in another Con-
gress to maintain and promote their despotic sway over the minds
of men, was a scheme apparently well planned to captivate republi-
can citizens. It seemed also well devised to soothe the public mind,
to lessen the irritation unexpectedly produced by angry discussions
during the recess growing out of the appointment of Mr. Clay and
the doctrines broached in the Inaugural Address, and to bury the
recollection of former discrepancies in the views of the leaders of
the Administration by presenting them to the Country as the cor-
dially united and enthusiastic advocates of a noble National under-
taking. Indeed, no project could have been better adapted to pro-
duce the latter result, for attempts to dazzle the public mind by
gala-day measures of that description formed the ruling passion
of Mr. Cla3^’s political life to which he sacrificed bright prospects
that could doubtless have been easily realized by simpler means.
Yet it was not difficult to show that the scheme was ill-advised and
could not fail if cai'ried out to cause incalculable evils to the Coun-
try. The first question was in regard to the point at which the assault
should be commenced — ^whether in the Senate, on the nomination of
the Ministers, or in the House on the aj)propriation for their salaries.
Our greatest strength, in regard to talent as well as comparative
numbers being in the Senate, that body was selected as the principal
field of contest. The nomination of Ministers was referred to the
Committee on Foreign Affairs of which Nathaniel Macon was Chair-
man, who made an able report against the mission.^ Our objection
i BxecutiTC Proceedings * * * on * * ♦ the mission to the Congress at Pan-
ama, 1826, Jan. 16. S. Docs., 19th Cong., 1st sess.. No. 68^ p. 57.
AUTOBIOGRAPHY OP MARTIN VAN BUBEN.
201
being to the measure and not to the men nominated as Ministers, and
therefore wholly unprecedented, I thought it a case in which the
discussion should be public and introduced a resolution, which was
adopted, to that effect “ unless in the opinion of the President, the
publication of documents, necessary to be referred to in debate,
would be prejudicial to existing negotiations.”
Mr. Adams, on receiving a copy of the resolution, refused to give
the opinion respectfully asked by the Senate, not content with that,
he, in his return message, said he would leave it to the Senate itself,
(who were of course to a great extent ignorant of existing negotia-
tions) to decide the question of an unexampled departure from its
own usages, and upon motives, of which, not being himself informed,
he ° did not feel himself competent to decide.” This refusal, and the
unauthorized allusion to and virtual condemnation of our motives
gave great offense to the Senate, and was the first act of discourtesy
in a series of proceedings which produced unprecedented excitement
and ill-blood as well in the Senate as in the Country. A retaliatory
movement was proposed, but as the original resolution had been
introduced by me, our friends conceded to me, in a great degree, the
suggestion of any action to be adopted on our part. I was sensible
of the importance of the proposed opportunity to repel the censure
that was cast upon us for obstructing the passage of a measure repre-
sented by the Administration press to be eminently patriotic, but my
anxiety to avoid anything that might be construed as a factious
opposition was so strong as to induce me to prefer to waive it, which
was accordingly done.
The discussions occupied several weeks and became earnest and
sometimes violent. After unmistakable indications of eti'ects i^ro-
duced by Governmental influence, the nominations were confirmed
by a vote of 24 to 20,^ and the aneasure received the sanction of both
Houses of Congress, but it was undeniably thoroughly discredited
with the Country by the opposition it had received. The Ministers
went out but they found no Congress. Several of the Treaties among
the South American States authorizing it were not ratified by them,
nor were any other steps taken to carry the plan into effect.
This general abandonment of the grand enterprise by its 'putative
fathers, together with suspicious signs in the correspondence, satis-
fied me that altho’ it had been apparently organized in South Amer-
“MS. II, p. 95,
^With Van Buren voted Findlay of Pennsylvania, Chandler and Holmes of Maine,
Woodbury of New Hampshire, Dickerson of New Jersey, and Kane of Illinois, making
seven Northern and twelve Southern senator.-^. Against Van Buren were eight sena-
tors from Slave States, Barton of Missouri, Bouligny and Johnston of Louisiana, Cham-
bers of Alabama, Clayton and Van Dyke of Delaware, Richard M. Johnson of Kentucky
and Smith of Maryland. It was an incipient but a true party division. — Shepard, Martin
Van Buren, American Statesmen Series (Boston and New York, 1899), p. 131.
ica, the inspiration which suggested it was of Washington origin.
Mr. Adams, in his next annual Message, sang a graceful requiem over
the lost project, accompanied by exculpatory observations to which,
as no danger of resurrection was apprehended, there was no reply.
A copy of a speech delivered by ine on the subject will be found
in
^ The pamphlet edition of Van Buren’.s speech, Washington City, Gales & Soatoii, 1820,
41 pp. 8° is in the Van Buren Papers under date of March 14.
<'I1 W'lKll Will.
}ir<»} u »■ it it »ii fur flir Ml i*‘h r.i!iaiu:i wa :nrMiii|i:! nir« 1 liy
u nuni'^tui* nt»t h*— * . !n |»nbhr trrlni;* ;inrl ahiu‘ irulirat i\ i'
t*r iji,.^iu»ruJUa» t#f tlir riUirUt ni itiiitih' »aitimriu un tin- jKirt
tif ili‘‘ Vvi‘ iiirnt :nul lu . Snartai s nf S!ai>a m a u-i'KIt* nt* , in
t n*-nunt ta iiir i! in tlu* nrM ri U!a»a uf fa\«tnlt* t hrtiu* iiiiaui i tent
V. iih ihr rha r nl piajiiriil (air lutai. 1 !kU uhirlj \vi* haAr jll l
tlr afluMi V, .1 |.rt‘ v.i M}»‘iu t!t$‘ t%»:int}-v In ttjffti iti rt*t,'arit tif a
faituhar priariph* lu «tUi' ftai'iini tht* tth t‘rviiurr tif whirli
hati l»r.ai uuli mut tMat-rnnirat aUil U:hl urtjuirtal u.
|.rriiiau» Uf ai^l lai.Mra!<lr JU lli»- puhlir nuUtl. *riu* llira 4ir«^
iimV'. rrrtaa*‘^i in \\n Ua* rMii.a* tna {m tiiaa! liiitain )i\ trauly
f 1 1 ail at iM!s «»t tla* uj ‘*^?‘urah in ]irrvnli| tlia jJin ai'Uf ma ttf
la\r tia»lr lUitirr .air l!ar% a prat »^ir i‘ ui ap.iiu 4 uhiali, u hini
.i! i*aiipia* i Im 1h‘ pul III praaiiat* Tmi* tin* piirpn a tif rrauv HritiJi
raliiau fltilu Mtir .arvii’ 1 % Ur hu'l WH^U'il :i war llh* rau t* nf whifll
u a . \r{ flr.li in tbr rrrnllrrfiim uf t ill‘ Ptaipli', a. Uril H:: tUt* il’I'i
latmu prt»»iur»‘ii 1»\ p.
\\r Mpp«- »''l ihr tMaily Ulul t|t‘fratrtj if (»\ a tlrtUtlrtl vntr.* '!‘lu*
I'wtitlJiMU t«f t ur i tiuufiv HI its tturtru ami <i<uu** lir rriafitur. u a .
•k« fa\«uahtr ai thi fiu:*- that uilh ‘h ‘ irrl uirii at t!ir laattl tif ihr
t r H tiiurut , autl Mtiins tfa, pni«lrnsr m flit* rttutlurf uf if alfairs,
ihrrr i tnt ha^r lirrri tlu' f iltUilif tif tiH' (It'rt* . uf f|ir
\tiuiiui irafauu }»ut uii ft»rt uiuUt'lu a. uril ftu- tJa* tuuutry fiu*
Ur-U£ .'hr , ututhrr Mr. AtluJii . initr Mr, ('lay urrr rilhrr tii .rrrri
|t\ liHinr tiV III hy r\priarurr uifh ;f prupiT a ppl'rr ui t if ifi uf
ih#' urlHr tif pin>lru»‘r in thr ilirtNijun nf puhlit* liu iiu* .
Mu iH»ruf|\ ujlli fU'Uiu, luul lalrnt , flaur pa it»ii f^r
lujll.aiil ilfi'rl , uf uhirh I h'd%r pukm a, prriiliar t*» Mr. ( *la\
idif rhiil. li ua rtifUUiMlt 1 m IimIIu U a. - intt rrMV'.Ir*(l Ultli a tirpi'tM*
r.f ir r ■ p! MpMi i itiuiitr {m iIm* ha/.ait! uf it. Hi'lnlpriirr, lu (hr
t ari- r ».( th«- uaHtai'V Irutirr ttu 1 tilt. u iitiauv, i r, litil in thr
.r hiuUi 1 rat imu uf
rn il allau
tat*' Utrll Ilf
ulu-r jitAinurul aiitl
i . 1 ' ■ : ii > •. if if >ii V' :A
: i 1 s,f 1 5;.-
t,; ■ if U; i' .a< V.
■i >ti 'i- isa:.;
.■ fti - :■
I.f-; iv;.- a
i - r ?.! r-.. ,M ft u- rr.
i Uir 1 .-s «-.'HU 4 1- JuUMijti uf
a rnts. ^ U as, \ j.j,. '..ms ss; \-i a :-u Im i;;,
; S#.J < iar-'s . ..i ; . f-. s. ; ■ f . ih*‘ f^ist i*'
Mi.tl > j~.i -.a’ r.l-s 3i- :-*fi ra-n ■;» •■ » Ir-ai r-cu-* lu \i.s «r
;m h-.iit- fs-.j..-; I .-t i,at a. uU i
JJi UU.UL\jCU. UJ tli VJJ. UiJLC dltfiVJii VJH UllO Ui
the Senate, by the latter, as a “coalition between the puritan and
the blackleg” was one of the most exciting. In his “Thirty Years’
View,” Colonel Benton has given an account — clever and impar-
tial — of this affair. The subject was frequently adverted to by
Mr. Randolph during our rides together and the details recited
in his peculiar way. He invariably admitted that laying out of
view the place where the offensive words Tvere spoken and its im-
munities, which he said he had waived as far as he could, Mr. Clay
had incurred no blame in calling him to the field. On one occa-
sion he told me that the latter had been six years in bringing his
mind to that point, during which he had, on several occasions, fur-
nished him ground for such a step, hut as he had always given
the offense in a way that left it optional with Mr. Clay to give
the matter that direction or to let it pass, he had taken the lat-
ter course. Perhaps no man ever lived more qualified to do such
a thing successfully than Randolph. He insisted that he at no
time intended to take Mr. Clay’s life and assigned as a reason
his respect for Mrs. Clay and his unwillingness to make her unhappjq
but he admitted that, after certain occurrences, he had determined
to wound him in the leg — his failure to accomplish which design
he attributed to an anxiety to avoid the kneepan^ to hit which he
regarded as murder!
Mr. Randolph’s intemperate speeches during the whole of the
Panama discussion attracted a large share of the public attention,
and the Vice President was much censured by portions of the public
press for omitting to call him to order. Randolph justified himself
on the ground that a corrupt and tyranical administration could not
be overthrown without violence, and quoted in his defence the
text of scripture which says “the Kingdom of Heaven suffereth
violence and the violent take it by force.” Mr. Calhoun held that
he did not possess the power to call a senator to order, as the
rules conferred that power on the members of the body only —
that he could not claim it by implication, and that as he was not
placed over the body by their own choice, or responsible to them, he
ought not in so delicate a matter to act upon doubtful authority.
He therefore, very properly called upon the Senate to express its
opinion upon the subject, and to confer the power upon him by their
rules if they wished him to exercise it and if they concurred with
him in supposing that he did not already possess it. This led to
an elaborate discussion of the question and of the true construe-
AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF MARTIH VAN BUREH. 205
tion of the Constitution in regard to implied powers, in which I
took part and delivered a speech which will be found in
Mr. Randolph was in evex'y wav a most extraordinary man, and
occupied wherever he went a large share of public attention. There
was not a session of Congress during his years service as a
member in which his sayings and doings did not contribute the
principal staple of the political gossip at Washington. This was
particularly the case at the commencement of Mr. Adams’s ad-
ministration, when he appeared for the first time in the Senate
where his whole course was one of annoyance to his opponents and
of not a little uneasiness to his friends. He spoke day in and day
out, and sometimes for several successive days, upon matters and
things in general having political and personal bearings but not
always even directed to the business before the Senate — an abuse
in which others have since been largely participant, but in which
perhaps there has never been so great an offender. His speeches
attracted great attention from the severity of his invectives, the
piquancy of his sarcasms, the ° piercing intonation of his voice and
his peculiarly expressive gesticulation. He could launch imputa-
tions by a look, a shake of his long figure, or a shrug of his
shoulders, accompanied by a few otherwise commonplace words,
which it would I’equire in others a long harangue to express. These
rare oratorical accomplishments were never suffered to grow rusty
for want of use, and he kept us in constant apprehension that he
would still further thin our ranks in the Senate, already some-
what weeded by Executive favours, by the character of the stimu-
lus with which he was in the habit of urging the sluggish zeal of
some of our brethren. He had for some time been desirous to take
in' hand the case of John Holmes, of Maine, whose party fidelity
was doubted by his associates long before he quitted them, and
Randolph at length found a more justifiable ground for his assault
than he could have anticipated. Holmes had made a speech which
Randolph thought bore upon its face satisfactory evidence of being
designed to propitiate the Administration, and either in it, or in
some collateral remarks, had spoken of the Vice President and
himself as personal friends. Randolph, finding these remarks in
the papers, called the attention of the Senate to the subject, denied
the right of Mr. Holmes or any other person to define his personal
relations in delicate and guarded terms but in a way entirely
respectful to that Senator, and, as an excuse for not saying what
he now said wdren the remark was made, explained that he had
not heard it and presumed it must have been made whilst he was
1 See Holland’s Life of Van Buren (Hartford, 1836) p. 279 for a long extract of this
speech and note to p. 184 “ Substance of Mr. Van Buren’s ohserrations in the Senate.”
“ MS. II, p, 100.
out of tlu‘ thnoui nil hi :ortr i i
nuuiiu*r in which Ua!ith»lj‘h ha*l tv! !u ^ . .-u v^ > ihi*
cin'iims( {uu‘i‘ <»ii tlic c|»ot, not «»nl^ ih' i ^^' >5 ^ '• h ■ ’ * -o
his sc'af, hill- thal lie !u*aril tlie risii.irL- v, * a h h* .. f*»* 4 v *■%■
(*e.j)(ioiU ami f\incc(l a den.rcr nf pr*rl ^ :n n- «h:*h
aniontiiial |o rudfuer I* ruin fht* ii’MinnU *l ;.i hi- 'r'lon
vSf.ood su(‘h (o li(* tiu* driit id Ilnlint* im.-jr - '• ■ * niti'-fl
its s(i‘i'iU’s(‘ (‘Npressinn, and h>* at tn!h, !u * : v. Aii t.udid
lU'iiis, iiianifesfly fnrtiircd uifh nppn d ^ s U-l!-.-.
sinning' his seat, ht' m e and ri-capif ;d ii^d, ’wm i « y- • -a. 41
tiud sui’pristMl us, whaf had nerurrt*d h*'«<«'n t»r' 'f -itorj. .r had
oN>jH' to satisfy tht‘ Siunitnr fnun Mann’ tli.it h»- ii t.d um 4 au t*. of
coniphiitil. in tin* niatti*r referrml to and tu^-' [-• ^ n, - mI Ta.i;,
Senator in an attempt to impearh hr- vria it\. !l »,v u;' d*air fids
ill a (‘old ami iinimpa' iomsl nLiiuirr, h; ;tpp»^il in» »^ and .stylo
suddiudy riuuiiA'ed, ami lie eliursf-d lh»!iut' to ? 10 dOalod
desii>‘u (o make* a personal atcaek up(-n hiia a . .t p -.i ' ■ > 1 ;• f*»
(lie. Administration, and a pndudr Im hi ptduti A .qn- : e , md
proeeiah'd in an a-snnlt the mM^r ^o»*r<dy pn ^atal ih.a h^l p»n
hups ('V(»r U'en Inward witliin fliat elitoiKn’ and r^aianr at fhi*
nionumt to annihilate hi anlar^oni t.
AKlud (d’ eoUPa' there ueia r«*i»»Mft*d rrie of * ' tii e-r'”
ih<u*(' was no spei‘ilio and re pon dd*' eal!, aud^ if tlu'if i,ad hr^u
his words wma* so skillfidly eho en end hi. p^'^'nPar t--- t a? , v.an
Irilniiial so larytdy to the eojnevaner »d ihf miP-i. t.o.o a
(ions, (hat a Senator (‘ailing* him to ofd«»r uordd I
greatest, dilliindty in \vritin»„t down, u-> ih*^ nih* i-quui«^d, fh«- d; **1
derly words on whieh ihi‘ motion i-oiijd hf* l'Mtmd»'d. 1 'srnat*' uu
nuMliuddy adjourned under ^»reat i»\e!!»aoent . IhtnoMiph t !.» mr
ami insisted (hat 1 should pt hoim* and time with him, and *0, our
way to Ids lodyrin^rs 1 remonqrateil with Uun on In t -m * pir.ik
ino* dowm our [airty ^drenirth. ndmiit<M| rhm Iloliut* . had r wui Inm
a fair excuse for a reply id' in-ent sesenty, hut m»i: for an aff:e L Ido*
that he had madi* which would unaumlaldv drue lom fioia our
ranks, ^*'1 deny that, he veliemeutly la'piied, “ 1 ha''-** umI dii\»‘St
1dm away. He was alreiuly a tltvserfer in hi - hear! ; if ^ ou r\amiur
the body you will (iml that Me irtfunt/ d. /a r*'. d a /.-y*
I (‘Oiild not at the time aeeouid for tlie le peeudd and ; . Id rhar
aeterof his |)reliminarv explanation- to Holme , a I Lin w tie* latr
of his fi*(din,iis (owarils him, hnl wa> in tie* i*ud af^ ti^-d di.u d ua.
a part of his desiirn to make sun* id' hi xietim by tir i puttmo [am
as far as pos ilde in the wronm dlii . alfair v.a the ^ 01 » ui an
e\t I'aordinarv seiUK* in th(‘ Senati* a few days afterward .
Mr. Kandoljih s spemdie^ laa'ame more and more uimoynuf fo ihu
Administration and its friends, in and out at the Senate, uml yut
nu lo t’;,* rr pnn-itiiruy nT ralliiitif him
tM nr*lt*T'. 1 f***l5! t * : T' i lUl t :i !i* 'i * n iti* n]) tin* pari nf ilu^
atimnh Mm; a'lnirir U'v a i-* 'rriM’t i (,, Mr. Uan«lnl})h
In *nt'raJl- n’liH!??'* f:i- r i- H hr v. a praUiiir; to au
M.lli M'H? Ui I j ■'« r* f *--rfi str h^rf .1 *iHMrum. '1 1ii u u = pra ft ii*ahh‘
a thr ral! ‘sf I I hr- u nil ’.n flir filhrr hrau»*h “f ( ‘utunM' .•“» ^^an
Hlikiinv. u hi i»ar l ***!^. * H«rivn.| Mitr ilav ti» tlinr with my
fiirihl tirn. \ .Hi Ir'ii -I r'i“ at :i!i laHir rarlirr than tha nrdiiiarv
Uttjmirumnifl uf t!; ■ % I |>'i\r U uahilph Hut inr in thr timiauiui'
uf ihr tua-nv It \ I f • 'AA h,* nmiri Mi' lr:i\ mn uhil t la* wa - : prakitii^
nml nf luv hn irn Im aw» A\ \i li an r\jnip!t* nn anrnimt tif my
Ai pa-um a tu t hr r H'*»' 'h “'’i' MMp»ntrat . Hr piuuii tal (u rlna* hi ^
: prrrli m ^*1 . »m hts! h.»l :•<!, \\ • iti\ hMtii'arriMM! I hrhl tip lllV
wal- h, an»| hr pM: <!•%! I*» t fr' I h-ft anh thr rSamplt* wua
{ nit hiv !« |r Hr.* mriu?(r{ u\ ! hr ttppn ititiii; in a wry !.imr(.
tiuir U r tl.tn' nf Uir >‘'n.itr v, i !..v » i»'U ami tlm Inuly mljmirnnU fnr
want c*f u I In nun n il pt'nrrriiin?.^” hauti‘.r htani cmnn
atittplr'i wa mmu |u a mu nlri Uht* r\frnf, i’un\c‘ittal inln a [»rar^
tirr. iti !hr fHrat .uum .Hf t-f HjiiUnipli uh‘* r vaullv u an W"Utm(lril
In an appairnt ‘mhlh irn^'r f.i h? , pr**rhr uhit’h la* had .addnin tax
prMr*nrr 1 .Hid V. a luflr aldr tn iu’ftiik. d'lii* r i miiu t aili’U : rU ilhlv
in- rna >'d rhr hitlrria- tif In drnnmnahttn . and linally Ird Id that
V, hirli nan rd tlir ijurl l.rfwrrn him 'df and Mr. ria\ whu t* im
patirnt pirif rnnld Um hmnrr rmlnir thr invmdivrr whii’li
inrt’ aiitiv hnrh-d at htiu hv Uamhdph.
Ur Hmmhdpht \ ; !trd \hri'inia t tmi a flrr a trl uhil I 1 hrn* hcnuinn
•ati iirrf that hi » hanrr fur u rrrlrrtitiii ua. far rnnn fa vcinihlr.
ddii . iiirrra rd ihn u**rUiit \ uf hi trlnprr, ami hr rrfurmal fii Wtiah
itiriMii 'Aifh a drlrrmin il iint tn irau* it fnr Unnhiud ahim f immtati
ati'K . Ur ml H mr Ayr Cm itir. ».n Id tii riv ah a kuir' mr (n ml! npnu
liim at In mM tpiaMrt lirin**^ rinrinnl in llin Smiatr, it \vu not in
m\ pirAti t*' d*i »» itrhrr f!},^ ad n nnaiiuriit . nf w hirh I inTHriund liiiu
hv a nt'tr, mhluin ai »» that I hnuld t*\prii him (n dint* willi nu*,
\\ hrii I rnmdmd hi ftnipinp } rnfrrrd what I uppt» t‘ii tti In* hi htal
tMMim hut whjrh prnvrd !♦< hr that nf ^fat k Ah‘\;Htt|rt\ a mrmhrr nf
thr Hmum* fiHiu \hr]uriiita. 1 huind Ihimlnlidi hiHi(t*d ami npnrrrd,
'-trrfrhi'd at full Irfipth nil hi fadh-afuir' . hrd, am! fa ( a h*rp, with
hi Irftris and paprr ..mifrrrt! aluml him. 1 waa «> murh iutrr
t* Urd in ihr appraram t* 'd hi ^ tall and r.iuin Himna r\trmiin|.^ hi*
\ find rhr ImmI f>f Ui«- hrd, .Hid Hi nh ri vHin t hi* frikiu'^' rr i'mhliim'r
fd" id h ainrr !m fhr Indian rarr, t r »m whirh it wna id” prith* In
riann ifr rriiK \\iAi ‘Uar mfnrnil rlap.rd hrlmr \ rntdd Uuiki' Up
in\ mind In aw-lr-ii Uivi. Whrn ” *• irjrhrd mv lnd|finjL?f:i uinl ftiuml
that tin* mrmhi*r . "f thr l);phm;atir ( ‘nrp %M*n* rxprrtn!
sonic of whom indeed liaci aireauy
insisted on returning, but, as I had foreseen, he was easily induced
to abandon that idea, and I could not have afforded iny company
a <n'eater treat than was furnished by his presence. He took the
V<irolc at once, and kept it till a late hour, talking upon a grciit
variety of subjects with more than his usual ability and with the
Uiost entertaining raciness and originality. He began the meal with
cullinir for toast-water, pleading that wine was too strong for him,
but yielding to the excitement of conversation and the grateful con-
sciou>ue^s of appreciative listeners he gradually advanced tlirough
wine and water to wine, brandy and water and, before he left, to
clear lirandy. After the company retired he sat with me 'till long
after niidniitht describing the condition of things in Virginia, and
his reasons for apprehending his defeat at the feenatoidal election,
ilr. T\']er. who had 'till that time always been in the Ecpublican
ranks, woiikl, he said, be brought forward as a Candidate or sup-
ported' by his enemies and his explanation of the causes which
would induce a sufficient number of Eepublican members to vote
with them, brought into 'vdew the hostility which had at different
periods of his life existed between himself and Jefferson, Madison,
ilonroe and others and of which he gave me graphic and very in-
teresting accounts. Having engaged no lodgings, in consequence of
a determination, as he declared, never again to “ have any in that
corrupt liole" (as he called Washington), I sent my servant out to
find a bed for liim and afterwards to conduct him to it.
On the following morning he appeared in the Senate, dressed Avith
imii.sual cure and apparently in excellent spirits, having ordered his
carriage to Ije sent to the Capitol, with his luggage, at noon, to con-
vey liiru to Baltimore. Mr. Calhoun had, at his instance, appointed
him a meinl)er of the Committee on Eules Eund his object, in coming
to the Senate, was to report one or two very proper amendments to
the standing rules of the body.
ilr. Holmes had manifested more sensibility in regard to Ean-
dolph's attack upon him that was supposed to belong to his nature,
and his inflamed appearance after it, in the Senate excited the appre-
hensions of his friends in regard to his habits. His excitement on
the morning referred to was greater than usual and he cai’ried a
huge cane w'hich indicated that he meditated or expected a personal
attack. He took the floor immediately after Eandolph resumed his
seat and read from a paper a series of amendments of the Eules
which he piopo-ed. These with scarcely an exception referred to
aet.s with Avluch Eandolph had been charged and which it was pro-
po.>ed thereafter to prohibit. Among them was one declaring it a
*MS. II, p. 105.
AUTOBIOGRAPHY OP MARTIN VAN BUREN,
:iuy
violation of order in a Senator to make personal references to gentle-
men who had been introduced on the floor of the Senate by other
Senators. Mr. Russell,^ of Boston, Editor of the Golumhian Centi-
nel^ a newspaper which had made a reckless opposition to the War
of 1812, had been so introduced during the session, and Randolph
had attracted the attention of the body to him by a general and
seemingly not personal reference to a notorious feature in his polit-
ical career; it was at that occurrence that the proposed amendment
was aimed.
Immediately after Holmes finished the reading of his propositions,
Randolph asked Mr. Tazewell, his colleague, to take the clerk’s seat,
and to write, as he dictated, a series of amendments to them in the
form of instructions to the Committee,” — designed as answers to
them by successive recriminations. Mr. Tazewell, one of the best
tempered men I ever knew, complied, and when the proposition
which I have particularized was reached, under the impression that
Russell had been introduced by Holmes, Randolph dictated the dec-
laration, as an amendment, that the “ personal reference ” which it
was now designed to stigmatize as disorderly was no more than a
suitable reproof of the Senator who was so wanting in a sense of
what was due to the dignity of the Senate and to his own character
as to introduce such a man within the Bar !
At this point the affair received an unexpected complication.
Senator Lloyd of Massachusetts, a man of undoubted courage, who
felt no insurmountable scruples upon the subject of private com-
bat, and between whom and Randolph there had already occurred
some newspaper sparring, sprang to his feet the moment the offen-
sive words were uttered, announced himself as the Senator who
had introduced Russell, repelled with great vehemence every as-
sault upon that gentleman, whom he pronounced to be quite equal
in respectability to Randolph himself, and indignantly shaking his
closed hand at the latter, declared his readiness to give him satis-
faction there or elsewhere! Randolph, entirely taken by surprise,
sought an opportunity to explain, and disclaimed all hostile feelings
towards Lloyd ; but the latter could neither be appeased or silenced
and continued his minatory gestures and denunciations with un-
diminished vehemence. In this condition of things Mr. King, of
Alabama, called both the Senators to order, and Mr. Calhoun re-
quested him to reduce the objectionable words to writing, as re-
quired by the Rules. Sensible of the difficulty of committing to
paper expressions used in such a squabble, which was yet going
on, Mr. King declined to do so, and in the excitement of the moment
said abruptly, that he would not! Mr. Calhoun, anxious from
^ Benjamin Russell.
127483 °— VOL 2—20 14
what had passed, to do his whole duty when a case occurred within
the Ellies, rose from his seat and, pale with agitation, said ' The
Chair orders the Senator from Alabama to reduce the words to
writing." The Senate at this moment presented a striking tcihlenMr—
Calhoun, King, Lloyd and Kandolph on their feet,^ intensely ex-
cited. and every Senator present inclining from political and per-
sonal sympathy to take sides in the fray— when the last moved
flolibertitc^lv from liis place, whicli was on tlac extreme outer rango
of seats, and passed in front of the Chair to the door, exclaiming
as he walked along, I will have no more of this ! I ani off for
England! Good bye, Tazewell! Good bye, Van Bnren! They are
all against me! They are all against me Tazewell, in Virginia
too ! — and still uttering these words the doors of the Senate closed
beliincl him.
The Vice President and Messrs. Lloyd and King resumed their
seats: Mr. Tazewell returned to his place leaving his unfinished
papers on the Clerk's de>sk and for a little while nothing was said
or done. A sense of relief from the excitement in which Randolph
lived and moved and had his being, as his native element, i^rcvailiHl,
and the Senate after a pause took up the order of the day without,
either then or at any future time, giving further attention to the
proposed amendments.^
account of these proceedings is according to my best recolloclion of IIk’hi, wliich
i.'' iinnsii.illy fre.sli, as the subject is one to which my attention has been frequently
directed, and of whicli I have often spoken. Mr. Tazewell’s omciiiliiig ns Secivlary
entirely k-lt our in the published proceedings, a point in which I know I cannol bo niis-
and a form given to the whole proceedings in some respects more consialont with
t’A* ds-niiy ,)f the body, about which the gentlemen charged v^^ith the publication of the
d..d:uis vrere always, much to their credit, very solicitous, Sofug allowance i.s covUxlnly
due to that consideration, in judging of the partial, and not very important, din’croncoH
t.Vir a(‘count and mine, which I cannot but think conveys with substantial
accuracy their true character.
CHAPTEPv XIX.
All act for the relief of the officers of the Army of the devolution
in relation to their half-pay became a hiiv about this time, and upon
its passage I delivered the speech -whicli will be found in
Its merits will doubtless be found to fall below the reputation it
acquired, yet I derived as much satisfaction from the effect it was
believed to have produced as from anything in niy legislative expe-
rience. The Bill had been long under discussion, and the Senate
had adjourned on the previous day on my motion, which constituted
a notice according to usage that it was my intention to address the
Senate upon the subject. Before the hour arrived for taking up the
order of the day 1113^ friends pi^essed me not to speak as the Senate
had been sufficiently canvassed to make the defeat of the Bill cer-
tain. Louis McLane of Delaware, a. member of the Senate, and a
son of one of the officers for whose relief it was the object of the
measure to provide, backed this advice so earnestly that I was in-
duced to 3deld to it. When the Bill was amiounced the Vice Presi-
dent turned his eyes towards my seat and seeing no intention on my
part, or on that of any other Senator to speak, rose and stated that
the question would be on final passage and was in the act of taking
the sense of the Senate upon it wdien two ladies, friends of mine,
who had come to the Senate to hear me, riiook their fans at me in
token of their disappointment and I rose from my seat intending to
go to them with an apology. The Vice President assuming that I
rose to speak announced “the Senator for New York” and, suddenl}’^
changing my mind, I proceeded to address the Senate, at length, in
favor of the Bill.
When I had concluded, Gov. Branch,- of North Carolina, an
impulsive but always honest man, who had been violently opposed to
the proposed'' me^^sure, moved to adjourn the question saying that
views of the subject had been presented which w^ere new- and upon
which he desired an apportunity to reflect. His colleague, the
venerable Macon, scouted the idea of an adjournment, said that
a good speech had undoubtedly been made, but that law3^ers Imew
how to m_ake good speeches on either side of any question, and
hoped that the Senate would without further debate pi^oceed to the
vote and reject the Bill.
1 Gales and Seaton’s Register of Debates, under date of Jan. 28, 1828, vol. 4, pt. 1,
167-182.
2 John Branch.
“ MS. 11, p. 110.
211
Gov. Brancli replied with feeling that his course in regard to ^ ^
was well known, that he had several times spoken against it, but td ^ ^
he had no other feeling in the matter than a desire to do right ^
that unless the views which had now been taken of the subject
satisfactorily refuted, he would, if driven to the vote, support
Bill. This declaration produced an adjournment. It was soon
covered that others had also given way and a proposition was
mitted to us the next morning that if we would accept certain
ments, of a character not very objectionable^ a sufficient nuinl>^‘*^^
would change their votes to secure a majority. We consented
the Bill became a law^ — gladdening the hearts of many yet
viving soldiers of the Revolution and of the descendants of
departed brothel's-in-arms, by the appropriation of large sums ^ ^
money in satisfaction of their just claims.
Imprisonment for debt, the rigour of which had been great
relaxed by state laws, being still in force against debtors to
United States, attracted a considerable portion of the attention < ^ ^
the Congress. My own efforts for its abolition commenced in i
State Legislature at an early jperiod of my connection with tU^^^
body and were continued in the Senate of the United States in coi*-
junction with Col. Richard M. Johnson, whose truly philanthroj^
feelings made him an enthusiast in the cause.
My plan from the beginning was :
1st To provide for the most searching inquiries into the prr>p
erty of the debtor, however invested, and to arm the creditor wi i U
all necessary facilities to* secure the application of it to the pa
meiit of his debts; and
2d To punish fraudulent concealments as crimes, by confinement ..
upon executions, to the walls of the prison.
Those facilities being secured to the creditor, I regarded evci* v
other lien on the body of his debtor as alike inhuman and imniora i *
and advocated a repeal of the law by wliich it was authoriy^c' 1 1 *
The subsequent adoption of these views of the subject and tUi^
extent to which a practice, that had become^ by inflicting punisli
ment upon misfortune, the opprobrium of the. age, has accordingly''
been abrogated, is highly honorable to the country. Although it
in'ofessioiial man, not wanting in espoit dn corps^I yet must adm it.
that this great reform is perhaps indebted for its success less to
our lawyers and merchants than to almost any other class. I genai.'^ .
ally found them the most obdurate and inflexible in their adhereiKu^
to the old system arising rather from the force of habit than from
less humane or less liberal dispositions. The merchant had beo,ti.
educated to look upon the security founded on the fear of imprisoti...
^Appraved Feb. 12, 1828.
XXV, TT T»xxv vvv/ixxv^ xxj.KJi.Ky ljuj. uittiij' ibsist tue restoratioii or
imprisonment for debt, in the absence of fraud, than those classes.
So certain and so generous indeed is now the indulgence of the
American Merchant to his unfortunate debtor as to place him in
that respect in a more creditable position than is occupied by his
mercantile cotemporavies in any part of the world.
The subject of a Bankrupt Baw was also seriously agitated in
the Senate whilst I was a member of that body. The abuses prac-
tised under the law of 1800 not only led to its speedy repeal but
attracted a degree of odium to the system itself which prevented
its reenactment until 184- ; a spasmodic effort was then made to
close up the appalling chasm which had been made m the business
relations of the Country through the instrumentality of a Banlmipt
law, which, so soon as it had effected a sort of general jail delivery,
was, like its predecessor, sent to an early and ignominious grave.
During that long interval there had been several unsuccessful
attempts to I’evive the system. Mr. Hayne,’- of South Carolina, who
had moved in the matter previously, introduced, upon leave, at the
commencement of the session of 1827 “A Bill, to establish a uni-
form system of Bankruptcy throughout the United States.” It
contained the usual provisions applicable to merchants and traders,
and also a section (the 9Sd) extending to all classes, whether traders
or not, upon the principle of an Insolvent law, and was referred
to a select committee composed of Messrs. Hayne, Berrien, Silsbee,
Smith of Maryland, Johnson of Kentucky, SandforcP and myself.
The proceedings of this Committee and the action of the Senate
upon them have been kept fresh in my recollection by the striking
exhibitions they afforded of the working of that spirit of rivalry
so common to political life and so influential in the business of
legislation. The leading and most active Mends of the proposed
Bill were Col. Hayne, the Chairman of the Committee, and Judge
Berrien,’ of Georgia. They were co-adjutors in politics and among
the foremost in organising and forwarding the Party then in course
of development which had for its objects the overthrow of the
existing Administration and the election of Gen. Jackson. Col.
Hayne possessed a lively imagination and an intelligent and dis-
1 Robert Y. Hayne.
3 Nathaniel Silsbee of Massachusetts ; Samuel Smith, Richard M. Johnson, and Nathan
Sandford, of New York.
3 John Macpherson Berrien.
criminating mind. Judge Berrien was not less highly favored in
both respects, and had besides, acquired a greatei' wanness in debate
bv a lon<r and more busy professional life. They were both am-
bitions and looked forward, as they had a right to do, to high rank
in the party of which they were members. _
When called upon in the Commitee for my opinion of the Bill,
I declared myself ready to vote for a Bankrupt law proper, appli-
cable to merchants and traders, but opposed to the ninety-third
section as unauthorized by the Constitution and in every ^ respect
inexpedient. I was prepared to assign the reasons which had
broii<rht my mind to those conclusions but Avas prevented from doing
so by findins: no disposition such as I had anticipated, on the part
of the leading supporters of the measure in its original shape, to
make me a convert to their opinions. The sense of the Committee
was at once taken and a majority declared in fai^or of the whole
Bill. Differences of opinion in regard to the disputed section were
regarded with indulgence as results which had been expected, and
dissentients ivere referred to the Senate Chamber for the explana-
tion and vindication of their views.
I was certainly somewhat piqued at this course but having wit-
nessed similar proceedings among political friends when acting upon
subjects supposed to be of great interest in the public mind I de-
termined to be no further influenced by it than to give the Bill a
more thorough examination after stating more distinctly to the
committee my intention to° oppose it if the objectionable clause
was retained. I Avent to the Senate intending* to confine mysedf
to a simple and brief statement of the gTound I occupied, notAvith-
stunding that I liad, as I believed, made myself master of the sub-
ject and notwithstanding the feelings produced by my construc-
tion of the course pursued in the committee. I came to this con-
clusion because rny support even of the constitutional parts of the
Bill was little more than an acquiescence in the opinions and wishes
of my friends — my OAA*n impressions being then ns they have been
since that the frauds inseparable from the execution of a national
bankrupt system are iikol57^ to outAveigh its advantages and I could
therefore feel no gi*eat solicitude for its passage. Besides I feared
that I could not present the encroachment of the ninety-third sec-
tion upon a state sovereignty in its details and in the proportions
Avhich the subject allowed AAuthout mortifying the pride of my
soutliern friends by holding them up to their constituents as un-
faithful to a principle which Avas the corner stone of our Party and
particularly so regarded in the states they represented.
“ MS. II, p. 115 .
A nuitiou \vus tn;uh* Ky Uu*. . l-)riuir!i (tt trik»* hu{ \\ir
aihl upon fliis ;uh! Mfhi'r {u(*ticJn' ;t t‘ii uhh'lt thr
J^(‘{IU(«* ftU’ iuurr {liMU ;l \\ hrU Hit* qut* linn \^us ;i!h” 111 In Ih*
lakrii 1 hj.’uln ihn hjirf Jafrimnil 1 rnnf fni| )l:il 1, ainl wliii’li aj)
I'rar in tiu* < ‘mi-Mr inual Uflian-w. 'Ha* nintinn {.uh‘tK aiul (ha
rriaiMii w.i ii tauiail In a \nlf whii’h iiala at***! tha pa.' a‘!;a nf this
!Ulh hm a uintinii In ri-«*n!a i< Ir r \va iua»la l!ir na\t luniaiiin*’
In Sanat«»r liartnn t»f Misiaui, hn li.ul npnn jimri* ri'tlaailnn
aliaiinail hi n|«inli»n alal was imw' uisiiu t tha raatinn. (hi ^hi^: nin-
t InIJ tha ilahati* was lauaWatl aUlhraai iit«; tlia W iinla alhjrt’l alal ill
tlia antir a ni if tin* priuaiplas I hutl liriajl\ ailsaiiaait uri'a i*a\ia\\a»l
tn an a\tan( that mutla it my ilnly in ai tain (liain. 1 thafaiipnn
t!alt\atr«l a |ii rah of anil iilaiahla lalll-tli whlall W as Iinf pulhi Iiail
fnr llr- irarnii a li'liah hv (ialaS jK Sratnil in (hair VnhuiM* nf this
$!alM{<'. nf that :a anu. hut uluah 1 liavi* ahva\ , rayanlail tha
nm ,{ ■ n ar fnl nf inv anatiH’ial atl'nri WhataUT may hava haaii
its mai it , nr It lark nf t!n*nn thaj-i* was nn iliiran*naa nf npininii
a (n it . rtlVaf , upnu t lir ili'pn it Inn nf till* ijtla 1 iniw 1{ plaaatl tha
plan!. inn nf tha iiinaiy tlur*! saatinii in lights that hah tmt hafnra
« atanaa h tn man\ nf thn a w Im u taiuah it anh maha (ham ansinus
tn Mr*t 13 , 1 t,j' n UithnUt an iimnahiata t*han‘S* nf \ntai. h'hav ha
a.ima in nm .r'»|U!-Haa th-iliraatail tn tha Ihll, aUtl, althnlirhi lha \i»ta
nt! tls*’ aaluai a ^ .siih t auf la llv till* -aiua as hafnra, iht" w tmli* Bill
was irirrtah h*, U \nla nf tn 1 h, ( )u mnt inU nf { ‘nl. llaVlia it
wa. rrsMinlnif |ri| tn tha rlrr't (‘nluiuittrr with In st I'llrl ml i: ; tn { rika
nnt thr nhianiiius .ssinii, aiat in that fnjaa ivpnitni tn tha :*"i-ii:itr
w hri r prnira»'ta«l alhni warr maha fnr it . pa ana, hut wiihniii
stlrrr* .
! pnii tha anm li! inn nf my prrrh t!»a Si-nala ailjniirnail ami
h-hxia I hah h It m\ rat Mr is. Ilawu* alih IhTrtrii appinsrhrh
lur with irhrnuMit minphinii ^h' t!ia rnur -r iliin**'?; ha*l takafl atlh
nf ins. ai‘'»*lr I iU plnhaam*^ it, I prnpn .rh tn fhalll (n inin lUa ill
t hr « airiats* an 1 tn talk th** mattai* n\rr nn niir way tn mir Inhsinn .
( hir i'nnvar atinu vi a nf that aaina" aiih mrnr t i*hara*‘trr u tia! tn
Snutlirin laan \!< hri! huhhv aHi'ltrh, hiih/.i* Ika rs n hriU'* a ln*h
in ‘j»rrifv thr pmnnh nf h^ mmpi iint aih that 1 Ir.nl takrn tham
hi siijai a laa hasUin pisrii thriH jra nu tn rsnrrt that I anahh
»»pp«i.r (hr nimSy thirh r« t mn in tirlufr althn' \ hah <!aapprn\rh
nt if. ( nl. IIu\na, hnv.r^rr, WlthtHlf Waltin**’ fnr mv Irply, r\
% ’.-j n i. - ii ' ' 5J f rS.i -is T >,■; . S . I a?*J >•!« | « !« t I'V'S'
a 7 :< - .. r.. : S : ■ ■: ^ r. ■ , . »• r-.u i: l.a. l ,.?■ I.,
tM!-. .. ‘'V na I '*, I 'i, !».»» ^.joi ■ '71 I . ' * - L p.a -5 a> 7 iifi«a i-u., v,
:vs- I ‘ ,:i { -• 7 s,», , ■. i.S uf fM.- Hs^a S nU |a‘»*
t a ■ ■ ■ r. , . ! ; .1 '■ 1 f. ■ >-- • ¥7.. 1; i i' t ' ■ Sa . a l-i \ IWin 5J S»s
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nui'nM iSirnu iu*a.«s »las- ,4 .i-n, 7 ,
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2 It)
claimed that he felt bound to admit on the contrary that I had
mven them distinct notice that I would make active opposition to
the Bill if that section was retained But what I complained
of’’ said he, “is that Mi\ Van Biiren did not state his objections,
which now appear to have been of so grave a charactei, that he
did not make an effort to convince us of their importance and give
us such information upon the subject that we might have been
prepared either to admit their weight or to rebut them.”
I at once admitted that this complaint w^oiild have been well
founded had not cir<mmstances occurred which excused me from
doing what he suggested, and informed them that I attended the
Committee intending to give them a candid account of the [my]
reasons but their attitude compelled me to think that they did not
desire me to do it. We could not agree entirely as to all the facts
on which my opinion was founded, but my statement evidently modi-
fied their complaints. In the subsequent discussions Coh Hayne
made no further attempt to sustain the ninety -third section nor did
Judge Berrien make material reference to it otherwise than to repel
as imfounded the charge he attributed to me of a want of proper
respect on his part for state rights.
Although the Judge and myself were afterwards members of Gen.
Jackson’s Cabinet and our personal relations were ahvays i^espect-
ful they were never confidential nor particularly cordial. From my
first acquaintance with him I felt that the cultivation and mainten-
ance of such an intercourse with him would be impracticable, a
sentiment which surprised me because it was inconsistent witli the
general current of my disposition and indeed then for the first time
entertained, I refer to the fact only on account of its singularity
and not in a spirit of complaint, as the fault, if any existed, may as
likely hare been with myself as with him.
Col. Hayne I always regarded as a fair and generous hearted man.
His course towards me on the question of my nomination as Minister
to England, unjust as it was, did not change this oj^inion. I found
no difficulty in attributing it to other influences than the unbiased
dictates of his own heart. He Avas an improving man and if his
life had been spared would doubtless have risen to still higher dis-
tinction, at least in his own state. He possessed a tolerably good
opinion of his own capacity, but whatever may have been the degree
of this estimate of himself it was not sufficient to blind his eyes to
AAhat was passing about him. The Senate was at that time com-
posed of much older men that at present, who were at least not
less able. One consequence of their long experience in public life
was that they spoke less for effect and sometimes discussed questions
of considerable importance with seeming carelessness and compara-
AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF MARTIN VAN BUREN. 2l7
tive feebleness. Newly appointed Senators often spent portions of
the session previous to the 4th of March on which they were entitled
to take their seats at Washington and much of the time in the Senate
Chamber preparatory to becoming actors themselves, and I seldom
failed to discover in the faces of the younger men of this class a
disappointment in the character and proceedings of the body to
which they had been chosen; a feeling which frequently inspired them
with a degree of confidence and self-sufficiency on their first appear-
ance which the Senate always understood and seldom omitted to
correct in a way alike efficacious and decorous. Col. Hayne was a
}narked subject of this feeling as he was also of the appliances de-
signed to remove it. He entered at once into the debates and without
the slightest embarrassment spoke fluently, intelligibly, sometimes
forcibly but often without the slightest effect. Whilst he was hhn-
self treated with proper respect, motions, arguments and opinions
which he deemed very conclusive, were sometimes disposed of in a
summary and unceremonious wiiy not [at] all consistent with the
weight to ° which he deemed them entitled. In short, altho’ no one
appeared to be specially disposed to thwart him there was an in-
visible but continual filling of his pockets with lead by which his
career was seriously obstructed. His disappointment was always
seen in his expressive countenance and once to my knowledge spoken
out. No one informed him of the cause, but he did not fail to dis-
cover it himself, or to take promptly the steps to remedy the evil.
From originating propositions himself he became obviously desirous
to follow the lead of others — instead of the usual confident and ex-
cathedra way of advancing his opinions they were now expressed
with diffidence in moderate terms with well conceived expressions of
deference to those of the elder and more experienced members of
the Senate. The change was observed and appreciated. He had not
only thereafter no more reason than any other member of the Senate
to complain of its want of consideration for what he said or did,
but he contracted a habit of acting and speaking in the body which
was of great value to him there and would have been equally useful
to him in any after stage of public life.
The revulsion in trade and business of every description in 1837
produced a clamor for a revival of the Bankrupt system from large
portions of the people who had ruined themselves by their own
improvidence. Among the many questions put to me by my op-
ponents in the canvass of 1840 — numerous enough to fill a volume —
and answered notwithstanding the silence in which by their advice
their own candidate was shrouded, there were several calling for
my opinion upon that subject. I took in my replies the same
« MS. II, p. 120,
ground that I occupied on tlie occasion oi wxuou x uecu
ing and in so doing was not unaware of the costly sacrifice I
of votes which I would .otherwise have received.
The subject of the Judicial system of the United States a
improvement was also elaborately discussed at this session,
increase of the number of states and the inability of the .
to do equal justice to all made some alteration in the existi
ganization of the courts a matter of high necessity. Several
were considered one of which I will notice here because I
it involves a principle of great importance and because afl
peated ineffectual efforts for its establishment it seems yet t(
supporters in and out of Congress and will in all probabil
again proposed. This arrangement separates the Justices
Supreme Court from the performance of circuit duties ai
volves them upon circuit Judges, to be appointed for that pi
or upon the district Judges.
Although the attempt to require by law that the Judges
Supreme Court in the event of the establishment of such a s
should reside at the seat of Government has not to my kno'
been actually made yet its propriety has been sustained ir
gressional discussions and it is moreover generally concede
that consequence would naturally follow without legal r(
ment. The struggle for the accomplishment of this object,
avowed but always meant, may be traced through our legi
history for more than half a century. The Act of 1789, fi
ganizing the Judicial s^^stem of the United States, authoriz
Judges to make temporary allotments of the Circuits among
selves, but made no provision in respect to their places of res
So the law remained until the celebrated Act of 1801, pas
the close of the administration of the elder Adams, which pi
for an entire reorganization of the system. It converted t
preme Court into a Court of Appeals, relieved its Judges
Circuit duties and directed the appointment of nineteen '
Judges for their performance.
The appointment of so large a number of officers for life
administration from which the People had already withdraw
confidence, and the extension of the Judiciary so far beyo
wants of the public service, aided by the extraordinary exci
of the period, drew down upon that Act and its authors the j
public odium. The incoming administration of Mr. Jeffersc
cured the repeal of the law, the abolition of the offices of t
Judges, and the substantial reestablishment of the old systen
Judicial officers. Some of the reasons for this change are el
stated. It was founded on observation and reflection and
prejudice. The tide of public opinion on the subjects of tl
diction of the Federal courts and the term for which their
should hold their offices has had its ebbs and floods, and :
Ann belief that the time is not far distant when these questi
be more seriously agitated.
The future fortunes of Mr. Clay became dependent in a ve:
degree upon the success of Mr. Adams. This consideration
his views of the public interest, enlisted all his faculties
struggle. The contest between Mr. Adams and Gen. Jacks
was with great unanimity selected as the republican candid!
an arduous one, but was not, after the lapse of a year, consic
doubtful result on our side. The common rally of the old
licans in favor of the General caused many Federalists, v
supported him in the last trial, to leave him now, and v
exception of a few prominent men in difi'erent states the m
that party went cordially for Mr. Adams. But a zealous in
tween that portion of the republican party who, acllicrin-
usages, had shown themselves willing to sacrifice pex*sona,l
ences to its harmony, the numerous suppoiters of Gen. Jac
the preceding election who constituted the majority in se^
the states, and the friends of Mr. Calhoun, who conti-ollei
Carolina and were formidable in many other states, eiicour:
the tried popularity of their (‘aiididate, and strengtliencd by
management of the administration was too powerful to b(‘. :
and Jackson and Calhoun were elected to the offices of P
and Vice President by large majorities.
The same fall my friends called on me to stand as theij
date for Governor of New York with a degree of imanim
earnestness that did not admit of a refusal, and I was ele
a plurality of more than 30,000 over my quondam friend
Thompson, who was run for the office without resigning his
the bench of the Supreme Court. The anti-masonic exci
which is too well understood to require explanation, made
political demonstmtion at this election. The criminal transj
which produced it were perpetrated in the midst of a dis
country in the -Western part of the state which since the
1812 had been strongly on the republican side in party ;
and owing to this circumstance and to the fact that dis
secret societies had always formed a more marked feature
AUTOBIOGKAPHY OB MABTII^ VAl^" BUEEl^'. 22
masonic candidate for Governor, exceeding in number the majorit
by which I was elected over Judge Thompson, were almost exch
sively given in this region and at least two-tliirds of them take
from our side.
I entered upon the duties of the oihce of Governor early i
January, and sent a Message to the Legislature which convene
at the same time. I received soon after a letter from John Rai
dolph communicating his own and Nathaniel Macon’s congratuh
tions upon the character of that paper. Few men were better ii
structed in the principles of the republican party than Mr. E,ar
dolph and there was not one on whose good opinion I placed
higher value than on that of the venerable Macon.
I held the office of Governor only days and during thg
short period succeeded in obtaining the action of the Legislature o
three subjects in which I felt great interest. These consisted c
adequate measures, to protect the public and more particular!
the laboring classes, who' were most concerned in a sound currenc
because they were the most dependent upon it and the least able t
detect what was otherwise, from losses through bank failure; secoru
to prevent as far as possible the use of money at the elections, an
third to abolish a particular monopoly^ and thereby to relieve
valuable portion of the business of the community from unnecej
sary and therefore injurious interference on the part of Governmen
Of my consistent opposition to the multiplication of banks an
my readiness to suppress and punish the frauds they have con
mitted on the public I have before spoken. I think in these respec
the record will not produce the evidence of any man having gor
beyond me, be the merit great or small. Thoroughly satisfied of tl
hopelessness of the task of putting a stop to the improper increaj
of banks I turned my attention to the consideration of the moi
effective measures to protect the most helpless against losses by the:
failures. Joshua Forman, of Onondaga county, a plain but prai
tical and far-seeing man, apprised of my general views in the ma
ter, submitted for my consideration a plan for the accomplishmei
of my object of which I thought favorably and which contained i
a rough state many of the features of the Safety Fund System whic
was finally adopted.^ I opened communications with those whom
222
AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION.
settled upon the plan ultimately submitted to and a
Legislature. Having an abiding faith in the wisdo
of the system^ if honestly administered, I have reques
Major Flagg,^ -who as Comptroller of the State ha
with its administration, and in whose statements all '
will confide, to give me a brief statement of its wori
out. His reply will be found
The law which I assisted in framing to restrain tin
in elections is still, I believe, on the statute books, a
doubt its sufficiency if the provisions were fairly execu
myself to the uttermost before I left Albany and af
Washington, by letters to induce my political friends t'
stand in its support at the first election after its j
upon them considerations founded on the unprinci
of the practices it was intended to suppress, the spe
upon them to abstain from and resist such practices
purer political faith than their opponents and final]
motive of expediency. I assured them that experie
factorily established the fact that as to the two great
divided the country the spontaneous; feelings of a ]
of the People were on our side; that whenever we wei
result could generally be traced to specific and extr
that with this truth before our eyes nothing could b
in us than to tolerate practices which exerted an infii
elections in utter disregard of the conduct or princi]
spective parties or of the unbiased inclinations of tlr
in the use of monej^ the struggle was altogether imequ
incorporated companies of all descriptions and the n
being generally against them and able to raise more do
could cents and that whilst they paid out their drible
saries, emboldened by their participation, would ca
them by the lavish expenditure of thousands.
I urged them in view of these and other similar
to forbear the use of money themselves, to appoint
meetings a committee whose duty it should ])e to at
and to institute prosecution in every case vrhere th(
to believe that the law had been violated. But my ei
availing. Kot a single committee was appointed or
my Imowledge made to carry the law into effect,
as a dead letter on the statute book ever since. Excu
AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF MARTIIT VAN" BUREN.
c
them. Partisans have since waded through seas of corruption
the profligate use of money in elections — ^neither side has b
free of offense although nine tenths of the effects produced h
without doubt enured to the benefit of our opponents.
I have ever advocated the abolition of patronage that was ;
acquired for the despatch of public business and limiting the
terference of the Government in the business concerns of the Peo
to cases of actual necessity, and [have been] an enemy to monpp
in any form. Our state being eminently commercial a large and v
valuable portion of its trade was carried on through the medium
sales by auction. The exclusive right of maldng such sales had, fi
the commencement of the Government, been conferred on oflic
called auctioneers, appointed and commissioned like the other offic
of the Government. Appointments of this nature were like oth
usually given by both parties to their political supporters, but
meritorious politicians are neither necessarily or even usually g<
men of business or possessed of the means required to carry
business to advantage, they fell into the habit of transferring tli
official rights to those Vvdio were more fortunate in those respe
for a share of the profits. . A species of official brokerage was tl
kept on foot and sanctioned from the necessity of the case discrec
able to the administration of public affairs.
Looking upon the creation of these offices as an extension of j.
ronage by Government to be a case where it was neither necess:
nor advantageous, and upon the exclusive privileges attached
them as an injurious monopoly, and satisfied that the business wo
be better attended to when left to those who had no other cla:
to be employed than those which arose from established charac
and proved capacity I recommended to the Legislature to abol
the offices and to throw the business open to public comjpetiti
This was promptly done, and the results have satisfactorily vir
cated the wisdom of the policy.
CHAPTER XX.
°I received a letter from Ceii. Jackson, soon afto
at Washington, offering me the place of Secivlary of
United States^ — wholly unsolicited step. T had expre;
to receive tha,t or any othei- appointment at his han
him or to any other person and I have', ea'e.ry reason t<
no advances to that end were ev(‘r made on tlu^ part of
friends. He said in a published letler: “ J called him
the Department of State influenced hy the geiu'rul wish
tion of the z-epublican party througliout the Union.” 1
like every other oflico or nomination save one, he.siou
in the course of my long public life, came (o me without
on my pai’t, direct or indirect, and in tlu'. exemdion (»f tin
stood wish of the great majority of tlu^ political part;
was a member. My election t^) the New Pork State Sei
elective office I ever held, was the. ex<'eption referred t
cumstances under which I tlum (Vlt. mystdf constrained
personally in support of a nomination, which I not <
wish but stood ready todc'cline, have, been unreservedly
earlier part of this work. With that single exception m,
of that abstinence from p(‘r.soi)al efforts to ntapiirc politi
ment, which was once inexorably <I('mundcd by the hah
ings of Northern peopk*, has been uniform. On the mos
occasion of all — when my acts and motives wen' mo.st
assailed — that of my acce|»taHce of the Presidential m
flung before my oppommt.s, including a. large mimlHu- \
been constrained, by views (d' piib|i(‘ duty, to make .such
viously close and cotdidcntial friends, a, challenge upon
to xvliicli it will be admifte(I no oiu' would have veutun
at such a time, who was not W(‘l! assured of bis inviibierai
My second nomiinitioii for the Slat^* Seiiab*! was mad
feet unanimity. Tlu' opposition made, to luy appointmei
ney General, under the Static Government, in l.sl.‘>, w
vidual eftort by Judge Spencer, whose influence in ;-i
had before been irresi.stihle, to puni.sh me for nd'usin/.
his views in relation to the choice of U. S. St‘n:itor, I)
an appointment against which there waB not, until tli
a known dissentient in the f)arty to wluelt we both 1 h
appointment by the way, of which lu^ was, at an tau
ArT()iU()t;i:Ai‘ii V of MAirnx va^n burfk. 5
tlio iiivst to si!,a*ovs( tlu‘ {if iu'ss and of wliieh he was an advocate in
ids favor was changvd into hostility in the way T have stated. 1
principal features of th;d. allair liave l)cen d’escrilxH! already ii
I will only athl Iumh* (Iu‘ (mis'. Inmpkins (hdavixl liis (‘astini>’' v(
at the ( ouncil, iudween ♦Iudi>\' Woodworth and nvyself“<>*ivin<>;
it a (inasi-pnhlic character by annoiincino; it at the Ca|)itol— ;i
declared in ^irivino’ it that he de(‘idtal (he qia^stion in rny favor
caus(' he ludieved nu^ to he conipehait to disclnu^ixe the dlities of
odice and hecause lu' kinev that ni\' api)oin(inent was conllden
expected hy the paify hy which 1 h‘ had himself I)een el(‘cted.
this it may with truth lx* adikxl that ihow. was at ih(‘ niomcait so
<‘oohu‘ss Ind wixm tlu'. ()ov(*i*nor and inysidf <>’rowini>; out of his :
point numts in my (‘(uinty, and that altlio^ th(‘ <|uestion ni)on the
\'ote ol ih(‘ ( hiinci! was jKmdini>‘ ludoiv him sonu' days, ho was ]
appi’oa<*lu‘d upon the sni »]<*(•(. (‘it her hy mysi'lf or i)y any of i
triends, to my knowI(‘d<j^(‘ or l)eli(‘t, Ilavuntj;’ h(Hvn removed fr<
the <)fli(‘e of Attormw (hmera! undei* cireumsi anc(‘s alr(‘ady noti(
1 was, upon tlu^ return of my politi<*al fihmds to pow(‘r, appoini
U. S. Senator, without- disaiiTcxmient amoni»; tluan. After the (
piralion of six vaairs, my ih* iiomimit ion in eaiieas was ma(l(‘ w
groat unanimity and re<‘(‘ive(I no oj)position in the Ix‘<j:isla,tnre sj
from my political oppoiumts. My nomination for tlu^ oHic(‘.
Oovernor was also mad(‘. wit hont opposition, and a,<i:ainst. my wisii
hy a. Statc^ ( otnamtion. Of my appoint namt as S(‘(‘r(‘tary of Sti
1 have just spokiUi, and to that, <d* Minisltu’ (o Ihiidand th(‘re was
dissent, save hy tlH‘. ant a/i:o!dsts of my [)arty. 1 was mad(". a. (-aii'
date for (Ih*; oflliH’ of X'ici'-Pri'sidtait ot th(‘ Ihdhxl Statics in pur:
aiHX'i of lh(* spontaiU‘ous and united dcanand of iho dem<xa*ac‘y (rf i
Nation; a- (aauplimentarv vote was gi\(m in Ooinxmlion to two otl
^(urthunen hy th(‘ d(*le<rat(*s <d* tla^ir r(‘sp(‘(‘t,l V(‘ Stahls, who w(at%
point- of fact , as (Vicndly to my s(‘leetion as \vm\ tJiose who advocait
it from the first, hut the nomination was foiiliwith made una.nina
in form as it- was in tlu‘ wisluss of t!i{‘ mass of t!u‘ demo<‘ra(i(‘ party-
T reveivtal my nominat.ion as tlu^, democrat, icj c.andidat{‘; for t
office of President of the Unitcu! State.s from the National Deai
cratic ( onvemtion of and a^ain, aftm* a four yt‘ai*s ineumlxmi
from a similar convention in 184Q^ by the votes of ev<
those bodies. Defeated in 1840, thro’ well understo
great majority of the democratic masses rallied for i
circumspection which the latter evinced in every step he took in the
Judge White declined and I became better acquainted with the persoi
parties, I had no diflaculty in understanding what before appeared ii
no special claims upon the Judge, but it cost him a great effort to
General, who admonished him, as well as his wife (after his second
usual unreserved and emphatic way, of the consequences of the £
to take. But Mr. Bell, of Tennessee, chosen Speaker of the House
the votes of the opposition and of democratic members disaffected to
administration, and Mr. Webster, by his attentions particularly to
Judge’s family as well as to him, overcame his scruples.
I have always believed that if I had possessed a tithe of the skill
ment and of the spirit of intrigue, so liberally charged upon me by :
upon the strength of which they gave me the title of “ magician,” I
aside the opposition which sprang from that source without mu
Speaker Bell, tho’ not one of Judge White’s closest friends, doubt
action in the matter by force of superior capacity and knowledge,
for political intrigue and occupied at the moment a position of dil
from the circumstances attending his elevation to the chair. I recei
of a desire on his part to hold a confidential conversation with me
invited to dine with a mutual friend well disposed to his advancem(
fore hand) that the Speaker would be the only other gentleman invit
the subject of the Presidential election would be introduced and co
the shape of the suggestions that would be made. Bell and Polk W(
rival interests in Tennessee, and the treatment they might respective!
from the new administration, if I should be elected, was a matter o
After the ladies retired, the subject was, as I had foreseen, introduced,
ache compelled me to decline the conversation and to retire almost
separated ,with the significant expression, by the Speaker, of a hope
have a tooth-ache when we should meet again. This occurred shor
mencement of the session of Congress of lS.^4-5. Some days thert
last day of December, when Mr. Adams delivered before Congress, 1
Life and Character of Lafayette, another attempt to converse iipo
made. The Senate repairing to the Representative Chamber, I, as tl
of that body, was of course placed by the side of the Speaker. He i
ject by an expression of his regret that the republican party wms to
nomination of Judge White and the satisfaction he would derive
adjustment of the matter, and proceeded to say that such progrei
and such a point reached as made it indispensable that whatever ^
arrest it should be done immediately. Determined from the beginni:
planations as to the course I would pursue if elected, in regard to
I put a civil end to the conversation by a few general remarks in i
that the friends of Judge White owed to the republican cause and m
they could not so- far forget it, as well as their interest, as to disr
course indicated, and closed with an observation on the speech which
in front of us.
Struck by the peculiarity of the time and occasion selected by tin
communication I turned with greater interest to the corresponder
White and the Tennessee delegation (Mr. Bell being one of them), so
and found that it was only on the previous evening that the delegatio
consent to the use of his name and that there was therefore great rea?
manifested, arising from the necessity for speedy action.
It was immediately afterwards announced in the Tennessee newj
regarded as the Judge’s organ, that his name would not be witlidra'^
is known. His resignation as Senator and final retirement from pr-
of the extent to which he had been deceived and used, and sick o
immediately upon the result of the election.
WHien his old colleague, Mr. Grundy, reached Washington, I inquir
and was answered by that facetious and worthy man as follows ; “ Y
Al’TOBHUlKAPil V OB iVlABTIN VAN' illOiKX.
of their overtlu'own pi’inciph^s, by Hu' iiist I'linu'iitalily of in
elevation to the Pri'sideiH'v. More') than thrtH‘ fourths of flu* ^
instru(‘te<I their (h‘Ieii;ates i‘ither in expnsss tiuaiis, or thro' u
iakal)l(‘ avowals of their prideriuu-es, to voti^ for iny noinin:
''.riu‘i!‘ wislu's wcn*e, how(‘ver, (lid\‘at<‘(l at- th(‘ Ihiltinioi’e ( on\<*
hy th(‘ intrio*ues of politicians of which a lirief notic(‘ will he
at tlu‘ pi'oper pla<‘e.
I'lu^ uiujualilital rt'solut ions of n‘sp(*cl and <^ontid(‘nci‘ adoptial
(‘nt.ii*t‘. unanimity, hy both hi'ancluss of the* Le«i;islat urt‘ of Xmv
on my resi^^nafion of th(‘ otlic(‘ of (lovernor, with tlu» fct‘lin
personal r(‘<i:ard manifested hy lh(‘ <*iti/a‘ns (d’ Albany, wit lion
tin<‘tion of partii's, was the first /< /• up in party violence^ that
(*\<u* i‘Xperi(mct‘d. 1'h(*S(* (‘xhihitions of friimdly ami liln'ral :
numts, comini»% to a I’onsidiU’alile t‘Xtimt. from men iK^twiam \
and mysi‘lf tluu’i* ha<l ht'en, for about a (luartm* (d* a cimtury, a (
less partisan <‘ont(‘st, always mor(‘ or l(‘ss a<Timonious, atlV(’t(‘
<li‘t^ply I ma*d not. say, most- an’i’inaihly ; not sohdy on mv indiv
account, hut on a(‘count also of flu* (‘videma^ thi^y prwamltal
tlu‘n‘ lies at (hi‘ bottom of oui' party divisions a mass of klm
o'mKuauis tVidinn's, on all si(h‘s, waiting only tit oi’casions for
dis{)lay.
On my way out of the city I paid my last visit to the \‘i‘ne
flohn d'aylor, then supposial to h(‘ on his diaith lusl; a sad anti
tion which was soon rtadi/aal. (Jov. Taylor was m^ ordmaiw
h'rom a comparat i v<*ly ohscurt* lamdition in lifo he liad by hi ;
unaidisl tdforts raisial himsidf t(j a position of mueh infliam
t!u\ (Jovernnumt, and t<i the tirst rank in soi’iety. h'roiu thi‘ b
nin;Lr a <i(‘vot(‘d pmvonal and politi<‘aI frmmd <d’ t h‘oriU‘ Cdint<
m‘vm*t ludi‘ss cult i \’ated frimidly and so<»ia| rtdation*; uitb tie
S(‘hu3’ler, (iiMHU'al Hamilton and many ot her dist iuyuisluMl fei
ists, and tlaUH^ wmv, for many yisars, few pri\at(‘ taides at \
ban lino; and muiiumt men of op})o::in^ polit ie : were mon* fn»t|u
assmuiiltai than at his muu* I'eiiaiuly at whieh a yeiuu'ou,;
ede^'ant liospitality was mon* iiln'rally dis|am* i‘tb a irnit ific-at ii
which an amph‘ (estate, at‘({uirc(| by his own iudnslr\ ami ul
reproach, enabled him freidy to indulyv him clf.
On my first enlraiu'e upmi pubTh’ lib* hr Iraird me witli
228
AM Kill i \\ X I i isr« >!; i t W! , \>S( H • I A ri« > X .
llo (vpix^sed, as has hiaai I’rlatiMl, tlu‘ lun ut fl
for ilu‘ I h*t‘sit haii’V in In duiiiL*' it mu I nn\
that ht‘ acitMl a wi-MU’ pai1 than I 'li«h aial I ha\<‘ Ih
( o th(‘ apparent a'-pfrity v\ith uhi<‘li, on lliU i»i‘.‘a ioi
niv cnursn iti thn Stati* ( amai . liat, a . ! luur al
his (lispositi<jn towaiah t io\ orn(»r (hinf«ui ua- nh
chan^'tah ami whnn tin* laUrr imiaima tlfia!l\ rpara
repuhlii-an ijarty, <io\. ‘Faylnr' hn\*j: uulnhuMl p:u1
(hintons pri^\tMl lot>;tfonir to p!a‘Mmt him noni ahop
(•(MirM*. F'l'oni that pt‘ri«nl to fin* «la\ of hi dfath
to tamh otht*r in pihitiiv-, hut lltma* nrvrr v\a a tuna \
in^s towaial-H him \\rr<* not of ilu* kimln t rhara* tn{' a
e\'(‘r ha\a‘ dotihttal hi i'onlinl roi’iprorat ion of tlam
\vouhI ha\i‘ boon t‘th*ctnall\ ramiooil l»y our la i intr
Appri-r«l <tf m\ intontum to oall i»n tiiin ht* ha>l
to Ih‘ , up|»ort»‘<| in a ittnm po nion ami ua atf<m«li‘
adoptial danahtnlA Mr . i ‘ooptun om* td’ llm h*-
'Faking' lu) hand, at tir. t, in !»otti <d' hi.^ oun and i'‘*a
hv until I loft, v^ith sHiuy iioi <d' rnynud, la* rv
and i inprt*>.,>^i \ tdy to hi - ou n hopnln .n nondifton am! t
iiupi’ohalulity «d’ our r\rr im*ftini5 ayain in liha am
narim-tU ami fta‘lnnrl>, of oijr pa t ndation of tin* I
during; \\hit‘h had aatod toyntlmr in tlu' , »*i \ iar
of till* oi’oasiono on whirh hail iakmi diflVrtmi \n u
inhu'fvt and <d' tin* inoimailary {*\«'it muimt fhf\ h
dwflt upon thn la* .ptM*t and kimlm* - I had t*\|ond«*d
tina*s, ami a . tirnd im* in Vnrv yratilyiiitr uoiil:- of
opiniiur- la* had fornmd id’ !m\ nliararnna Il«* thfi
tim :-aihj(‘nt of iIh* j(jnt ni*\ tipon ultirh I hail tarhal, \
upon wlFu'h I \M\ ahi»ut to nufma and in llatUu'iiur i«n
\\hi<’!i mitdu h<‘ ant i»'! pat «*d from thrm if ia\ !tifur<*
dr ori‘ta a tin* pa ! had app»*arrd to iiim to hau* Ih‘
tim cxpia* nut at a ;ii*'orr v. i h thai my Inturo lifi
happy <»no and I li.u ni\ j •..! n '■•.}! .'j r.^r in ndii l.rta'ov*j
p!nt«‘ viH'on , ho orois* fni* a final an i a U i uia n ■
I mnal not. ;-'a\ ho-.\ rordadiv I for : pr. .ojO'r i ih-.'
rt'spnnt and rnyard '^mth v. hu’h th>' d;uu<‘ p;i!r;o} h<.i
AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF MARTTK VAN BITREN.
ney was not a- little a«*£>Tavatecl by the accoiints which
froHi frieiids wlioin I met on my way of the condition c
Washino;(<)n. Mv. Woodbuiy arrived at New York a
retired for (he nio*ht, and knowing' that I was to lea,\’e c
morning, he obtained permission to see me in my iHaheha
enumeration of the friends who were dissatisfied with
tion of the Cabinet, and the dispositions tluw had ind
rendered more imposing by my knowledge of his usual d
speaking of such things. Vet whilst I placed mu(‘h co
his good s(ms(‘ and r(‘gaid to truth, I was Avcdl ap})rised o
of his disappointment in not having been himself selec
Cabinet, as he, pca-haps, ought to have been, and was tl
cliiual to make liberal (haluctions from his description on
the natural eth^ets of such a (‘ondition of mind upon tl
inost. nunn At Philadelphia. 1 had a. long and gloonn
with Mr. and Mrs. Livingston also just ri-oin, Washington
ingstoirs situation was, in om‘ r(‘Sj)(‘et, th(‘ rev<n‘st'. of Wo(
he ludd in his j)oeket Presidtmt rIackson'’s unconditional <
mission t(^ hh'anct' -th(‘‘ oidy phuH' hi‘ desirial to oecaipy.
d(‘S(*ription of th(‘ unpromising s(att‘ of things at t.lu' W
was notwit hstanding st ill mor(‘ (an j)hasizc‘d than the fir-st
in r(‘gard to matten-s whii-h wcu'e pcaadiaiiy within th
t’emal(‘ cognisance and which, tho^ not of the higlu‘sl,
(‘onsidtu'able importance. -On probing the som*ct‘s of thei
dismal foiadodings to tlu^. bottom, I was gratified to di
Mr. Livingstoids confidemee in th(‘ strong sensca pei’lVct
unconcjuerabh' fiianness <d’ th(‘ Presiihmt, which I had a
ganhal as the promising leafma's of his chara(*t(‘r with i
his new position, had not sufFercal an^' abatianent. lie '
satisfied as h(‘ (‘Ver had beem that no man or set of men
lead th(‘ Ceiuu'al to do an unworth_y action, and that I
ness to h(‘ar a.nd respe<‘t (‘ouns(d Trom those*, who migh
instructed tlnin hims(‘if, in I’espead, to parthailar points, n
all cir(annstamc(‘s be reli(al on. An apprehensioFi, idun
tissumption that an influence was (VxeHeul oven* the lh*esi
would, in th(^ natural course of things, in resp(‘(‘t to tin* s<
of the Presidenitial Mansion, l(*ad to d(‘gi'adation and c
230 AMEBICAIT HISTORICAL ASSOClATlOlsr.
made such to induce me to take early and effective steps to j
or to remedy the evils they apprehended.
Thus far were those intelligent and estimable people froii
seeing what soon became obvious to qualified observers, that
dent Jackson’s receptions at the Presidential Mansion wou
tainly not be considered inferior, either in the cost or brillia
his entertainments or in the grace and dignity with which his
were received, as well by himself as by the female members
family, or in the genuine hospitality which they dispensed, t<
of any of his most distinguished predecessors.
But my strongest “pose” was reserved for my arrival a
Castle. As our boat approached the wharf at that place I
nized among the crowd, as I expected to do, my particular
Mr. McLane, with disappointment and deep mortification st
upon every line of his intelligent countenance. His personal
pations in regard to the composition of the Cabinet had been
and, as he and his friends supposed, better founded than those
Woodbury. He took my arm as I stepped on shore and pr
that we should walk on in advance of the stagecoach, whi(
sufficiently delayed to give us a tramp, not a little fatiguing
in my state of health, but which gave him a fair opportui
relieve his mind, so far as that could be done by “unpack!
heart with words.” He took the 'parole at once and kept i
the coach overtook us. In the course of his excited harangi
such it literally was, he described, in the earnest and energeti<
ner usual with him when deeply moved, the degraded condii
which he thought the administration already reduced thro’ t
vice of the evil counsellors by whom General Jackson w£
rounded, and in conclusion referred to a letter that he had a
to me at Albany immediately after the selection of the C
In that letter, after saying that such a Cabinet required no co
and that he could not see how it could command public coni
and raising a series of objections to the official arrangement, ]
mitted to my reflections wTiether the interests of my friends
the Country required of me the sacrifice of assisting in an atte
repair its defects and to give strength to the administrat:
AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF MARTIFT VAFT BUEEFT.
There were unfortunately many others who had been prom
and active in the supj)ort of General Jackson’s election scarce!]
dissatisfied with the Cabinet selections. The best known and
influential x^oliticians of this description in Virginia and in S
Carolina very generally shared in that feeling ; and what made
matter more embarrassing to myself was the fact that they cc
tuted a class with whom my relations both x)ersonal and pol
had been the closest, who passed as my zealous friends and
had been from the beginning and to a man, in favor of my 1
placed at the head of the new Cabinet. General Hamilton, of £
Carolina, a very prominent man amongst them, told my friend <
breleng, as he infonned me by letter before I left Albany, tha
T went into the Cabinet I would cut my throat.” There was ]
ably not one of these malcontents more disai)pointed than m
by the composition of the administration. I had been, perhaj;
too great a distance to be conveniently consulted on the subject
the President elect, if he had been that way disposed, but my a
tion had been throughout directed to other quarters. Except
Ingham, the new Secretary of the Treasury, I had not heard
either of the successful gentlemen had been x)Toposed for the ^
net before I received the news of their selection. It was beside
in my power to regard some of them, though deficient neith
character nor in social or general respectability, as well adapts
a satisfactory x)erformance of the duties to which they had
ax)]3ointed. Thus situated I could not allow any consideration
involving a sacrifice of personal honor to prevent my acceptan
the President’s invitation, and I continued my x)rogi'ess to the
of Govermnent with the same determination with which I hac
Albany, that of contributing all in my power to secure the sr
of the administration.
It was after dark when I reached Washington and the coaci
barely arrived at the hotel before it was surrouned by a crowd o
plicants for office whose cases had been deferred until the Ca
should be full. They followed me into and filled my room, v
from a sofa on which my health compelled me to lie, I informed
that it was my intention to pay my respects to the President v
an hour, until the expiration of which time I would listen pati
232
AMERICAN- HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION.
person at the seat of Government and disinclined to report i
of such as did not leave their cases to the justice of the P
and go home.
A solitary lamp in the vestibule and a single candle in th
dent’s office gave no promise of the cordiality with which
notwithstanding, greeted by General Jackson on my visit
Wliite House. I found no one with him except his intimat
Major Lewis. His health was poor, and his spirits depr<
well by his recent bereavement of his wife as by the trials
sonal and political friendshij) which he had been obliged
counter in the organization of his Cabinet. This was our fir
ing as political friends and it was certainly a peculiar featim
interview and no insignificant illustration of his nature
received with most affectionate eagerness, at the very threj
his administration, the individual destined to occupy the fii
in his confidence, of whose character his only opportunities
anything by personal obseiwation had been presented during
of active political hostility.
Ho soon noticed my exhaustion from sickness and travel a
siderately postponing all business to an appointed hour of ■
day, recommended me to my bed.
From tliat night to the day of his death the relations, so
official, always political and personal, were inviolably ma
between that noble old man and myself, the cordial and con
character of which can never have been surpassed amon^
men. The history of those associations I propose to relate
accompany it with an unreserved publication of our entii
siiondence. But before entering upon this work it may h
that I should give a siiceincr. account of our personal and
intercourse from the commencement of our acquaintance to
of his elevation to the Presidency.
I was presented to General Jackson for the first time, a
ingtoii in the winter of 1815-10, whilst on a visit to that
which place he had been called by the exciting contest tl
out of his Seminole campaign. Partaking of the extraordi
terest which he inspired wherever he went I sought an i
tion to him at the verv' moment of his departure for Tennei
AUTOBIOGRAPHY OP MARTIH VAN BUREH. S3
Stjito stood (it fovoi’-liGiit, iind liRving l)66ii invited to 3 / public din
ner by the Tainniany Society, which constituted one of the leading
interests in opposition to Mr. Clinton, he gave a toast, when calle(
upon, highly couipliincntary to that gentleman. We were of cours
very much stirred up at being thus snubbed, as we considered ii
by the gallant General, — more so doubtless than the occasion ca]le<
[or. He not only was no politician, but was, at that time, openl;
and zealously advocating the mitigation if not the entire suppres
sion of party divisions amongst us. It may be very well doubtec
whether lie made himself at all acquainted with the nature or exten
of the controversy in which he seemed to take a part. We invitee
him as a, meritorious Chief wdio had rendered the Country great serv
we could not think him capable of offering an insult to hi;
entertainers, we could well afford to allow the right of opinioi
in its fullest latitude, and there was, it must now be confessed
enough in the character and public services of Mr. Clinton to jus
t ify tile Genera Fs admiration and respect, even admitting the im
putation of [lolitical infidelity which we preferred against him t(
have bcHui well founded. The General was, moreover, in those days
ns T liave just intimated, an advocate of Mr. Monroe’s amalgama
lion ])olicy, whicli we, on the other hand, regarded as the gros
delusion wdiich it proved to be, — an opinion in which Jackson, be
foiav ihc'. end of bis first Presidential term, not only cordially con
curred but was inclined at times to carry too far in the opposit
direction.
Tie made his appearance in the Senate in the double characte
of one of the Senators from Tennessee and her candidate for th
ofiice of President of tlie TTnited States, and among those who op
]x>s(h 1 his elc^ction to the latter place there was scarcely one mor
a.(‘fively and zealously employed than myself; an opposition whicl
extended alike to^Mr. Adams and to himself and which was neithe
relaxed nor iniei’initted until the final settlement of the questioi
b\' the ITonsc of Keiiresentatives. But these differences did no
jirodncc the slightest ti^ace' of ill blood between us. Our persona
intercourse from the day we met in the Senate to the end of th
severe Pi*csidential canlvass of 1824, was, on the contrary uniform!;
Itho’ fdrcinn stances occurred which, unes
234 AMERIOAK HISTORICAL ASSOCIATK
In that letter he said : — “ Every thing depends
of your ministry. Now is the time to extermi
called party-spirit.” Whatever may then have 1
of Mr. Monroe’s feelings in respect to the Gener
not deem its immediate adoption either safe or
been elected as the nominee of a party caucus ai
of two Presidents in whose support® a similar
employed. To have pursued course like thai
him by General Jackson, under such circumstanc
state of public opinion, could not have failed t
to his administration. He therefore wrote to th
orate answer, complimenting his liberality but
inexpediency of the course he had proposed. Ii
first term was about to> expire and his re-electi
had been carried, with only a single electoral v(
the whole Country, Mr. Monroe became, as I ha
described, ready and anxious to carry into effect
mended to him by the General four years before,
sued by his administration to that end was conti
sentiment of the republicans and was met with p
marked hostility at two points, as we have seei
York and Pennsylvania; the demonstrations a
dent’s iiolicy in the former state growing out o:
of a postmaster at Albany and of the nominatioi
and out federalist, for the office of Marshal of th
of Pennsylvania, in the latter.
Both of the Pennsylvania Senators renionstrai
Mr. Monroe against this nomination on the ex
it was made in the execution of that amalgi
which they and their State were opjoosed. It wi
made and they carried the question to the Sen
thoroughly canvassed, and by which body the
rejected by a vote of 26 to 14; the dissentients be
to a man, republicans. To silence the oppositioi
the President, in the course of his discussions with
that State, read to them the letter received in ’
Jackson who was already looked ujpon as a prot
Axjtobiography of marthjt* VAK BUREN". 2 i
ject without resen^e. The interest of the public in the matter <
course increased with the improvement of the General’s prospec
of success and the affair soon got into the newspapers and caus^
a great sensation, particularly in the Western District of Pennsy
vania, which was the stronghold and headquarters of the dem<
cratic party of that State and already much excited by it. T1
Crawford newspapers circulated far and near the charge that JacJ
son had written such a letter. The papers which supported Jackso:
well awar^ that, if written, it could not be successfully defended i
that State, denied that the General had written or that Mr. Monrc
had received any letter of the kind.
Messrs. Lowrie and Findley,^ the Senators, were called out froi
all parts of the State. Findlay, who was in favor of Jackson, n
fused to say what he knew whilst Lowrie, who was a Crawfor
man, although he had taken no steps towards a publication of tl
facts, stated them publicly and truly. George Exehmer, the eve
active friend of Gen. Jackson, applied to Mr. Monroe for info]
mation and he authorized him to say that it was false that the Gei
eral had ever written to him such a letter as Erelimer describe(
Gen. Jackson substantially authorized Krehmer to say the san
thing, declaring at the same time that he had reserved no co]:
of the letter and spoke only from memory. These denials wei
literally well founded because Krehmer’s description of the lett(
was materially variant from the letter itself.
A protracted correspondence ensued, the parties to winch we]
the President, his sondn-law, Mr. Hay, Gen. Jackson and M
Lowrie. The latter removed the technical grounds upon whi(
these denials were founded by setting forth the contents of tl
letter according to his recollection of them and as he had declare
them to be and called, in respectful terms, upon Mr. Monroe i
publish Gen. Jackson’s letter, a demand which he thought hin
self entitled to make as it had been shewn to him to influence h
course in the performance of a public duty and without reserv
Mr. Monroe refused to explain. Lowrie was thus brought i
collision, upon a question of veracity, with two of the most powe
ful men in the Country, and the Jackson newspapers, as well j
tBn«A in favor of other candidates, revardin^ Crawford as tl
AM KItU’A X f I ISTuKlt’A! . 'iA'I’ii ‘ A
2:U)
!u<um‘iii wlu‘n iny udiMUitHt ha|>|H‘iu*il tn hr .iirr*’!
nv\i ii) him 1 |H*n*riMMl thaU <hi u|itaiiii!r <
ii(‘{iiriir(l \'t*r V I >a It‘. | o iiiv aiu jiiii'y a -Mu I Iumm u «• I
Srr aiu! on (‘xauiiiiinii.* ilu‘ Irtlri’ ui* ti*un
nuad, dial it tairlostMl a ropy ol Mr, Mmu'tH* la
from <u‘n. Ja(*kr(ni which t!u‘ Toriurr had ;4a^\u:
I''iii<l!a\A dlH'‘<‘‘>p'‘ wa pai’tlv in Mr, Mtau'or hai
i'r>.idui‘ in that of hi-' .-ini-in-law, Mr. flay, wlio had
\i<)irnt attacks uptut Lowriix It ; urtaincd cwcrythi
•aid hv the latter aiul was act'oinpaniiM! hy a hrici
tn the (dlect (liat tlit‘ wrlti*!‘ hatl hrtai indnccil
eeinii' th»‘ injntici' whi<‘h he u as '■ at tleriiiiA
Struck Iw the delieaey of (lit* atlair iu all its a ;pe
uC the 4 ‘\t<‘nl to whii'h thi‘ po- t* - inn o! • uch a pap
uf a :'ari i’actMiy explanation a,.* tc/ the manner in v
to Mr. howrit*' hand;, miy‘hl he made to imTca
immt . 1 hvdil till* kuii*r in my hand and heclrmcd
rona* to my :eat. lie did so immediately when I
it <-ontt‘nts, that I hail nm Mr. Lou ric rcceiu* an
hatl iumailiately pdaeed tlu‘ enckeure in my hai
Lou rii^ and my ell a ked the tasor ot liim to tak
hi po-::r> ion, to authorize Mr. I^iwrii^ to s4ate |
ncre in hi-< keepiipL^ and to rtd'er th<e.e who de ir
him for that piirposi*. Of tla‘ character of tliaf \
mam who t* fanu‘ was aial i co tvxteiL-i\ i‘ with
whom all wh<* kni‘\\ him homannl ami e-teemed
juu’ity, I tia\e alnanly spoken, d1ie!’e wa ■ prrhap
inai'kiMl in lii- loiur and creditahlr lile than hi
j icrsi >na I t*on{ rnt ion to w 1 1 icii pnolic men a re o of
: niinr tla‘ e\en tenor of hi-= way lie eldom mtaidl
a ifa i r ■ or hei'ana* a party to their e[Uarr'r} , l>ut on
without he itation he I’eplied, \ v ! yc I it
l^owrie i- an hone f \ounn’ nian he ha hail m
him. tfixe mt‘ the paper ; and I will taud !^\
quence-; what they maw"' I isne him thr Irllta*
h th(^ HichmoiuK \hi„ pio.-.t mark, and whieh wit!
» t • it ’ ... a # . . f I . "i ...... I ! . 1 ! r f . . » I *1 1 n r
lemma in which he was placed, by tlie publication of Jackson
ter; a document which Mr. Monroe had dedicated to public i
employing it as an excuse for his official course, to which ac
its subsequent denial the difficulties in which Lowrie had be(
volved were fairly attributable. He also sent his friends .
Baldwin and Speaker Stevenson^ to the President to asc
whether he had received his note and what he intended to do
premises. Mr. Monroe’s reply on both occasions was simply t]
]iad not decided to take any further steps in the matter.
new phase of the controversy in which Lowrie had heretofor
the worst in consequence of the weight and power of his oppo
the tables were turned against them. His friends justified his
tion of the letter on the ground of its necessity to his defens
matter in which it was now evident to all that he was the ii
party and no proceedings could have been instituted to com]
surrender which would not disclose its contents. ISTor was the (
isf action of General Jackson with the course that had been pu
which had been obvious from the beginning, at all diminish
the turn it had now taken. Yv^ien he gave the advice in quest;
was Commander-in-Chief of the Army, with a soldier’s anti
to party politics and not regarding himself, in all probabili
within the range of Presidential candidates. Ydien, several
after it was written, the use was made of his letter which prc
all this evil, he was very likely to become one and was actually
nated by his State a few months afterwards, and his stronges
port was believed to be in Pennsylvania, where the doctrines 1
charged with advancing were especially unacceptable, quite as
so as in any State in the Union, and where from the circums
of the case the Imowledge of their having been so advanced w£
fair way to- be brought to every man’s door. Besides the grej
well understood change in his position, he may have eiiterta:
different opinion upon the point, as was certainly the case
wards. All these things were open to Mr. Monroe’s observatic
reflection and it is difficult to believe that General Jackso
otherwise than dissatisfied that the President should have over
or disregarded them, when, after the lapse of years and v;
even asking his consent, he employed the advice given him in tl
and under the circumstances, I have described.
Doubtless in other respects the course that the matter had
was very galling to the General. He hated concealments,
was no trait in his character more obvious to others or more p
238
AMERICAISr HISTORICAL ASSOCIATIOISr.
his opinions and his readiness to bear any responsibility ati
to the avowal of them. With the knowledge that I now 1:
him, in that respect, I can well understand the mortificai
endured from seeming to be privy and consenting to an <
in regard to his opinions, and the correspondence between h:
Mr. Monroe plainly discloses the existence of this chagrin.
Mr. Krehmer once more stepped forward and addressed '
the subject. In the General’s reply, which was throughout i
ful to Lowrie, after saying that his correspondence with Mr. ]
was private and confidential, although denying the version
letter which he erroneously ‘understood Mr. Lowrie to hav(
to it, he broke through the entanglementsi into which he hi
fered himself to be drawn by a species of special pleading :
to his nature and habits by admitting that his advice to Mr. ]
had been to select for his Cabinet “ men of probity and talent
out regard to party.” This was the substance of the advi<
tained in his letter to the President now expressed with more '
and in a way well calculated to make favorable impressions
minds of large portions of the People.
Having thus relieved himself from the quibbles that ha
resorted to in his behalf by inferior minds, he said, “My o;
and sentiments such as they have been written or expressed,
time, each and every one are at all times welcome to. In
or in private letters I but breathe the sentiments I feel and
my judgment sanctions, and no disposition will ever be ente
by me either to disguise or suppress them.”
He also informed Mr. Krehmer that Mr. Monroe had pla
his letters, at his own instance, in the hands of Major Eato:
a view to their immediate publication. They were publish
everything alleged by Mr. Lowrie in regard to the contents
one read to him was fully sustained by the letter itself, £
course was not only fully vindicated before the Country t
impressions on the minds of his brother Senators which sou^
soon found an opportunity for their gratification by his elec
the profitable and honorable office of Secretary of the Senate
place he held for many years during the most exciting per
mir political historv and discharged its duties with credit to
AUTOBIOGEAPHY OF MARTIN VAN BUREN. 289
favored with ! ” His reading was certainly not of the best and his
penmanship egregious, but there was in him beside punctuality, in-
dustry and order, a personal amiability which won the hearts, and
a firm integrity and sound sense wliich commanded the respect and
confidence of all the Senators.
His seat, while Senator, was, as I have said, next to mine and
that of Greneral Jackson directly before us. Altho’ well advised of
the extent to which Mr. Lowrie had been sustained and counselled
by me thro’ the trying positions in which he had been placed, the
General seldom took his seat in the morning, especially whilst the
matters of which I have been speaking were in progress, -without
exchanging friendly salutatio-ns and shaking hands with both of
us. His respect for Lowrie was doubtless increased by the fact that
the latter called upon him the moment the affair was made public,
gave him an account of the contents of the letter read to him by
Mr. Monroe, as they afterwards appeared, justified himself in
speaking of the matter as he had done, but denied having had any
agency in bringing the matter into the newspapers. The General
■was pleased with his candor and obvious sincerity and assured him
that he should never object to let the letter speak for itself by its
publication.
I had good reasons to know that he cherished feelings of warm
regard towards Mr. Lowrie to the last and, at the time, I was well
satisfied that the whole transaction, so far from exciting his prej-
udices against either imiiressed him most favorably towards both
of us.
Gen. Jackson’s position in respect to the Tariff of 1824, acted
upon on the eve of the Presidential election, was an embarrassing
one. Pennsylvania, a strong tariff State, had been among the first
to embrace his cause and she had done so with great zeal and
power. A still larger portion of his strength was supposed to lie in
the Southern and South Western States, which were all anti-tariff.
He entered Congress with a general bias in favor of protection but
with several reservations, the most prominent among which was a de-
sire to limit Legislative encouragement to articles necessary to the de-
fence of the Country in time of War. Altho’ averse to the prostitu-
tion of a Question so deenlv affecting* the interests of the Coimtrv
240
AMEEICAI^ HISTORICAL ASSOGIATIOH.
efforts of his opponents to prejudice him, thro’ that channel, i
estimation of both. In this dilemma, and following his natura
always strong impulses to defeat the machinations of his em
he assumed a position in regard to it more equivocal than ai
had ever occupied on any public question, if not the only o
his career to which such an epithet could have been applied
any shew of reason. He declared himself in favor of a jud:
tariff ” — an avowal that was no sooner published than Mr. Ch
tempted to scandalize it, for its ambiguity, by a characteristic :
of his shoulders, a toss of his head and the coimter-declarat
well, hj , I am in favor of an judicious tariff !”
The Tariff Bill of 1824, as it came from the House and wt
ported by the Senate Committee of Manufactures, contain
clause imposing a duty of 4|- cents on every square yard of c
bagging imported into the United States— a provision under
to have been specially designed to favor large establishment
the manufacture of that° article at LexingtoUj Kentucky,
provision was particularly obnoxious to the cotton growing S
of Georgia, North and South Carolina, Alabama, Mississippi
Tennessee, upon whose votes the General’s suppoi'ters relied
confidence and the People of which were among his most ze
friends. The numerous supporters of Mr. Calhoun in those S
between whom and those of Mr. Clay — including the respe
Chiefs — ^there existed, at that time, the most bitter animosity,
sonal as well as political, united with the friends and supporte
Mr. Crawford not only in opposing the entire bill but in denom
this part of it with sj)ecial vehemance. They characterized it
tribute extorted from the cotton growing states to enrich Mr. C
Kentucky pets, and the fact that those were the principal if nc
only manufacturers of cotton bagging in the United States
great force to their charges. These circumstances adding the foi
personal and partisan prejudices to a fixed hostility to the poli
protection raised their o]3pugnancy to this particlar branch of
feverheat and led to frequent and earnest remonstrances agains
support that they feared General Jackson intended to give
They often called him from his seat, and as that was direct
AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF MARTIN VAN BUREN. 241
to go for tile Bill, as it stood, notwitlistauding liis repugnance to
the cotton-bagging duty and the anxious wisli of so many of his
friends tliat he and his colleague, Major Eaton, should cause its
rejection by their votes, which they had it in their power to do.
When the cotton-bagging clause was reached Mr. Macon moved
to strike out altogether and when the ayes and noes were taken
upon that motion I, who had until that moment in obedience to
the wishes of my State, voted for the other parts of the Bill, an-
swered in the affirmative, in consequence of which the vote on strik-
ing out stood, ayes 23, noes 24; the General and his colleague both
voting with the majority. Perceiving at a glance that my course
threw the responsibility of the retention of the clause upon his
own vote, he turned around and under evident excitement ex-
claimed — You give way. Sir!” I replied, ‘‘No, Sir, I have been
from the beginning opposed to this clause and informed Gov.
Dickerson, when he reported the Bill, that I should vote against
it unless the duty ■was greatly reduced. Subsequent reflection led
me to regard this provision as an exceedingly exceptionable one
and I finally deteiunined to oppose it in any shape, and so informed
the Governor.^’ Before I had time to finish what I intended to
say he stopped me and earnestly asked my pardon for meddling
in a matter with which he had no right to interfere, declared that
however great might be his disappointment at my vote, which had
drawn from him, under the impulse of the moment, the remark
he had made, he ought not to have forgotten that that vote was
my own and that he, at all events, had no right to call it in ques-
tion; and he pressed me, with much earnestness, to say that I was
satisfied with his apology, which I did.
The Senate almost immediately adjourned and the excitement
caused by the affair was even greater than could have been antici-
pated. The discontent of some among the offended friends of the
General soon found a vent. As my candidate for the Presidency,
Mr. Crawford was a citizen of a cotton growing State they saw, in
the transaction, a plan to weaken their candidate and to strengthen
our own, his most formidable competitor, in those localities, and I
soon discovered, "to my mortification, that a few of the friends of
Mr. Grfi.wfnrrl had ■not, been hffclrwnrrl in coiintenfincino* thnt,
242
AMKIUi'AN* HIS'rn|U<*M. M ’I V'f If ^ X’
So fa!* ^va-' I fnnii wishiriL’* if) aiaT^a »' i uai. Ja<‘l
nitaiis, <4* imirh iff uliifli 1 lia4 a.n iinnliml ii-
had Inaaioii t lu‘ ff ud I'arv, t'av(frahl> imnra <-,l
ino’ in that v<M'y iuatt«‘r aiul by tla* j »ro!npnt adt* a
with whif'h lit* atoia**! lot* lii aarapt addit* !»» it
(•ondut‘1 during' ihf* fKaitiup aratt* «d {h»* lao\iir
and hv hi-. aa‘ni‘ral lH‘ar!ni‘- itiuard nin, an iunhoia
tlu‘ I'n*sidi‘ntial nanva that inv fir t nnpid <a »»■
(‘Xnitt‘iiu*nt that had -prsuin up, wa a dr iiv t.> nd
In thi-: .|ati* of ndnd 1 appnt.i.’hrP hun, nn lii a
Sf'uatn, on t hi* f« dlow inn*' morn nu.’, rrirnrd to|!n* p
piv\iona day and t.f ttit‘ *-<ui irihiion pla‘'»*d tlpon^
his fiataid. atid, to m\ tn'ritl inorl itinat ion, '*ani'! I
MHin* t*\tiait, h\' a iV\s ol niint*, a<huittnt! that ttndnr
rdania*.-., I ounlit tint to ho nr'pia od hy ajoh inlotp
part of ‘/i*a!oii‘ and i*\*'itr»l poll! iriair-, hut a m *
wi'rr iii'V Old hf*lt‘ i‘ntirt*l\ uni<amdi*d, I thou t.ii
fully than 1 wa ; pi'inuitto,! .io on tin* pivumi *1;
olianaotor oi niv olijorl iiui to th«* (lut\, rs'iniudod li
I>ill wa-< rrporto*! to tho Smatr Mr. Maraan aftoi
wmuld undotihtodly n*ni*w hi :iM»tif»n whii'h wouh
tioii up ay a in afti'r tin* oxpiiation of a woak or i wi.,
ho di^appointod if otht*r iuonihor> hy that timo toi
of till* inatti'r that I had ihun* and tiaaf I lin'iuo
wouhl ho of tin* nuinhrr.
A>. I nntioipatod tho motion v\ a thu rmrUiul ,
hta’ii ivportoil to l!io Si‘nato from ll'o roaa.iUto
[ d ohn I I h dino , o i M ai no, oha m'od h : \ t <0 ■. :i * nd :
and tho olau-o w a t i lolo-n out hi a \ mI o . 4 ' '.m o v*'
tin* ( ha i nnan f d* tho : uh ( < at n n 1 1 1 « 1 •, nrado fin n 1 o:
;,f(a‘i* it, luit with no othor ollni iltan to induor ^
tionoral oidloanno. wlio had inadt* a |H‘Oi !i in In
to \nfo aL''ain t it al o. ‘I’ho loriuonl -inofo' tho
y row in IT frionds -nlonlid, and fh*' nio*-ii pa »•«
mind.
Of tin* fuiluro to oloof a Ihaoidml and l ho olo
ArTOlUiKJltAPlI V OV MAIlTiN VAN BUKKN.
243
Fi’oin tlu‘ dtiy wt‘ paritMl a( Washino-toD p, (luv evt'iiino; on wlii<*li
1 waittal on him to (Mitta* upon (ho <lii(ios of (Iu‘ oHico (o whicdi he had
appoin((‘(i me then^ htul Ikhui no piu'sonal in(m‘(*o!irse l)t‘.tween us,
nor any (‘orri‘SpondiMuaM)r t‘omnmni(*aiion in any form, sa\'i^ a forma, 1
lellei- from him int i’o<lueini>c one of his friends, oiU‘. or two leiit'rs
(o him and (lie Nashvilh* ('‘ommi(t(M‘ in i’(‘ply lo calls for my opinio?i
ns (o (lu‘ proptu* eourst‘ to hi* pursutal in i't*sp(‘ei io (‘i‘r(ain points in
tin* eainassd all of which will hi* found in (la* c'orre pomlimci* hiU'i*-
with pulilishedr his lettiU’ of invitation to Ixa^oiui* a immilHU* of his
Cahint't and my ae<‘eptan<‘e of It. 'Phe first infoianation 1u* naa‘i\’(Ml
of my ili‘ti‘rminat ion to support liim, which was eai'ly rornH‘d, could
thiU'td’ona as has Ihh*!! i‘lsewhi*r(* stati'd, have beim only <l(*riv(al fi-om
tin* mnvspapiU’s oi’ from the h*tliU’s of oth(*rs.
^ A 111' Aur. S. l.srs, I'vum W. U. 1 .<‘\vIh iimKIuk I'nr jiolilirnl n<lvi<’(' Is In llu* Vnn
Ilurt'atl I'aprrs, l>ut iiu ul' tills imtnn* from Van Utircu is in>\v (n In* I'ntind rltlnT
in th<* \ an Unmn or .lat'U.Hnn I’jiihts.
It wa * Van Itiiron's inlonlion to nts'omjsmy this autohior.rnpli.v with i«*ttors
I'roiu his pupors an Intiaition ho tUd not ourry ont.
CHAPTER XXI.
On my arrival at Washington I found a very large lui
letters, addressed to me from dilferent parts oi the Cou
our friends, speaking of the state of public opinion in t
spective vicinities in relation to the formation of the Cabi
subsequent acts of the Administration. ° I will not give a
descrij)tion of their contents which were, without any e^
that I can remember, of the most gloomy character. This ^
haps the natural result of the circumstances which atteni
beginning of the new Government. A very large majority
supporters of President Jackson in Congress and of the
politicians who had been drawn to the seat of Government
ness the ceremonies of the Inauguration were deeply disi
with the first steps taken by the President of their choice,
many instances their discontent w^as aggravated by private
in more by the disappointment of friends for wliose adva;
they were solicitous and in not a few by sincere and disir
sorrow in finding high anticipations dashed to the ground,
supposed, by the formation of a, Cabinet of wliich as a whe
could not approve. This influential mass embracing a lai
tion of the, respectability and talents of our party, in retu:
their respective States spread the opinion formed at Was
broadcast throughout the Country. The views they toot
matter and the opinions tliey liad Formed unhappily, to
and influential extent, flowed into cars prepared, not to s
disposed, to credit them. General Jackson was not the c
the politicians, as a body, of any considera]:>le ])ortion of th
Those of them who had enlisted in the support of his cou
Crawford, Clay, Calhoun, for a season, and Adams, at
vious election, during that excited canvass had worked the
into the strongest convictions of the truth of the impressi
had at the first imbibed of his unfitness for the place. T]
AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF MARTIN VAN BUEEN.
It was doubtless from this class of the President’s
that these complaints mainly proceeded. The jiidgn:
masses was still in abeyance.
The duties imposed upon me in respect to these
tions were of an extremely delicate and responsible charf
authors had a right to expect that their views should b
to the President whom they had assisted to elect and
not perhaps have selected a more aj)propriate chann
purpose. They told their story “ free, offliand ” and
strances and advice were not always or indeed generally <
terms which excluded the idea of reproach ; and the pecu'
of the task of submitting such to the President, by one wh
with him were of a character I have clesciibed mine tc
was not a little increased by the circumstances that f
part they came from men with whom I had been cl
in opposition to General Jackson, at the preceding el
personal aasociation with him as a political ffriend w:
few days standing and tho’ cordial on both sides was
reasons I have intimated, at first entirely free from the
ments arising from antecedent events. I have morec
to his state of body and mind, ill adapted to exhibit b
and disposition to the best advantage; still every thing
and heard of and from him impressed me in the stron,
with a conviction of his sincerity, integrity and stra
truthfulness.
I therefore determined to rely without reservation ^
upon those qualities, to submit in their strongest aspect
views oi the course he was pursuing -which were eni
many who had supported his election and to leave ou
lations to the judgment he should form upon the who
With these views T selected from the mass of letter?:
and sent to the President one from Thomas Eitchie, tl
tlie Eichmond Enquirer, then regarded, and I doubt not
my warm personal and political friend, who tho’ he ha
General Jackson with much power and effect in the 1
had, with myself, oi)posed him befoi^e and in a manne
circumstances calculated to excite in him for the moi
rlUH'is " in soiU(‘ (loinTon. II \is all addilional spirits. Hut:, I spo
profound i-(\a'rot, tho substsiuoni apiHuntnuMds have thrown a (doud
fritaids which it. will recjuire sonu‘ tiuu‘ and .arnat wisdom to disi)el
sorry to S(H' tlu‘ p(M’sonal friends of the Hrt‘si(U‘nl appointed; W(‘ Ian
so many of the I0<!itorial Clorps favon'd with lh(‘ pat!*onaa<‘ of Hu' A
lion. A sina'le ('ast' would not havi‘ (‘X(*it(^d S(i mucii <»I)serval ion,— hii
looks as if there were a systtanatie effort, to rewartl Kditorijd Ihirti/a
will have the t‘fftH*(; of hriuaiua tlu' vaunted Liliiuly of the Prc'ss inh
eonleuipt. i make' allowance for th‘i‘ situation of tlu'se aentU'Uuai.
mos4 of them are ahh‘ and (jualilied. d'lu'y ha\‘(‘ fouaht manfully to
('orrupt coalition — 'Phtw havt* foua’ht with th(‘ haltia* round tludr n
not, as .1 have doiuk so nuich in th(‘ <‘onntry of fritmds, as of euemits^
for all thes(‘ thina*'^, and still Uu" truth caniu)t h(‘ disanistHl that
wld(*h shrinks lik(‘ the sensitiv(^ plant from the touch of Kxecutivt‘ 1
he(‘n h(‘edh‘ssly iiandh'd, Invad<* th(‘ fnaMlom of th(‘ pr(\ss and th(^ t
(‘l(*ction, hy show(‘rina patr<»naa<‘ too much on Editors of mnvspape
iMemlua's of (lonavt‘ss, and tlu‘ ria'hts of tlu‘ Pc'oph^ tluunselvc^s an^ <
inindneid. danaia*. I know that this was not tlu' uioHrc of su<*h ai>p<
hut I araiH^ about c//’cc/,s‘: (dTects too not to he hrouaht a]>out hy ////x a
lion hut hy Usss worthy oiu^s which ar(‘ to succiM'd it.
d'h(‘n^ is sona‘ dilliculty under all mnv Administrat ions to know
jn(t (iui and whom to luit In ; and it is (la‘ ria’ht us(‘ of patronaae ii
<‘in’umstanc(‘S that constitut<‘s <m(^ of th(‘ most de-licate* opiM’ations <
nuud. \V(‘ should suppos<‘ that: oiu' pndtya'taxl rul(‘ was for tluMllfud’ i
to <‘onsider otlhM^s not. as madt‘ for himsidf, tlu^ ai’at ili<‘at ion of his ov
and tlie promotion of his own purpostss, hut as a jinhlit* Inisl. to !)('■ t
lh(* UKKst w<u*(hy. I throw out. tliis snaa<‘-‘^i aai h(X‘aus(‘‘ I hav<‘ scxmi
sli*ess laid np<»n the personal pMdinas of the Pr(‘sid(ad hy sonu" wl
sndh'i<*ntly (‘Stimat(‘ tla^ hiah station which lu‘ (K*cupi(‘s. d'luaa* '
tliina. I f 4 o for reform, hut what, is nd'orniV Is it to turn (uil. o
those who vot(‘d against him, or who (hxaadly pri‘f(a*r(‘d I\lr, Adams*
n<d rather those who aia^ ln<*apahl<‘ of discliaraina tladr dun<\s, tlu
the ianonnit, (la* emlavz/hu', Hat man who has ahuscal his olUcial f;
l;e(‘p (Jen. Jackson <»ut, or wh<> an* so weddtal to (he (*orruplions of <
S(*t their fac(*s aaainsi all nd’ormV Is it not to abolish all uuiumh'Ss
and to curtail all unnee<‘ssary <*\)u‘ns(‘sV It sur(*ly Is not to put <!
and (‘xperienetal <d)ic(‘r h(*<*aus(‘ he was a d(*c(Mjt frima! of X (J. ,
in'ih’v (o put in a heated parlizan <d' tla* (*l(*cliou of <len. Jackson, wi
zan (‘hoos(‘s to ipih hims(‘!f on that a<*eount. tla* fritaul of K(*form, I
such a spirit of U(‘form will not. <'ona* lasar to tis in Virf.::iuia. Shoul
hi* s(‘i‘kin^ tla* loav<*s aial lisla^s of f(*d<*ral otUci* in Virj^inia I la»p(‘ I
isjraliim will l>i* \<‘ry <‘an*ful irhiun th<‘y may put <mt, to s(‘rvi‘ s\a*li
.s(H‘ki*r. 'ria‘r(* is ia» man whom I would touch in this <*ily.
'rht‘ coursi* of appointm<*nts at W’ashiujLdon is cal<adat(*d to coed an
some (d' our frii'ials. J'la* t*n(‘mi(‘S id’ tin* Administration aia* <m tin* a!
art* availiiu:: (hems(*lv{‘s i)f al! our (*rrors, whilt* Wi* aia* so situati‘il tl
unaldi* ti> Justify iU* ili*fi*utl llaan. You <‘an scarci*ly coiaa'ivi* tlu*
which pri‘vails. Will yim i*N<*usi* na* fi>r tn>iihlin|^ you with tin* foil
ti'act, which 1 have ri‘i'eiv(*d from Washington, fnim a. pndouml i>
men and (hin.as. Hi* is a warm frii*nd of (la* Pri‘sidi*nt aial no Yi
248
AMEPJCAIT HISTOrJCAL ASSOCIATIOl^
and termination. TTnder the profession of Reform changes
public injury. Let the rule be once known and every im
active partizan of Gen. Jackson will be brought within it.
violent men, alike destitute, I fear, of principle and intellig^
into conspicuous positions, in the excitement, and placed
High minded and talented men, in such a result, will, for
into the shade. The contest will be for office and not for j
impair the moral force of our institutions at home anc
eventuate in their destruction.
“ Should the present Administration go dowui, as I fear
Clay come into i^ower, on his system, I tremble for the
violence, reckless of consequences will then be the order of
gloomy picture, and I wish to God I could persuade mys
colored- I see and understand perfectly all the movements
My heart aches as I make this Extract. Sincerely do I t:
anticipations may be defeated, and that Gen. Jackson may
amid the loudest acclamations of a grateful people. I w^on
was honorable and proper to lead to this result. But I have
I beg you to make no answ^er to this letter. I write in h
Perhaps I ought not to write it at all.
I am. Sir, resp’y
r
Maech 27th 1829.
Gen. Jackson’s note, returning to me the above
seen bears date'on the same day with my communic
was as follows:
President Jackson to M. Van Buren,
I have read the enclosed letter with attention and if tl
would warrant the conclusion the objections would he w€
There has been as yet no important case of removal exc
Harrison ; and I am sure if Mr. Ritchie has read the instr
Ministers, who w-ere sent to Panama, he must think th'
Harrisou not only a prudent measure but one which the int'
makes indispensably necessary. I have referred to the ca;
only, because I cannot suppose Mr. Ritchie has any allusion
comptrollers, who w^ere dismissed not so much on account
for the wmnt of moral honesty.
The gentleman who* has been selected to supply the plac
is, I believe, as well qualified, if not better, than any oth
undertaken the mission to that Country.
t would advise the answering of Mr. Ritchie's letter
delicate manner to put him on his guard wdth respect to
that the President has not nor will he ever make an appointment
a view to the public good and the security of the fiscal coneeri
nation. He never has, nor will he appoint a personal friend to off
by such appointment the public will be faithfully served. I canno
Mr. Ritchie would have me proscribe my friends merely because
so. If my personal friends are qualified and patriotic why should
permitted to bestow a few offices on them? For my own paii: I c;
well founded objections to it. In my Cabinet it is well known t
is but one man wfith whom I have had an intimate and particular
ance, tho’ they are all my friends in whom I have the greatest c
But even if it w^ere as Mr. Ritchie supposes, I have only followe
amples of my illustrious predecessors, Washington and Jefferso
took from their own State bosom friends and placed them in the
Not only this but Gen’l Washington went even farther, — beside
two of his friends from Virginia near him, he brought into hi;
Gen’l Hamilton wfith wffiom, if possible, he was upon more intimi
that I am with any member of my Cabinet.
I have drawn your attention to these facts because I apprehend
friend Mr. Ritchie ° had not reflected upon the subject or he \
have suffered himself to be so easily alarmed. I have, I assure ;
of those fears and forebodings which appear to disturb the repos
Ritchie and his Washington correspondent. I repeat, it would be
you to write Mr. Ritchie and endeavour to remove his apprehension
culty and danger. Say to him before he condemns the Tree he
w^ait and see its fruit The people expect reform, they shall nc
appointed; but it must be judiciously done and upon principle.
Yours respectfully
A. Jack
March 3
Mr, Van Bxjben.
In pursuance of the President’s suggestion I -wrote to Mr
as follo-ws: —
M. Van Buren to Thomas Ritchie.
Private,
Wx\SHiNGTON April
Dear Sir,
I am constrained by my respect for your opinions and esteem
personal character to di.sregard the delicate intimation at the clos<
letter, so far at least as to acknowledge its receipt and to say a f
as to its contents and the direction I have given it.
Owing to the great number of letters I found here at my arrival
my attention yonrs did not fall under my observation until Monda:
After a careful examination of its contents I belicwed it was due i
the President as to yourself to submit it to his perusal, wdiich
on Tuesday morning. He read it with the best feelings and, on re
to me, entered into a full explanation of the points to which yon refer
utmost deference to the opinions you have advanced and respect
author.
I express his sentiments when I say that it is at all times most
to explain, as far as time and circumstances will permit, 1
wliich every public act is regulated.
Disclaiming all reserve with those whom he respects, it w
agreeable to him that you should be fully apprised of the m
that have actuated him in making the appointments to whic
it will give me much pleasure should you visit this city (\
hope you may be able to do) to make you acquainted wit
sure conviction that you will admit the purity of the form
fully concur in the justness of the latter.
Your own good sense will satisfy yoxi of the impracticab
mistakes or giving any thing like universal satisfaction in
that portion of the Executive duties which relates to at
ticularly under existing circumstances. It is not in the wit
I have been here but a short time and cannot of my owi
anything as to past measures, but I have seen enough to sa
man ever entered upon the duties of the Chief Magistrate of
Country with greater purity of purpose or a more entire
honor of the Government and the welfare of the Country tha
incumbent, and I shall be grossly deceived if in the sequel
opinion of the great body of the American People.
Ploping soon to have the pleasure of seeing you I have
the contents of this as well as the fact that it has been wr:
fined to your own bosom, and to assure you of my great res
If to these and such as these disturbing and discoii
be added the obstacles that were thrown into his pai
the Eaton embrogiio, — private and personal mat
acquired political consequence by its adaptation to t
of resentments, springing out of the formation of th
as was supposed, to the elevation or depression of
high positions, — ^we will be able to estimate justty
fluences which surrounded President Jackson when 1:
his official duties.
Having as military commander abstained from fr
of war, because he thought they were too apt to be
the General from a proper and often most salutary
he carried something of the same feeling into his actic
His disinclination to Cabinet councils, springing in
consideration was doubtless greatly strengthened 1
stance that he foresaw, at an early day, the division
broke out among his constitutional advisors, from
which I have alluded, and he fixed his course in the
best adapted to neutralize its effects. But whateian-
his reasons the fact was that for a long time at lej
was to have interviews with the heads of departm
as often as was necessary to the proper discharge
AUtrOBIOGEAPHY OF MARTIIST VAN BXJREN.
their departments. One of the ISTew York newspapers, friendl;
him, whose Editor had visited Washington in mid-summer, s
and I have no reason to doubt, correctly, that down to that pe:
not a single Cabinet meeting had been had for the dispatct
business.
Soon after my arrival I met him [the President] to talk over
general concerns of the State Department. The question that
presented itself for consideration was the condition of our repre
tation abroad, the expediency of changes, the extent to which it
desirable to carry them and the persons to be appointed. As soo
these points were broached he volunteered to say that he had c
mitted a greatr mistake in respect to portions of them for whicl
thought it -was his duty to apologize, — ^that as he had selected
to manage that branch of our national concerns I ought to 1
been consulted in respect to the changes to be made and the s(
tion of the ministers,— that instead of this, induced by consid
tions which he stated and which were, tho’ not consistent, a^
admitted, with the proper transaction of business, creditable
his heart, he had disposed of the two most important Missions
offering that to England to Mr. Tazewell ^ and the French Mis
to Mr. Livingston.“ Having been .apprised b}^ Mr. Livingston 1
self of these steps I was of course prepared to give my view
respect to them, and admitting, as I did cheerfully, that there ^
no two gentlemen in the circle of his friends better entitlec
such a compliment as he had paid them or in whose behalf my
sonal feelings would, on suitable occasions, be more cordially
listed, I yet felt bound to say that, having regard to the chara
of the business to be attended to at those courts, viz: the se
ment of the long pending and greatly complicated questions
tween us and England in respect to the West India Trade and
still older and scarcely less difficult and tedious subject of
claims upon France, I had not been able to satisfy myself tha
had been fortunate in his selections. I assigned my reasons
that opinion, at length, not, it is scarcely necessary to say, ur^
anything against the public or private worth or general capa
of either, but insisting that the public service in those res]:
would be. in all iDrobability, more successful if those Missions
AMERICAN SISTOEICAL ASSOCIATION.
Wirnmmmimrmmmmmmmim
252
expect to be exposed and to submit to the drudgery thro’
final success could alone be hoped for.
* He listened to me with marked attention and, when I had fi:
said, with much feeling, that his own subsequent reflection had
misgivings in respect to the adaptation of the gentlemen ]
selected for the particular concerns with which they were
charged and that the views I had expressed convinced him e
that his course, tho’ well meant, had been an unwise one, addii
nothing could afford him more satisfaction than to be able tc
the offers he had made if he could do so in a way ° perfectly c
ent with what was due to his own honor and to the feelings
gentlemen to whom he had tendered them, which we were
could not be done. But as his offers had neither been accepted
fused, tho’ considerable time had elapsed since they had been
the prominence of the subjects referred to in the public mb
the desire that would naturally be felt by the parties particuh
terested and by the friends of the Administration to see prom
effective measures adopted to remedy what the latter had re
as failures on the part of our predecessors, suggested the
of writing to those gentlemen assigning the reasons for speedy
and inviting them to give definite answers upon the point of ;
ance and to be ready, if they accepted, to start upon their res
missions as early as the first of August then next, which wouL
them four months for preparation. To this he cordially aj
and I promised to prepare the letters for his inspection.
The missions in respect to which changes were resolved u
that interview were those to England, France and Spain. I
last he invited me to suggest a name. I proposed that of Mr.
bury,^ which he prornptly accepted. He had served with him
Senate and as no member of the Cabinet had been taker
New England he considered his location fortunate. I wrote
Woodbury on the spot.-
In my letter I expressed a confident belief that “ in the ]
state of things his talents (of which no one had a higher c
than myself) would enable him to render essential service
Country and acquire great credit to himself and that I was s
AXJTOBIOGEAPHY OF MAETIN VAN BUEEN.
253
had made me the happy instrument of a good act in authorizing
the offer to him of so honorable a mission I looked \Yith much com-
placency for the receipt of his answer, not doubting it would show
that the wounded spirit had been healed, in some degree, at least,
thro’ my agency.
It came, but not in the gratifying form I had anticipated, rather
as a damper upon my feelings. He was very anxious to do what he
could to “furnish the President with any influence in his power
towards the successful accomplishment of the policy of his admin-
istration, as thus far developed, and to obviate misapprehensions,
prejudices” &c; but it was doubtful whether he would be able to
accept the mission, and he wanted information on certain named
points before he could decide. These related principally to the busi-
ness to be transacted in Spain — ^the time to elapse before he would
have to start on his Mission — ^V'hen his salary would commence if he
accepted and how long he would be expected to remain abroad.
Without changing our opinions in respect to the strong points in
Mr. Woodbury’s character or his capacity to make himself useful in
the public service, this answer occasioned both to the President and
myself no little surprise and disappointment. We could not help
seeing that the President’s prompt offer, and the flattering terms in
which it had been conveyed, instead of being received as proof of our
respect and esteem for him had filled Mr. Woodbury with exaggerated
notions of our estimate of the importance to the administration that
he should be conciliated. Yet this w’^as all a mistake. He was one of
the few prominent New England men who had withstood the sec-
tional current in favor of Mr. Adams and remained with us thro’
the election, for which reason, strengthened by the fact that the
Eastern States were not represented in the Cabinet, I was desirous,
sensible of his undoubted capacity, that he should receive an early
proof of the favor and confidence of the Executive ; but there could
not possibly have been a greater error than the supposition that, in
the matter of appointments, President Jackson was ever influenced
by"^ any consideration like that here suggested. The conciliation of
individuals formed the smallest, perhaps too^ small a part of his
policy. His strength lay with the masses and he knew it. He first,
254
AMKRU^AN inSTOrvH’Ali ASS( H ‘i A'no N.
besides })rosonie(l a good opportunity for a brief e\j>t>se
wliieh lie inten<l(Ml to pursue in similar cnsvs. 1 ha\ or
draft, of lu}' reply before me which I insert, as it fuinii:
conhdential character, reliable m'id(MU‘e of the primal
the President, acted in the discharge of his oHicial ilutiej
To Levi W'ooaiu UY.
UrivnlfY
]\lY DKAli Siu,
If you jK'eept tiu* Pn'sidiuit will expoel you (o lojive (!h‘ < 'ounli
due rc^fA'urd lo your private atTairs will allow, so tha( ytni an
heyond lli(‘ first, of August. fH‘iay iu tlu‘ departurt‘ aiul dispatel
of our Lonupi IMiiiisters was a vice oi' iho late adiiiinlstrutlon
(Uuuned tluui and luusl not pra<aie<^ now. 'riu‘ President will tl
that llu‘ Ministtuss api)olnt(‘<l by lihu shaH proeeiMl upon their
reasonahl(‘ (ini(‘ and r(\u'u!ate the piuuod of tludr ndurn h^\' the
and not. hy lluar pl(‘asuri' or jw'rsonal eoiiviailenct'. If Ltoixl <‘aus
(airly ridiirn haivi' will oT <*ours(‘ 1 h‘ ;j:iv<‘n hut In the ah-^uana*. ot ■
a nMurii in a shorhu* ptu’iod than four y<airs will not he anlieipah
^rh(‘ Pi*i‘sid(*u( n\u’ards llu* Mission lo Spain as tla* in j
taiiei‘ In tlH‘ pr(‘s<-nt condition of our ror<*ir:n reiatiouN’. and ((‘si
\'ic(ion hy (ii(‘ tact of d<‘{ua\ iie.'' hiiuscif of onr ; or\ in jv-niir
lionorahl(‘ and r(*sponsihi<* situafioii.
\’our salary will, in ease ot a<*<’epi an<*o, connuotH’o lr<*!o the 1
y(Hir h()nH‘ inehuiiii:;' a visit to this city which will hr rr ulnlnl
of y(Uir d(*part lire.
Ilopinjj; that yoiir d(‘cision will he such as I cauooi ftni thini
to your honor and atlvanci* ilir interests «»t' the I'onntrj.
I am, <U‘ar Sir,
Your friend ainl <»h<l’t .eers’t '
Mr. \\^>edl>iiry's answer to I hi,* avoue«l hi ooneui’i
o-emn*al views it (‘Xprt'-sml and diMdaimet! all tie iro t«
eiples so <*learly eondueiM* to tln^ puhiie infere t dopar
his a(*eoiui(. I b‘ said that if the ,\!is-inji had Ihhoi \\
ohjeet. liki'ly to h(‘ acetnuplishm 1 in a \ear or l\\«o lit*
o\(‘reonu* all oh jiad ions and aoeepltal the oiler, but iha
weri‘ inll(‘xib!y oppo.siMl to aetaniipan ung him, tiial a lai
of his frimids wen^ ad\erse to hi:. Iea\ ini.! tUv C cuuitry
a t-im(\ if at alb ttnd us the mi*’sion ua . a !‘i‘t,eral el
hii-l .... I, .. . ...... i
AUTOBIOGKAPHY OF MARTIFT YAN BUREFT. 256
disappoinment would be to save to tlie councils of the nation the
advantages of Mr. Woodbury’s talents and esJ^Derience.^
In a subsequent letter,- based on the preceding one, Mr. Wood-
bury assured the President of his entire willingness to fill any situa-
tion under the Government which would not, like the Mission to
Spain, require so long ° an absence from his family, and accom-
panied that announcement with a gloomy account of the disordered
condition of our own party and of the extraordinary activity with
which the opposition had already entered on the canvass for the
next Presidential election ; talked of resigning his seat in the Senate
and of retiring from public life, &c., &c, upon all of which Gen.
Jackson, in returning his letters to me, remarked in a note that
he inferred that Mr. Woodbury over rated the value of the aid that
Mi^. Adams would be able to bring to Mr. Clay at the next Presi-
dential election and was more alarmed than the facts would war-
rant; that we had only to continue the course we have commenced,
take principle for our guide and i)ublic good our end, and the people
will sustain us.”
In this brief note and in that relating to Ritchie’s letter are to be
discovered the secret of the General’s extraordinary popularity. Such
an abiding trust in the integrity of the people and in their fidelity
to those who are faithful to them, accompanied by a readiness to
spend and to be spent in their service, a willingness at all times to
sacrifice ease and comfort and if necessar}^ to hazard his life for
their safety could not escape their knowledge or fail to secure their
love and gratitude. Since his character had become known to them
by a long series of self sacrificing acts they had not doubted that a
solicitude for their welfare most ardent and of never failing disin-
terestedness was deeply seated in his heart and ever present to his
mind. ISTor was it surprising that this faith and these dispositions
constituted such marked features in his character. They were nat-
ural results of peculiar circumstances in his condition. No public man
was ever so highly elevated of whom it could be said with more
truth that he was one of the people. They were his blood relations
— the only blood relations he had in this or, as far as is yet Imown, in
any Country. No one stood nearer to him in that great natural tie
than another. The remarkable success which crowned his efforts in
256
AMERICA]^ HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION.
I have not introduced these particulars by way of
less of disparagement but to give an inside view of
public men — a view which generally differs materia
which is seen by the public. The sequel of this work •
much there was in Mr. Woodbury’s career deserving
and approbation of his Countrymen and of the suppo
Gen. J ackson and myself gave to him to the very close
lives, notwithstanding striking peculiarities, I migl
obliquities, in his political course.
Mr. Tazewell, altho’ willing to represent his Stai
tional Legislature, appeared to me to be as free i
of office as any man with whom I was associated i
He came to the seat of Government very soon after n
I think before I wrote to him on the subject of tl
England which had been tendered to him by the I
was he said unwilling to accept it unless he could s:
that by doing so he would have it in his power
Country some signal service. Upon that point at le
to carry his heart in his hand, and left no room fo]
tion or doubt as to his sincerity. He had taken as Sen
part in the x>roceedings of Congress on the subject of t
Trade, but his hopes of a successful negotiation in
were not sanguine. In this state of mind his purpose
Washington was to asceiTain whether it was at all piN
would be able to exert an influence in behalf of the re
fication of the com laws, and to place the question
a nee upon the result of that enquiry. He announc(
mination to the President and myself but we could i
give him any encouragement upon the point and told
out reserve. Being well acquainted with the Britis
Washington, Sir Charles E. Vaughan, and appreciatin
and franlmess of his character, he expressed a desi
consult with him upon it to which we saw no object]
ried, I think, a letter from me expressive of his desi
President’s approbation of the proposed interview, bi
expressed so confidently his conviction of the utte:
AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF MARTIN VAN BUREN.
Porte for tlie navigation of the Black Sea by American vess(
the occasion of the first overt act of Mr. Calhoun’s oppositio
the Administration of President Jackson. In this I, having
ducted the negotiation, thought him wrong and it was well ur
stood that his State, although interposing no specific compl;
did not approve of his course; hut whatever may have been
degree of credit or discredit due to his conduct on the latter occa
I have never forgotten his rare and admirable bearing on th£
which I have first referred, and I take much pleasure in' making
record of the transaction to which it related.
Satisfied that he had been too hasty in respect to the app<
ments to England and France, General Jackson informed me
it it should become necessary to make new selections, he w
expect me to name the men and that, having confidence in my j
ment, it' was more than probable that he would adopt them.,
Mr. Berrien, who had been appointed Attorney General,
at the moment, in Georgia arranging his private affairs prej
tory to his removal to the seat of Government. Assuming
he would prefer the place of Minister to England the Presi
authorized me to offer him an exchange of places and, on th
sumption that he would certainly consent to it, to offer the
torney Generalship to Mr, McLane, which was done without
ing for Mr. Berrien’s answer. Mr. McL-ane’s reply addresse
me in an unofficial letter, did not come up to my anticipation
the President was predisposed to regard it in the most favo;
light and I was too partial to him to scan his faults. He
fessed that he had not his own free consent to accept the place
did so reluctantly, regarding it as a sacrifice to the interests o
large family (which did not leave him at liberty to be fastid
or to consult his own inclinations) and to those of the cause
of his friends; adding that he could have supposed the I
dent intended to make any immediate provision for him he c
have suggested one much more desirable to himself and prol
equally so for him and all others. He thought moreover tin
(the President) had purchased the change in the office of Attc
General at too great a price.”
° Fortunately, as we supposed, for the gratification of our f
to offer it to hiin. we were <lestiiie(l to further disappoi
From Mr. McLane/s answer, addivssed to me, as before iino
it appeared that nay letter luul eiiil)ari‘assed him;” that v
wrote me the d(ij/ before ae(‘('|)tin<>' the oUlee of Attorney
‘^^he was not altogether without his fears that IMr. Berriei
not assent to the changt^ for what was so desirable to us
which account principally he had decided as he did, i. e. to
me in the Cahinet, tuul for that very reason the cliange mi
be agTeeable to him.” To this it was added, among other
that he hoped that his letter to the President howCver won
his disposition to consult his own and the honor of the adn
tion, and thus ^d)r(\s(‘rve my (his) chance for what I will
tell you would make me happier than any other honor — the
Meantime, that chance not being impaired, the Mission to E
he thought miglit be turned to even greater advantage, &c; tl
sidering moreover the impropritdy of ex])osing you. (me) :
President to many r(\jectcHl offers as to this Mission, at thi^
of the administration and understanding from your (my
that your (my) individual views are in favor of this detern
I will accept the Mission to England I must
your friendship and sagacity to k(‘e|) me in the mind of the P
and to give sucli a. direction to this a (fair as may ill ti mat
best for us all.”
ITpon tlie suggestion of my c^steemed and. noble hearted
Capt. Jack Nicolson, of ( he Nav'y, I |)ro])ose(l th(‘- name of
ington Irving, who was (lum in England, for the i)hu*e of S(
of Legation to the English Mission to the I^resident and on
ing his assent I wi-ote to his brothin* Judge Irving^ for his
whether it w'ould probably be a<*cepta1)le, and receiving a fii
answer, (be appoint incmt was forthwith made.
If Mr. Li\'ingston manilivstcal h\ss indiffercaua' to the axaj
of his place than Mr. J\aZ(‘W(‘Il it was not beca,us(‘ he estimah
highly the distiiu'tion or (‘ravial the emoluments of otlici
enjoyment of ollii^ial pomp aiul cii’cimistancc‘ is, (juoud thi‘
States, an Eastern or New Englruul hading and is still 1
there by the ceremonies and forms incidtmt t.<» public^, a.u
My friend Woodbury, tlud too sagacdous to wastes mmdi
earthly substance on ac<‘(>unt of it,, yid. took gread satisfac
its indulgence when attainable without loo mmdi pecuniar;
fice, and Wc.bs(ei*s passion foi^ i(. was of a still strongi^
The latter was never monv at Inane or in gavau* spirit thai
ArToiMotiuAPn V ok MAirnx van burkisn
(his woaknoss nor was there ever inueh of it in the MiihU
Re^’ardino' Webster and Woodbiirv, IVoin the North, and
and Idizewelh {d'oin (he Sou(h, as examples of (lie (vxtent.
(heir r(‘s{)(‘e( i ve seetions they represented in this respeet ji
whom i( would be diiruadtto imai»:ine helongino; to (he same
and rt'ared under (he same ( Jovernnient.
haziovelh al(li<r well edmaited an<h in the l)est sense of i
a e'ent hunan, would not have bt'en ealli'd a liti'rary man, a
suiH^ he derivt‘d more social enjoy numt. Irom his o-ames at <ju
Chief rlustiee Marshall, (Jen. Wi(dvliain,* Dr. PM*o(*k(‘nboroi
otluu's lik(^ tlunn at Richmond," or from ilimuu’s of shet'psd
liis uneercanonious but w'ell l)rt‘d friends and asso<‘iates a(
(han h(‘ could pi-omise hiinselt‘ abroad. Mr. LiN’in^Xstor
could b(‘ oHVihmI mort^ ag’reeable than the opportunity an<
foi* the cultivation of letters and the sot^itdy o'f (he hi^lu
authoi’ities in art and s(‘i(mc(‘ at Paris as the fiaiition
cluu‘ish(‘d anticipations of (hat (haracter. Mrs. I/ivinji!;}
thnuich by biiih and (‘dmadion and poss(‘ss(‘d withal supm*i(
plishnumts an<l (jualiticat ions for tlu‘ station to which she sim
tiiual. Ih‘sides thest‘ circumstance's (lu' k'rt'iudi Mission
bium a sotircH' of honoi’abh' pi’idt' in his family, ha\inc*
hi^Li’hi'st <hi*‘ial dis(int*tion enjoyed by his dist in<>‘uished
(hanci'llor Lix’ini^'ston, oiu' of (lu' (’omnvidet' whi<h r(‘[)<
I )(*clara( ion of I nd(‘pi'nd(*mM* ; in afti'i* (inn's it at(ract(‘d t(
to (list in<„»;uish it from a woi*thy comu'xioii of t lu' sanu'
f <d’ Firm'll Fdtntrd.
liut altho' hi‘ elid not hn-k inducennt'nts, worthy t<^ be (:
consideu’at ion in makinjU^ up his own opinion, tlu'H' we!*(' <
titles! te) more' influeme’c with the' Iheside'iit. lit' hatl be'conu
that ah ho*' no appe>intnu‘n( e’e)uld In*, maelt' that in ri'spect to
\‘i<lual feMdin^s it wouhl <i:ive' him me>r(‘ ple'asure' te) enake* am
muu' that wouhl aehl men*e' eli^nity to tlu» Mission, the' stde'cti
not prow to have beam a lortunate^ e^iu' in view <d' tlu' pariie
je'ct to 1)(* aote*el upon ami which he' was \au‘y eh'sirous to a<
1 e^tumeal a eanavsponelemea' with Mr. Livin^ion upon (la
of his acce'pt aiHH'. of (he Missiem anel tlu' pe^rioel of lii;^
whiedi la'suHeal in his eleudcnsion on ae*count of tlu' state' of h
which reMinireal his tna'se'iu'e' in tlu' Poite'd State's
self. His decision to decline \Yas, on tlic contrary
Pi-esident in a letter which both in niatter and inn
honorable to him.^
By the invitation of the President I sugfjested
vacant mission — ^that of William C. Pives, of V
he. readily agreed, and Mi’. Hives promptly aecejiti
Livingston’s letter to the President having been
morning mail from the North I wrote, to Mr. IJivei
mail on the same day. On the following mornin
presented himself at my oflice and thinking it poss
to withdraw his declension I informed him at ont
terms of wliat had been done on the previous day.
during his short stay to confirm or disprove tliat
have always been of the opinion that such had boo
The President selected from several names prose
slon to Spain, whiclv had been declined by Mr.
(io\’. Van Neas,- of Vermont, and he was commissi
Mr. Van Ness was a man of rare natural endownn
a position among the friends of the National i'
New England which entitled him to its favoral
My relations with his family had been for ycai’s
character but I acquiesced clieer fully in his sol
liointments of Mr. Preble to the. Netherlands, IV
Eussia, and several Charges to other Countries ha
upon snbse(|ue.ntly, T entered upon a \'ery full ex
condition of the public bu.siness at the. dill'ere.nt
new Ministers were sent, the actual state and past
ished negotiations and the. collection of materials
tions. Upon this woi’k was bestowed betw(‘en t
the most laborious months of my whole life. (
course, appertaining' to the Ih'partment of State, (
of my attention. Communications between the. Pi
eign Ministers had been postponed till my arrival a
to learn from a friendly and well informeil sourc(«
adverse to the former Innl lieen made upon most
of the. Diplomatic Corps. Naturally inclined, fron:
not be stated, to side, ■with the party least imbue<
cratic spirit of the. Country, the members of that
always predisposed to approach with distrust. ai
trate, elevated to powm- by that intluem-e. The
canvass which resulted in the election of Cen.
AtTTOBIOGRAf»HY OF MARTIFT VAFT BTJEElsr.
unprecedented extent to whicli the feelings of the masse:
People had been enlisted in his favor had added much
to this bias. Apprehensions arising from that and kindred
stimulated by the gossips of the Capital, a class to whose
diplomatists are always ready to listen, had, I found, gro
sort of panic. An idea of the nature and prevalence of t
ing may be formed by recurring to the interview between
Mrs. Livingston and myself at Philadelphia. If persons
intelligence so well acquainted with Gen. Jackson, under
the many admirable and strong traits in his character aiii
sincerely solicitous for his success, could imbibe such glooii
of the state of affairs at the seat of Government, in respect i
in which the Foreign Ministers took great interest, what m
been those of the Ministers themselves, entertaining in adv
apprehensions to which I have alluded.
I made it my business, without delay, to see Baron Huy;
Minister from Holland, with whom as a brother Dutchma
previously established very friendly relations, and Sir Cl
Vaughan, the British Envoy, with whom I had been for sc
also upon intimate and cordial terms, and to do what I
remove the unjust impressions of which I have spoken, ai
with a degree of success which the elevated character of 1
given me good reason to anticipate. I next invited the Di
Corps, by direction of the President, to meet me in a bod
Executive Mansion with a view to their presentation anc
evening before the day appointed for that purpose I sent th
ing note
To THE PREvSIDENT.
Dear Sir
In conversation last evening with Mr. Huygens he made a suggest
I think deserves consideration. I mentioned to him, as I liad befoi
Sir Charles Vaughan, that as the only object of the introduction
was to relieve them and yourself from the embarrassments resulting
very irregular interviews which had previously taken place, it eoi:
necessary to have anything like formal addresses. To this both ass
Mr. Huygens added that an impression had been made in Europe
favorable character in respect to your dispositions in respect to o’
relations; that they (the Diplomatic Corps) had already seen sr
relieve whatever apprehensions might have existed upon that point
AMERTOAN HlSTOrJCAIj ASSOCIATIO'N'.
m
vantaj^e, that the soiitiinents you expressed in your innu^niral address
to the foreha-n relations of the Country you now repeat to them; i
opinion now is and always lias been that the true iiKt'resIs of thit
would always he host (‘ousulted by preserving’ tin' rtdations of pouce wi
world, and an inter<‘ourse founded iii)Ou i)rineiples of fair ro(*ipro(
you entered upon the trust conuuitted to you withoui roreia:u prej
predilections and with personal feelin.as of the most friendly (‘haraete
every nation with whom we have intereourse, and that it should be
deavour as it was your siiieere desire to promote tlu^^ int (‘rests ot
Country, without doina. iujusi iee to the rights of others, by tiic nu
friendly and sincere nea’otiations.
I siiall have tlu' pleasure of seeinj^ you eitlier this (‘VeuiuK or in tlie
Yours truly
Sunday Moumxcj
April J//0
The atteiulanee of the Minis(crs was full and after they 1
individually presentoyl to the President, he made them a I
dress, cx[)ressino; substantially the ideas whieli luul l)een si:
whicln delivered in the (JeneraPs invariably bajipy and iir
manner was received with the highest satisfaction and a cop,'
been furiiisbcd to each, at their reciuest, was forthwith forw
their respective governments. The introduction was folh
invitations to dinner and an entertainment, to say the least (
inferior to those to which they had been accustomcah on sir
casions, anywlierc. The simple yet kindly old-scliool mai
the host with the amieahle assura.iua's of his adiharss and tl
ceptionahlc (luality of his !)an(|uet luadt* the most favairahh'.
sions upon the guests wliicdi they took no pains to cunceak ;
the anxieties of these gentlemen wer(‘ com})let(‘ly i-clie\'(‘d a
])rejudices materially softened by the most ajipcovtal (liplom
chine.iy.
Notwithstanding these auspicious signs of improveunent
hrancli of the public S(U*vice, circumstanci»s soon occurred in
1)3’ which my own cont inuance in the. ('al)inet. was, foi* a l>rie
involved in dilliculty and doubt.
The President made it a rule of his administration from ^
very rarefy departed, to bring all (jU(‘stions in nspiui. to v
ex|)cet(Hl opposiHon from me, certainly, ami possil)ly From
ri‘taiT of (li(‘ "Fn'asurv. He waited no lon^xn* than wavS ma
stirv !>y his indispensable attention to otiun* important poii
arose upon the coinplide organization of his Cabinet bel
mat tin* was brought, forward and tlrst l)roat‘hed to me in th
ing note :
.•tpr/7 :!0
int. Siu
I l!av<‘ lliis iiicniini;’ S(‘ul to Mr. ln;L,nmm ’ tlu‘ pnixa's in rclali
York (kistoins, nMjiU'slinr: him aflta* nxaniliu's tluan (<> I
io you. Will y<ui also havi‘ tiu‘ goodiusss to look at tluMU and
oniniou in writiicj: on t.iu^ rolativ(‘ nan-its <»(' tlU‘ s(‘V(M-al aiipla'ants
at, tlH‘ sani(‘ tinu‘ the ollici's to which you weuld annoint tinan,
far lh(‘ nrin<'i|dt\s w<‘ hav(‘ adopted would justify <lisniissals froii
that TorlV I wish now t.o act pnunptly on a subject which has a
worrit'd nu'.
in adtlilitai to th<^ pajau's stud Mr. lui^hain this lutu’uinic I ii:
lutua^ ctadithnt.ial hitters, ftu* tht‘ most part in favor of Mi*. Swartv
two St'iiators from Xtnv York. also. \‘erhally rectmuntaided Mr. >
I am, vt'ry respect fully Yrs Xc
Anukkw ,
Mr. V.\.\ liruK.s.
Although th(‘ (hduu-al r(d‘{‘rr(al {a thi‘ ai)poin( lumds in t!i
IloU:a‘ oc'uerally, that of ( olUador wa:'. the hone of contt
which 1 h‘ had laam woi*riiM|. Upon (sxamining tlu^ dmann
me I found t h<* ih’(‘si<l(*nt's hltss as was usually t h(‘ cas(‘ o
occasions, overhurt luuual with I'cctununMulat ious in favor <
w<mt's appoint unmt from ptuNous too many of whom wc
hecii l)ad ativisers umler any eircuiu.stanets and liad no rigiii
f<u* th(‘ friemds of tlu‘ atlminist rat ion in the ('ity, and not.
whom hud oppostal us in the ehadion, with scaiaady a ecu
tion fnun tliose w*h<> wen* lu'st imtlthal to he heal'd from oi
Aftir consulting with tin* Stauadary of tin* Iha'.asiUT I
our fri{‘nds in Ni‘W York apprising tlH*m of tin* damg(*r <
wont's appointment. unl(‘.s.s t!u*y huiliwith pres(*nt(*d to the
unt*(|ui V(H‘al evhhuu'e of tin* st*ns(* of tin*, (*ity and advising
Uliamhiu* of ( ’omnn‘n*c should la* apprn*d to for an (*xpre.s:..io
opinion, not doubting that. thi*y would, not wit list anding t
(‘ral political opp«>ditjon to tin* m Iminist rat ion, sti'p forw
cast* of such magnitudi* and cndcavoin’ to prevemt tin* ^
which i ihougld t In* a pp<»int iinud of Swartwout would he.
t<M>ur Senator^. Dudley aud i^anford,’’ to know wln*tln‘r tlnn
264
AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION.
these steps to secure an interference from the proper
pared an opinion, in compliance with the Presideix't^
which filled several sheets, stating unreservedly the olbj ^
appointment of Swartwout and to the character of the- •
tions in his case, and suggesting the names of Joliia
vSaul Alley for the office in question.
The following is an extract from my written opinioi
I have known Mr. Swartwout for many years although not:
have always regarded him as a generous, warm-hearted, and IxiS
influenced by kind feelings to his friends and have consequent:
tained any other than friendly feelings towards him persons
he has never been and is not now in a situation to make his
of prejudice or solicitude with me. It is my clear and decido
a firmer or better grounded conviction I never entertained in
the appointment of Mr. Swartwout to the oflice of Collector of t:3
York would not be in accordance with public sentiment, the 1
Country or to the credit of the administration. Deeply impresse
culiar importance of this appointment and anxious fully to disc
imposed upon me by your request, and by the relation in whicli.
I feel it my duty to add that his selection would in my judgnion
that would in the end be deeply lamented by every sincere
friend of your administration throughout the Union.^
This opinion was dated April 23rd, and deliveredL
dent on the next morning.
The Secretary of the Treasury informed me that he-
an opinion, coming to the same result, but as he did :
posed to compare notes with me I did not press him to
never saw the views he presented of the subject. Dulx"
ing of the day on which our opinions had been delivox’
the following: notes;
O
From the President.
Dr Sir,
I have looked over your views and expositions as to the apx>< i
Customs of New York with great attention and care, and, wit:Xi
afforded to my judgment, have settled in the determination to i >
Swartwout in the office of Collector. It will be matter of
friends in New York shall complain of the selection, but from
highly respectable recommendations presented in his favor X
that any greater dissatisfaction will be produced than would l^ o
AUTOBIOGRAPHY OP MARTIPT VAH BUREH.
from his recommendations, and it appearing that he can give the
security required of him, I have thought proper to appoint him.
Your friend
Andeew
Mr. Van Bueen.
Respecting the appointment at Nashville (Attorney) I shall leave t
fair reciprocity is always right, and as I have given you, in your Stat
tor, I leave you, in mine, to give us an Attorney ; asking nothing mor
you will give us as qualified a man. I have directed all the recomme
be sent you for the applicants for this office.
Yours, &c
Andrew Jaci
April ^
To the Sec’y of State
These notes were accompanied by another informing
he had appointed my friend, James A. Hamilton, Dis
torney for the Southern District of New York. The Pres:
well warranted in assuming that I was friendly to Mr. !
and took an interest in his welfare. He carried a letter fr
Gen. Jackson when he went to New Orleans in his comp
representative of the Tammany Society, to attend a c(
of the successful result of the Presidential election, and,
appointment, I had also suggested his name to the Pre
Acting Secretaiy of :State, during the 'interval previoi
arrival at Washington. But he was mistaken in supposii
wished Mr. Hamilton to have or would have recommendec
the appointment conferred upon him. I could not have
with justice to my political friends in New York and the
was himself too well satisfied of this to broach the subject
he was advised of what was intended, of which I know
He was sitting by me when the President’s notes were rec(
they were instantly communicated to him. He said that h
anticipated his own appointment, or words to that effect,
I replied that he must be sensible that the difficulties of mj
growing out of the appointment of Swartwout, with ref
the feelings of my New York friends, would be mate:
creased by what had been done; he admitted that such
the case but added nothing further and I did not think tl
n rio'Bf. f.rt QiiAr rvirirp. T-P T Borl rpppiTTArl GliorUfAcf. inkiTYii
In a-k !iim In <k*nli!a‘, hut >n fai* a appuaraiUT m
n,t| Inl’t ill iltuihi ill rn.Nptai iii itiv innrt iiinat itui a!
aft inu,
I luul iuHUi tla‘ hru'inniuir av. ara ni' i1h‘
uliii’li Swart wnm\ appariaillv rhi\ alrnu - nliaraa
luannrr hah i‘\ritctl in ilu* hri*a, t nf tha Pra-itla
ant ithi»aU‘ti nnr wa-* I at ai! prapaiaal tn uiuia
:o nrava a fnnn. I’ha rt* nil aanu* upnn nia at
my hiaalth wa- ha^hln ami my |»irit hn[u-f nh
n* i tnh all llm rna. nuiny' tliat ha*l inam irium
appnint munt , hy im*n \\ hn irirmi hip I hlh nut
ut\’ miml wa iml at na n in ruLCarh hi my pn>itm
am! walknh ihn t rt‘nt uf W'a-hinirtnn until a lati‘
{ !nl ihrrat illy: ulualun’ 1 niiyiti ant In mlnpt tlu* ml\
ami to IT inn a pn- 1 : iiia’numkal hy . Unh t*mhaiT:i
inrnnh to m\ h><h*inn am! rntlmh |ti m\ Ikm!
IT prfi to tin* path of ihily painfully uu ftthal
IV tlli’
!t it u
a Uni h\ t la
non
{Mjm-iinn <i
nmnt ,
imp» Ti
[all! a that
nm
la mhl 1
tally
wa , ihnl
lain t li n a .
n tarn V. h ml
1 i
( ! n\
a. n«
1 w it i i o
r; ..■>
.! 1
pj mnhnmna i
fma
a a 1
np <
tf that nhai
a!h im
t onnm
i\ nr mnhn 1
»n hmilni
1 i il
n\!nnt . 1 tUl
o nnr
pl_\ h
t 1 lU } H '. 1 Ka*
a ! * '
- I'r
n m
an appn’i-
v,h:it 1
ia-1 jU
i \ o.Ttirmh
that
m \
til
ati iinh fi'i
|t« h:n
f hnnu riihit in t
u! n r
h»'h*
• f that pnr on ..
p»» - n -
m\ <■'
oaliili-nn,* Isat
1 :i,',
{Uir<-i
i ;in
lllllm-m-n n
mi ml
n li 1 n h
\n.uht fnrn
n m
n
an
liitimatn r
i ntaia*
a 11.
i-.U!
ihn tl;
t imprn i*'
n . o
f fii«‘
m* n
•ini.'W a! a. a^
» 1 aii'
h tlm
!»r t , prn nli,
i»M 1
ih,'
a.).-
«■'! Hi a h"
t i i vn. n
un it <
1 1 a 1 n a. p ’ i i
nful
fnat!ir>* ,
inh!‘;ain,l
1 na. m.
aim- h
i t iiiit Un .
1 V,
a a
11 til
rh flKil 111
a ha h
ini . a' f -f !
i:n
i‘i ..
ifli!
« ^mhil 1 o ^
nt mr n
i n,n
■hi lini pioj
< n • 1 's
!a-T
.!i.| fm- m
hrimm
h him
, to ha ^ n 1 tn •
Ji a*
ni )!•■■
i f 1 * ^ - h-i i
lha! \v
hah
m.-p ii- t hn ap
i :< •ill
1 lu-
i a , ■
: ’ i n i „ ^ ‘ a
nha, I :n
■!i-r .!
i.:hn to
. . ■/. !
1 II n'
n, I
am a.
nf iinl ■ . i* a ■ \ "U ill** *a r a
!h* h.nl :-m- i . f.nsii, 'u.
Mi) ! U *
AITTOBTOdRAPII V (>l«’ MAirriN VAN HPURN.
my aclvico. To have claiiiual nioro wa^ll lia\'o. Ikhmi
an cncroaclnuont on his (\)nst iiu( ional ri^iits. A piM'se.vi
liis part in a(*is of tho sauic nai nn‘ lo an twlcnit suHlcinnt
beyond reasonable doubt, a. ra<lieal and ineurabU' didVct. in
aeter, would c*lian<»;e the slate of the <(iU‘stion, but as matt
u\y iirst duty was lo (ry to prevent a state (d‘ thinys so yivj
regretted and there was certainly nuuh in the way the net \\
had been performed to encouragi' nu‘ in making such an td
There were moreover (‘crtain otluu* consiil(‘i*at ions of mm
in, favor of the course 1 deeidial to )>ursue, I (‘ould not h(‘
that !ny position was a. pcaadiar om* and that, tluu’t^ W(‘n‘ res
ties atta-ched to it of a charactei' widtdy ditlercud Trom th<
ordinarily attach to ocanipiints of public stations, to (vKph
I must, take the risk of exposing mysidf to thi‘ (diargi* n(
vanity- about the only i‘t‘proa(h which my political (MU'
never laid at my door. No man c\(‘r attaimal to (aninen
(■ountry who was mort'. (‘Xclusi\(dy tlu* artiticcr of his own
than was ( Jemu’al f>a(‘ksoiu <>r whos(‘ uns^lrpas^ed personal p
was founded to a- greater extent upon the conhchmci' of i|
in t.Iu‘ int('grity of his moti\es and in t ht‘ \ aliie of hi:-; dis
services, unai(k‘d by exlram'ous or ad\‘t‘nt it ions cii’cum.'.t
resp(‘ct. to pratdical good stmsty sound and ripe judgnumt, t
<rf human natuix*, indomitable and incoriaipt iblt'. spirit an
eapacilA' for busint-ss a large' major’ity of tlu* Peoph* of tl
Stall's rc'lied upon him with tlu* gi*(‘atc; I (‘onfidimct* and w
justici'. Bill of bis (‘Xp('ri('!UH' in ex<'cuti\’i' duties like tlu
appt'rtain to the oiru*e of Pn'sidt'Ui. and of bi.s habitual si'l
a matte!’ of vital importanct* in that, high station, many <d' 1
est- snpporti'i’s wei’c not. without livi'ly appr('lu*nsio!!s - a. poi
iousl 3 '’ distimstful. Il(*nce arose a gymu’al solicit uih* on tli
his rri(*nds that, he shonid havi* !i(‘an‘;f to him in his (hhii
whose*, (jiialiticat ions aiid disen'tion, in tlurs* r<‘spc‘cts, th
trust, ddu' gi’at iiicatioi! of this desiin* was lookt'tl foix as
provi'd, with unusual unaiiimity, in my appoint}iu*n( as. Sf*(
fState, wlu'thc'r rightly or not. is a ipu'stion which, in (hi
tlu* suhji'ct, it is not. lu'cessary (o <-<msidcr. Act’ordingly
of i,h(* (dt‘ct, ion was no soom*!’ know n than { lan'i* aro a*
268
AMERIC^.AN lUSTOUU^AL ASSOCUATlOlSr.
cal i^arty by which he luul himself been (‘IcH-tc'ch-a (leelara,ti(
repeated by him in con versa! ion and in letters as well w
formation of the Cabinet was in pro^Tess as sul)st‘(|nen{ ly
holding my post my reflections sa(istit‘d me that I was not at
to withdraw from it witliont farther etToifs to realize the w
those who had given me this gratifying proof of tlieir (‘onlld
Under these impressions T dei'ided to remain and only a^
consent of the President tlnit- I should infoian my friends
York that the appointment of Swartwout had been nuide
my earnest remonstrance atul that of Hamilton without my
edge or desire. This lie promi>tly gave in a hotter wliieh st;
facts exactly and which lu^ adx'ised nu' to semd to my fri<
Cambreleng with permission to slunv it to whom he pleased,
wont suceexied in making himself a poi>nlar Colkudor and th
dent made occasional good-natured allusioirs to the api)rehe]
had exhiliitod on the oca^asion of his appolntnuMit . sjxadvin*.
matter as the greatest of the few mistakes he had known me t
After I had resigned the otliei' of Seau'etary of States and w
waited for the carriage in ’which lu* was about to aea'ompai
part of the way to Ihdtimore lu^ phuaal in my baud my
against Swartwout s appoint uumt. sayiiig that it was a d<
whicli would not read well hmuaifter wlum it is (aiusidered ho
was (he error on which it- was foundial and lugging nH‘ to
and destroy iC or to permit him to elo so. Ihuaanx ing the. ki
ing in whidi the proceeding originated, 1 re|)lital that 1 ea
consent to its destruction, (liat I was frea^ to lumfcrs that
ances favored l»is o|)inion but that tla^ atlair was not (‘iidial
apprehensions removtal; that, howtO(u*, if lu‘ would ptuani
would endorse upon it- my muim* <d* tht‘ kind !noti\(»s wliicii
him to rctuim it and that I maa^pted it bccaUM* I tandd n
the gratiti(‘atiou wlueh I knew he took in tloing what he eoi
a favor to his fritmds. 1 wrote tla* tmdoiscmeul in (lie (‘arria
it to him and he laughed tit my ol).-timuy.*
The sad (aitastrophe which followial is widl kmovn. Tin*
was never afterwards ivhu'red to iuXwrcn u . then during i
« That my Rtronjj: aiunu*U(i‘tif;lnn:: iu>t . ..jt: tjrti
St hi;, rlf .e»ninluuf i5' itp|
AUTOBIOGRAPHY OP MARTIN VAN BUREN. 269
to the Hermitage in 1842 when most of the transactions of that and
still earlier periods interesting to himself were brought into re-
view in the course of our familiar and to me deeply interesting con-
versations this matter was studiously avoided. He did not refer to
it and I was too sensible of the extent of his disappointment and
mortification to do' so myself.
At the hazard of being thought to descend to matters too unim-
portant I recur to the day after my arrival at Washington to men-
tion an incident which happened at that time. I do so because it
goes to show how little either the abuse that had been heaped on
both himself and Mrs. Jackson, to whom he was devotedly attached,
or the rupture of personal and political friendships caused by the
selection of his Cabinet, or the peculiar views of those by whom he
was surrounded and by whom he was supposed to be unduly influ-
enced, or all of them combined had weakened those just and hon-
ourable sentiments with which his nature was thoroughly imbued
and which never failed to show themselves when occasion offered.
His defeated competitor removed from the Wliite House to Com-
modore Porter’s place, on Meridian Hill, where he resided for some
time. Up to the time of my arrival no one connected with the new
administration, which had then been organized some six weeks, had
called upon Mr. Adams. On examining into the cause of this omis-
sion I found that it was considered due to the feelings of the Presi-
dent which had been deeply wounded by an attack on Mrs. Jackson
that had appeared in the Washington Journal, a newspaper exten-
sively regarded as under the influence of Mr. Adamsv Not believing
that Gen. J ackson desired such a course to be pursued, and satisfied
as to what my own should be, I apprised him of my intention to
pay my respects to the ex-President, to which he instantly replied
that he was glad to hear it. He said that the treatment which he
had too much reason to think he had received from Mr. Adams was
of such a character that he did not feel himself at liberty to over-
look it or he would long before have called ujpon him himself,
but this was his personal matter and his friends would best consult
his own wishes when they left its treatment to him alone. It was
his desire, he said, that those associated with him in the Govern-
ment should treat Mr. Adams with the respect that was due to him
he desired to read. When I left him he said he won
hint that I might find useful which was that no secrets
in the State lOepartment, but that on the contrarj
Ministers were always certain in one way or another tc
tion of any negotiation going on there in which their
felt an interest.
The first negotiation we instituted was one with the ^
for the establishment of commercial relations betweei
the United States, and the admission of American '
navigation of the Black Sea. Apprehensive that other
interfere to our prejudice I availed myself of Mr. Ad;
kept all the papers at my private rooms while the r
progress. The negotiation was entirely successful an
an early opportunity to advise Mr. Adams of the proce
result, both of which he highly commended.
Encouraged by the General’s remarks, I made a se;
re-establish friendly relations between him and Mr. A^
a season with good prospect of success. Believing th
would be entirely safe in assuming that Mr. Adams hn
knowledge of the attack upon Mrs. Jackson, which ha
fended him, I urged that it wais his business as the v
friendly advances and that moreover such was the con
public would expect from his character. The injury
complained was one in regard to which he i)r()ved to 1)
cable than was the case as to any to whicli hi^ laid been
finally prevailed upon him notwithstanding to i)romij
would on some fitting occasion s])eak (o Mr. Adams and
hand. The funeral of Doddridge, a. member of Gongr
ginia, which I thouglit Mr. Adams l)y his partiality for
ber, would attend struclv me as likely to presenl an a]:
portunity. For some reason 1 was not able to be preso
I made it my business to remind the Generah Ix^fore he
engagement which he promised to fuKil. Galling aftc
certain the result he told me, with obvious siucerity bn
which I confessed to be irrei)ressil)le when I luaird his i
had approached Mr. Adams with a, hona fide intcuitioi
his hand, but that the “ old gentleman,’' as h(‘ called hii
the movement, had assumed so puf//(((riou.s a look that
he would strike him if he came nearer!” I had no di
plaining Mr. Adams’ looks in a way to k(‘.ep iny pi*o
for further consideration. Sometime afterwards tfie (J
1 1-, / 1 . 1 » ■« r, ■/» n* 1 I.. .. 4-4 « . w J I 1 I , 1 I « . > ^ I > I J
ArTuiuniniAiMiv i\\' MAirnx vax iu’ukx.
oil t!io Iiu‘iilol[)iotv, toiAi it up and found it to he a
made hy Adams a> (dnurman <d‘ the ( ommiftee on Aa'i'leultu
tlu^ weather was nnjn'opit ions for walking; and they W(nv iu‘i
tliein wiiu‘ hihluns, I pro|»o,s»Hi that the Major .-hoiiid reail the
whieh he aeeordinniy imtennl upon. I’o my ama/amient t!u‘ In
pro\(‘d t(j iux umltn* that <‘o\tn% a lahoreih unju>t ami \iolen!
upon t ht‘ Ih’t‘sidt*nt and hi'^ adniini-t rat ion. Ion* a while 1 h‘ 1
with tanupoMire, oeeasionally interpiJ' due' an tnxpnv sion (d* |)i
the aut hoi .".honld have mnirislu'd sueh vdohnit ant i|>at Idu's
tinu‘ (d lil(x Init tlie eharpvs ht‘eanu‘ hothn* and !n^tt<‘r and nn
im>re unjimt, his [jatimna* ht'cana* exhair-^led and lu^ said, wit
sith‘rahle vtdiemenee, -Stop : Major, i wilt Inair no mmv of
and tlien, after a moment s pamox lu^ turned to me, with a pe
eomp«»:.nd eountenaneix and n«hh‘d, 'A hope, my <h*ar Sir, th
ort* sati lied that it will })e In* t to lmvi* up t ht^ projetd von 1
miU’h at Inmrtd'
I simauelv rei»'rettt*d that I vv as <‘<nnpelled to ahandon the i
ri*eoneilialion hetWiam t he e ‘jenthniam a is many per.sonal pii
they uiu't* loriued to like eaidi otlun* am! utme warm fimnu!;,
tile ( lemn'ars Seminole dillieult ii* , perhaps the moM t r \ inn pr
hi, puhli(‘ life, \\ hatev er dilhn'eneos of tipinion ma\ Innecxi
leyartl to the pi'opriety «d hi^ | Adam | appraramm in the lit
Kt*[ire <‘nt at i\ e , nr to the rour e he pur Hr, 1 there, no lihiTa
hdl to admire the . pirn and indomiiahle lirmm*., with
he maintained opinion whi«di he, thmlnhv , e<m eiention h In
to he ripdit nltho' they were not ahva\ . in harinonv with tl
the IIoii e. < )n nion* than om* nl tin* e oeearions he pix* e
tnll 1 e n|it li portrait o! 'Mlie o!<l man tdoptienf " not often <*\1
to that body. ( hn* of those stlrrinL-f am! nnpreineditjif t*d oni
will hi' loni,^ ri*mi*mlM‘re«h 1 he <H“ea >ion wa a |iropodtit»n t
the !hv idi'iit power to iuifoive oui' r|aim,s for imhmuiilv a
I*'ranri'. Mr. \\'eh t(‘r hat! vvoum! np a violent attaidv in tin* ;
*h**'^‘ tlie proptoititui liy -avini^ that he w<jtihl not i’onsent I
the powiT a ked for hy Pnmuhmt Jaeloon even if mir ejiia i
were timmhudnx^ id cair dooiw! Mr. Adam^, with kindled ev
tremuloit frame, elostal an i'lopmmt and foivilde deh'u e
pn>posititHi with a heartv dennmdatio!i of the niioatriotie ■
272
AMEKICAiiT HISTORICAL ASSOCIATIOIT.
complisliment for whicli those who had only seen his gra
miamiable looking countenance of the morning and in publi
scarcely have given him credit, — ^lie was, in a small and ac
party, one of the most entertaining table companions of b
Whilst the Presidential question was pending in the House (
resentatives, I was, one day, somewhat surprised to receive £
tation from George Sullivan, of Boston, then temporarily i
at Washington, to meet Mr. Adams and a small party at
On mentioning the circumstances to my friend, Forsyth,^
me that Sullivan was electioneering for Mr. Adams, in a qui
b^^ thus bringing him under the observation of gentlemen v;
imbibed personal prejudices against him. He then inforr
of Mr. Adams’s proficiency in that accomplishment to which
just referred and of which I was not before aware. I was i
to avail myself of Mr. Sullivan’s invitation, but, in after
remembered the circumstance, and, as frequently as I felt
at liberty to do so, especially during my occupation of the
House, I invited Mr. Adams to small round-table dinners
ways derived unqualified delight from his society and valuj
formation from his conversation.
But it is time to return from this long digression. Dis:
from my mind, as far as possible, the feelings of mortificati
regret which had been caused by the great mistake the Pi
had unwittingly committed in the appointment of Swartz
devoted myself to the preparation of instructions for the M
to be sent to England, France, Spain and the Netherlands,
others of minor grades.
The negotiation with England, in respect to the trade I
the United States and her West India and North America!
nies, by the ■previous administration had not only been broi
an adverse close but had reached that result thro’ much ir]
on both sides. That with France to obtain indemnity for
tions upon our commerce was in a condition apparently as b
after having been discussed ad nauseam under successive ai
trations. With such difficult and grave matters in the front {
a thorough review not only of the original transactions out oi
existing questions had arisen but of the several steps whi
AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF MARTIFT YAIT BUREH.
My labours upon this branch of my official duties, were
spoken of in a contemporary publication : —
Our unadjusted foreign relations have been placed in a fair train of
ment. The labor and devotion to the public service by which this h^
accomplished are not much Imcwn beyond the circle of the State Depa
Q^’he Secretary has been employed for weeks in succession, from morn
sundown, in preparing dispatches and fitting out missions, involving tt
important interests of the Country. Frequently time has been snatche
the night to accomplish these works in time for the departure of the
Ministers. Since last March, four Ministers have been furnished with i
tions involving much labor and unweary research in the preparation,
these missions were particularly important ; Mr. McLane, sent to Englai
Mr. Rives commissioned to France. In addition to these foreign miss
England, Prance, Spain, and Colombia, we learn that Mr. Preble, Min;
the Netherlands, has just arrived at Washington preparatory to his de
for that Country. This Mission involves interests of great importance
state of Maine. The settlement of the North-east Boundary question,
has been placed before the King of the Netherlands for his arbitration
in a fair way of reaching a termination. In a short time a functionary
sent out to Peru ; and others perhaps to the other South American gover]
Before the commencement of the nest session of Congress, the Secre
State will have accomplished an immense quantity of public business, &c.
The results of these labours were without reserve commm:
to Congress and thus subjected to the scrutiny and animadv(
of able and violent, not to say reckless opponents, anxious
without precedent, for the overthrow of the administratio
scarcely less so to interpose obstacles in my path.
I am not aware that the construction or matter of those volui
instructions have ever been unfavorably criticised with the
exception of that portion of one of them which was selecte
pretence for the rejection of my nomination as Minister to
land. * *
1 Niles Register, Vol. 37, p. 172.
2 Three and a half pages of the MSS. have been cut out at this point.
127483 °— VOL 2—20 18
CHAPTEE XXII.
Tlie Ministers to England and France were despatched a<
as July and in the same public vessel. They arrived at the
to wliich they were respectively accredited early in Septemb
entered upon the performance of their duties promptly am
a degree of energy, industry and perseverance which was e^
from capable young men, covetous of fame and Avho felt tha
success in undertakings of such magnitude, which had long
the efforts of numerous pi'edecessors, could not fail to advanc
progi'ess towards the great goal — the Presidency — towards
their aspirations were as keen and perhaps as confidently d:
as those of their most ambitious cotemporaries. They each hi
to the accomplishment of the tasks assigned to them talents of
order, with habits of industry not easily broken down and
not liable to be discouraged by slight obstacles. Speedy ‘ anc
plete success followed on the part of each in respect to the L
matters which had been committed to his care. Mr. McLar
ceeded in bringing to a satisfactory conclusion, within ten r
from his presentation to the King, the negotiation in relat
the trade between the United States and the English West
and North American Colonies, a subject which had for many
afforded matter of contention between the two government
had involved six separate negotiations. By that arrangemei
trade was placed on a footing more favorable than any on
it had ever stood and our commerce and navigation in the Cc
ports of Great Britain became entitled to every privilege a]
to other nations. To the propriety of the settlement there v
opposition on the part of the Senate, or in Congress or fror
other quarter. Mr. Kives’ efforts were equally successful alth
period of the conclusion of his negotiation was somewhat 1
deferred in consequence of a change in the Government of I
and other causes.
It wmuld be doinor i-nina+ipA fn fU
AfT(iltlut;[:\i‘!i \ d!' \i Ai:ri>; v.w l;r i;k.\.
(.r i'.T-.i‘ViTin<; inju>tir.- in thnir v\iili a man nf hi> f.aii
iMTaim-nt. 'riic lattiT i.!.‘a mav hr I'.m-iilcivd : t ivul'I limiial hv flu-
far) that iml.-mnity was alum .( unnualiatfl\ .ihlain.al rrmn :Iic
Kinyr of l)cnniark for rlainis of .oiim (wi'ni_\ yrar; :lanilinu' -ml
ion., i'onimufd iiiiiTci-s-ion on uiir pari vvit hoiu t !u* slioii(i‘>i riinmri-
of tancos and hy oiIut instances of curly ; in our for-
ri.v'n afFiU!’-;.
I'Ur .V prnsiH^nuis nv<^nihxtmm so soon after its iiiaui^und aau
il«*ulalrs., addis! p’oatly to the strenidh niul iovdit of i\iv uvw atl
iiiiiiiNt raf ion. hul its hi«.dns4 and tuoN{ endnrini!: iioniu's \vt*rf won
io the \u.silniu and Mieee^sful proM^rjit ioii (»f it. tluiue tic pnlic,.
leadin;** |:ioint ■ in tliat indiev wmv:
tht* mno\ai (d the Indian , from fh<* \ irinitv of the whiie
|'>»pnlatinn ami t litdr sett Imiunit hey<»tal tla* Mi sis appi:
t<^ }>nt a top to the ahu e nf th.* p<nver td’ the I*Vd
era! tiovernnunit in repual to internal inif nox enient . and to re
trii’t its netion u|)uu tin* 'Mihjeet to mea .niv . In.ih u eful and eon
st it nt ioiial ;
/Lrti, t(i. opptise a.s well the re iiasu | h a'at lun td' t!ud r\i{inf''
\atinnal I hank , a* I la* e ,t aid i lintent tdMm\ other tM|u:dh ineuitijn}'
I’ed },y tlie kVderal < 'f m t it nt ii m. ami to iih titnie, in laai nf th,* aiit
vdoeh ha«i keen iko’lual fruiu indi in tdutiou in tie* lu.i na nene iat ‘d’
the ft e:d allair of i ht* t on inaiiuenf , an are*ne\ uliiidi uliil I eun i f
eiif with it. authority uoidd prtaui. e j/rrafer a iVl \ auil nr*‘atfr
in that !n\aneh of the piddie nni. -'; end
/ fit arriv'd a:% tar a-, po . ,jhle the al»u ilia! had erepi infu
thr h'l.ri . hif iiin oj ( ‘miltre’. ... upon the -.utjjeet (.d* |>rof erf ilia' dufle. and
r«« |■«•■.^o^e if to f tie foolUipUp<ni V\hieh it ua phnvd a.t t he e<anii.eaie«*
ineut id the t Joveruiueut hy uupo'.in*^' no tlulie. tievoie! «hal wii .
neer-. arv for laoenue and hy a-.M* .-.inif thtj r in a way in-d adapde*! to
enet.eira*/'e oUT o.WU labor.
I hr fho not tlii' oiilva Were the nio ,f pr-oioineid of the ftona^'die
f,, uhii-h rreMileiit Jark-iin, ftoju the tir f luoioenf . nf hi,
ein at mii fn pfiwris iliim-fed hi-, aflenfion aiel feir tfie aei-oinph hiinnd
id ^Uiirli hr aedtlloU’dy lUnployed the poWef. uilli w hieh fie- pmph*
had rlotfinl liiia. fletnilered forthwith npiiii fie* an a ei nf ihi.
pionr.nuiHe, ke|if if eoirdantly in \iew, autl ialHaa-d in thr ,arl hm
■ I rnli O ili'f n lU tr t fli fd*. ... . .1. r ... 1
276
AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION.
public mind, that the most zealous and seemingly t
efforts for the public good have their origin in moti
ambition or self interest. In the great transactions
masses doubted not that his only end and aim was th
happiness. Even those who dissented from the wise!
ures were, with limited exceptions, ever ready to adi
honest and meant well.
The almost invariable consequence was a full s
applause for the advantages he had the good fortune
Country in the course of his official career. Yet
thought and still think that the credit which has bi
him for the effective aid he rendered to his Countr;
in respect to Indian Affairs and by the success wit
executed has fallen far short of his deserts.
Certainly no other subject was of greater import
whether we regard the extent to which were involv
ment either the interests of humanity, our national ch
character of our political institutions, or the peace an
the Country.
It is not requisite here to enter on the question he
encroachments upon the red men may be allowed ti
selves mider the plea of a struggle between Civilizi
barism and to find excuse or palliation in the savage
characterized the resistance made by the latter to i
the former. By the events of the War of 1812 the;
duced from powerful tribes or nations to absolute
hopeless dependence uppn the clemency and justice
States. At the close of Mr. Monroe’s administrat
bered some three hundred thousand souls, less than
occupied reservations and other lands within our na
ries, lying within nineteen different States and Terr
the most untiring efforts had been made to that end ;
perience had demonstrated not only that any exertio
emment to fit them for incorporation with the whi
thro’ instruction and civilization would prove abortii
course which had been pursued, that of buying their
and thus bringing them in closer contact with the whi
278
AMERICAlfr HISTORICAL. ASSOCIATION.
and a large and influential portion of them decided to reinai]
they were, never to sell any more of their lands to the Gove
and to live, for the future, under laws of their own enactmer
representatives of that State, at the close of the same ses
which Mr. Monroe’s extra-message was sent in, charged,
floor of Congress, that this state of things had been brougli
by the intrigues of the officers of the General Governme:
openly questioned the good faith of the administration in t
ter. These suspicions were doubtless increased and the exc
of the parties in respect to them unduly inflamed by the
feelings which had arisen between the Secretary of Wa
Calhoun) and his numerous friends in South Carolina, on
part, and many of the prominent and influential public
Georgia, on the other; feelings which retained their bitten:
many years and extended their disturbing effects to other p
of the Confederacy.
'Such was the untoward condition of this great questioi
Congress adjourned and the Chief Magistracy of the Conn
volved on Mr. Adams. Of his desire to do what he thoug
as well for the Indians as for the United States, and, maki
allowances for his habitual distrust of the doctrine of State
for the States also^ there can be no doubt; but there is every
to believe that the policy of the plan of removal to the wesi
Mississippi, of which I have spoken^ was, at that time at le
favorably regarded by him. In the first three of his four
messages the subject was not even referred to. The Secre
War, Gov. Barbour, wrote a letter to the Chairman of th
mittee on Indian Affairs,^ in answer to its application for i
advice upon the general subject, in which he discoursed at
and eloquently upon the depressed condition to which the
Tribes had been reduced and the strength of their claims
justice and generosity, and sketched a plan for their remoi
suant to the suggestions made in Mr. Monroe’s message,
one could read his letter without seeing that its entire dri
not to promote such removal, but to throw obstacles in the
anything like an effectual execution of that policy. It i
appears that that letter was nut sanctioned by Mr. Adams
AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF MARTIH YAH BUEEH.
occupied a position next to Mr. Monroe in the precedin
tration, the severe denunciation by the Secretary of ^
only waj- in which the Indians could, in all human ]
be induced to remove, when added to the encouragements
Avhich Mr. Forsyth, who was too wise and too honest
false surmises on so grave a subject, openly announced c
of Congress that they had received from the under offi
late administration, induced, as it was natural to expect
influence, large portions of the Indians, sufficiently nui
powerful to defeat that policy, to decline all further ove]
the subject.
The result was a confederacy, openly formed between
ful tribes of Creeks and Cherokees, scattered over th
Georgia, Alabama and Mississippi, to prevent the sale o;
lands by the members or officers of their respective tril
establish themselves permanently within those States.
Other circumstances exasperated the feelings of the p:
immediately concerned to a height which threatened tb
the Country. During the last year of Mr. Monroe’s adn
a treaty was made with the Creeks in Georgia, by which
to all the lands they occupied within that State was ex
A portion of them believed to have been encouraged by 1
tions manifested toward them on the part of men in p(
various objections to that treaty and resisted its exec
allay these dispositions a new treaty was made, durin
year of the government of Mr. Adams, by which the foi
was declared to be annulled and some two or three hui
of the land released by it were left out of the new treat]
was of course greatly dissatisfied with this proceeding, n
on account of the value of the land attempted to be gi\J
the Indians as because it defeated the policy of their rer
the State for which she was most solicitous. She insistc
possessed a right to the soil and jurisdiction over the hi
occupancy of the Indians, subject only to the power o
to regulate commerce with the Indian tribes that she 1
to legislate for them in all cases not within that exceptic
280 AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION.
The legislature of Georgia passed a law in the form pr
by her Constitution, directing a survey of all the lands t*
the Indian title was extinguished by the first treaty. Learn
the surveyors under the direction of the Governor of the Si
entered upon the execution of the duties assigned to them
law referred to, the Little Prince and other dissenting C
the Creek Nation sent to the surveyor’s camp a manifestc
by them, ordered the surveyors “not to stretch a chain ov
lands” and, upon the attempt of those functionaries to ;
caused them to be arrested, and communicated the facts
President with a demand for the protection of the Federal
ment against further encroachment of the part of the !
Georgia.
In the year 1802 Congress passed an act to regulate tri
intercourse with the Indian tribes and to preserve peace
frontiers. It provided that if any citizen or other person,
in the United States, should make a settlement on lands be
to any Indian tribe, or should attempt to survey such land
they should forfeit one thousand dollars and be liable to
onment for a period not exceeding six months. It furnished
summary and very efficient means of enforcing the penal
such acts ; 1st by civil process to be executed when necessary
Military power of the United States, in any state of the
where the offender could be found, and his trial and pun
where found ; and 2d, by making it the duty of the militar
of the Federal Government to arrest all persons found (
Indian lands in violation of that act and to deliver them
Civil authorities of the United States in any one of the tl
joining states for trial and punishment.
The facts submitted to the Ihesident by the Creek Chi(
sented several very grave questions for his consideration in
instance viz : 1st, whether the case was of the character contei
by the act of 1802, and 2d, whether the claims set up by Geoit
valid and whether there was anything peculiar to the condi
the Indians which exempted their lands from a liability to
thority of the States that could not be questioned in regard i
owned by any other of her citizens.
AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF MARTIN VAN BUREN.
been intimated, by her utmost power, and thus a violent c
might have occurred between the authorities of the two (
ments if he had immediately used the military resources en
to him. But he stated distinctly that, if the laws of the
remained unaltered, and the state of Georgia persevered in
croachments upon the Indian territory, “ a superadded obi;
even higher than that of human authority, would compel t
ecutive of the United States to enforce the laws and ful
duties of the nation by all the force committed for that ]
to his charge.”
He submitted to Congress whether any further legislati'
necessary to meet the emergenc^^ None was suggested by
thought proper or necessary by Congress, but the exciteme;
d'uced in that body by the Message was intense and the
were unusually bitter but without any results in the way of
tion. In the Senate the select Committee to whom the IS
was referred, composed in part of supporters of the Adm
tion, unanimously reported a simple resolution, “that the
dent be respectfully requested to continue his exertions to
from the Creek Indians a relinquishment of any claims t(
within the state of Georgia,” which passed without a dis
^uice. But in the House, where the power of the Adminis
was far greater, the debate and proceedings were intempe;
both sides. The Committee appointed by the Speaker r
against Georgia on all points and concluded with resol ut
the effect that “ it was expedient to obtain a cession of the
lands within the limits of Georgia,” but that until a cession
cured, the laws of the land as set forth in the Treaty of
ington (the second treaty) ought to be maintained by all
sary constitutional and legal means. This report was made
last day of the session, too late, of course, to be acted upon, 1
ordered to be printed.
The Administration relieved itself before the next sesi
Congress from all further embarrassments upon that pa:
branch of the subject, greatly complicated by the President’^
siderate Message and the ground apparently taken by the
Committee in his support, by another ° treaty, extinguish
"T vJ •> J-V 4-*l XXx ^ J ^ A •£ XT'*\ I /-k T-v TL-l rt ^ 1 1/^ 4-T^ -ft
282
AMEEICAI^r HISTOEICAL ASSOCIAT]
a considerable extent of whites, some of them educ
in business affairs, taking the lead in carrying i
ciples for which they contended, proceeded to t
an Independent Govermnent, framed as they ins
can principles, within the bounds of Georgia, a
the 35th volume of Niles’ Eegister, will be foiii
the principal Chiefs to the General Council of tl
mamier of the official communications from tli
United States. In it they recommended to the Cc
diate representatives of the People, to send a im
advising that body to redeem its obligations to Ge
way than one based on the anticipation of furth
from them.
The conflicts thus occasioned between the sta
the Cherokees can easily be conceived. These con
Presidential election in which Mr. Adams was de
Message he seems to have viewed the matter in a
When we have had,” he says, “ the rare good i
them (the Indians) the arts of civilization an
Christianity we have, unexpectedly found them fc
of ourselves communities claiming to be indepe
rivals of sovereignty within the territories of t
Union. This state of things requires that a rem
vided which, while it shall do justice to those ui
of nature, may secure to the members of our fe^
of sovereignty and of soil,” and for an outline o
effect he recommends to the consideration of C
of the Secretary of War. Turning to that do
will find that the Secretary, Peter B. Porter, a
man, conversant with the Indian character and a
recommends substantially the policy contended
supported the claims of Georgia, including the
who remain to the municipal laws of the State
side.”
This Message of Mr. Adams was prepared she
tion in which his political fortunes had been ^
whatever hopes or plans he subseouentlv cheris
AXTTOBlOCiUMM J Y OF MMVVIN VAN IVUliEN.
in r(\ 2 :ar(l to a luatior which lu‘ (‘ould not but fed was
deepest import, and thus eonsi<lerino- ii, it was impossil
should have failed to arrive a(. conclusions. He d
atteid ion <o the point of o-iaaitest prominence and of e'reate^
the safety of the llnion. There was a plausil)ility, four
si\'t‘ly on tiie loose character of our dealinos with the In
ino’ the early period of oui- (Joveiaiment in the. j)retensio
cal power set up by them and on theii^ liehalf. He foin
tern already an impvnitni Jii hmpcrlo^ {)ei‘haps the most c
in the World, and of course re(iui!*ini>' the utmost care
hearaiu'e in the administration of each, suljjected in i
Stattss to the estal)lis] uncut witldm their bounds of a thii
numt claiminfi; soverei^-n and ind(‘p(mdcmt |)oliti(‘al |)owi‘
only so, but that we wei*e numaced with the imuKHliate est
of similar (h)vernments in one or two otluu* State's, and <
these succe(Mled, to the erection o-f otlu'rs lilo' tlu'm in a <1
and in all these' cases one bramd of tlu' ti'ipartile soN’cre'ie
Ik' lodjL^vd in savai 2 :<'s and hal fduH'i'ds. Tlu' (jiU'slieHJ pia'si'
mind by tlfis statt‘ of fa(*ts was as to thi' probability not t<
bility of om* ('xistiuii; national (‘on fealt'cal ion Ix'inn,' .,,.1
siicli a [)i’OC('ss-"-a (‘on IVdi'rat ion so (‘sst'ulial not only to I
and Inippinc'ss of tlu' pe'opU's of the Hnite'd Slab's but in a,
de<»:r('(', to the int('!’('sts of human lilx'rty and llu' hopt's
siderat(' friends throuo'hout tlu' world, and to tlu' ('scape'
(bans tlu'inse'l ve's from ult imate t'cif ain ainiihilat ion. Su
(jiU'stion, st rippe'd of immatt'rial issue's and mystifying
about whicli no sensible' man, looking' only to llu' n:o<>(l of
could it wemlel seem, iu'sitate' for a mouK'ni. Mr. Adams w
that tlu‘ hazards which ('uvirone'd it ou<>;ht not to
tei’C'd for the sake of a claim so immatma' and de'tVctive' as
Indians to s('! bii^ove'rnme'nt, and the' lannmiKe' in whi(‘h
islie'd (’on^re'ss in Iiis last- Me'ssap' of tlu' ma'cssity (d‘ a i
th(‘ ^*r(‘at ('vils with which the' (’ountry was tlire'.ateneel
of an (‘idi^hte'ned and patriot ic state'sman.
Se'crcdary Porter, in tlu' I’e'port re'fe'rre'd to by Mi*. Ae
‘‘M f the' poHeyV of (colonization be' a wise* om*, and of thi
one' eiite'iitiins a doubt, why not. shape' all our laws and
234 AMERICAlSr HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION.
-n-ork ’n-ould hare been accomplished in their day. But we ha
that they did neither, and it was now too late to secure its
under their auspices. When the Constitution makers of
strove to reconcile the first Napoleon to an abridgment of ]
mediate power by proposing to confer upon him authority tc
what should be done after his decease he promptly refused tl
for the reason that “ a dead man was nothing in respect to
whatever or whoever he may have been when alive.” The sar
be said of a President whom a few short months will dis
of his station in obedience to the decree of the People. The
had departed from Mr. Adams when he promulgated the
which I have quoted, the hopes of the supporters of his admi
tiou for restoration to power were then already turned to a
and their decision to the course they would take upon a quest
respect to which the public mind was so liable to be excited, v
partizan reasons, held in abeyance.
Substantially in the state which I have described, these i
stood until Gen. Jackson, then President elect, became Presic
fact; a state most unpromising for the colonization polic;
forthwith devoted his utmost efforts to the remedy of this
public evil and no man ever entered upon the execution of
ficial duty with purer motives, firmer purpose or better qualifi
for its performance. It seemed a task iirovidentially reser's
one so admirably fitted for it by the elements of his charact
by his past experience.
Except perhaps the single subject of slavery there could nc
been one more liable to seizure and appropriation to thei
purposes by political and partizan agitators than that now unc
consideration. As the Christian .religion had been the g
agent of civilization throughout the world, the Government
not, in attempting to extend its blessings to the Indians, c
invoke the co-operation of the Christian ministry. Clericf
sionaries were accordingly sent among them and the Countr’
time to time heard of the great success which had attende(
labours of love. Clergymen are not over liberal as partr
power over a subject to the management of which their
is admitted and they soon assumed the principal guardians
AUTOBIOGRAPHY OP MARTIH VAH BUEEH.
become one of the responsibilities under which the Pres
The Society of Friends was another large interest wh
the right to speak and seldom failed to makeTtself h
spect to every movement of the Government that rel
Indians and they too entertained apprehensions in re;
course to be expected from the “unbridled democracy
President Jackson, was in their estimation, the favored
It had become manifest that the removal of the Indiai
be brought about by any measures of which the exter
laws of the State, with the approbation of the Fede;
ment, over those who remained, after all proper meai
exhausted to provide for their welfare in a suitable ai
home, did not form a part. That such measures wou]
proved of by the powerful classes of whom I have spok(
tively certain, and it had therefore become indispensa
success that their execution should devolve upon a mg
willing, in the performance of his duties, to encounter ■
tion — a qualification which had not yet been found in ar
after the necessity for such measures had occurred. It ^
less necessary that he should be one whom experience
thoroughly conversant with the Indian character, not oi
them but being also well known by them as one who wo
be promised, whether it was an act of liberality or of i;
as one who, tho’ not disposed to withhold from them
that would promote their welfare and that could be e^
sistently with the safety of our institutions, would not
same time, to exert all the means lawfully within his rea(
plish his object.
Gen. Jackson entered upon the consideration of thi
subject at the earliest practicable moment and strove foi
plishment of his policy as long as there was reason to h
cess, regardless of obstacles which would have discouraj]
guine minds. For the first time, I believe, since the estal
the Government, the subject of Indian affairs- was specific
in the Inaugural Address. As he [the President] was e
a practical man and felt that the matter must constitut
leading concerns of his administration he thought the s<
286
AMERICAN' HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION.
and he now advised them to go there. He assured
that if they chose to remain in Alabama, and to come
of that State, they might rely on his protection, t
should be set off to them and their families in fee, and
be secured in all the rights and privileges enjoyed b;;
pie ; that his whole course towards them should be st
franloiess and sincerity by which his dealings with
always been distinguished and which a full experieii
him was the most likely to be successful in the end.
the Indians in Georgia and Alabama to be officially in
project of establishing independent Governments w:
in which they resided would not be countenanced bj
This notice 'was, he said, due to them, and would,
the effect to nip in the bud the movement in that
commenced in Mississippi, and to discourage such i
they were contemplated, in the other States having
their bounds.
When Congi*ess met he made to that body the r
communication of his views upon the whole subject
Message. He placed the claims of the Indians upor
tion and favor on the grounds he thought they dese
and avowed his readiness to promote all constitutio
cable measures for their gratification. He then gave
holding that their pretensions in respect to the orga
arate governments were unfounded, demonstrated
cability, foreshadowed the ruinous results to our coi
would inevitably result from any attempt to establi
in them by the power of the Federal Government, ar
explanations with the following equally specifi'
tions : — ^
iTho MS. hero directs tlie inclusion of the following?: As a me;
end, I su.i?£rest, for your consideration, the propriety of setting apa
Wh'st of the Mississippi, and without the limits of any State or Te
to be guaranteed to the Indian tribes, as long as they shall occupy i
a distinct control over the portion designated for its use. There 1
in the enjoyment of governments of their own choice, subject to n(
the United States than such as may be necessary to preserve peace
between the several tribes. There the benevolent may endeavor to
of civilization ; and by promoting union and harmony among them,
esting commonwealth, destined to perpetuate the race, and to attes
of ilio (M’roiuHJUs n'k^vs lio had at first (Mitioi aimaf aiul his virt
adoption of (lie r(‘(‘oniin(nulat ion of his SiM-ndas'v of W'ai' in fa
of the very ineasure (Jen. Ja(*kson now pi’oposiah Indoiv. hinn ;
considorinit; that tlio }yoliti(‘a! party from whirh aloiu' !u‘ had i
reason to appredumd opposition to his policy had not only hroii
tlu^ pixn’ious Administration into lieinir !>ul was yi‘t fi'csh froii
^'i’(‘at battle, for its (‘ont inuaiua* in powm% it is m^t- sur{)i*isiiii‘: t
a man of rlaeksoifs training, unvtn’sed in tlu^ ways of politiei;
should lnn'(‘ counted upon a <»:(‘iuu'al eommrrence in tlu^ p!*aist*woi-
vi(‘ws he had dis(‘losed upon a subject so int(U*(‘st ino' |o humai
and so iinportant to tlu^ [)ublie int(‘n‘sl. But 1 h‘ was soon furnisl
with ample resasons to <‘onvinci^ him that any hop{\s and anti(‘i
tions of that. (‘liara<‘t(M* wi*n‘ nuua^ <k*lusions. d'hat partv^ kn
as well as any future evemt of that nature couhl be known, of
^rcrit cont(‘st with him on tlu* Ihuik <jiuvsti<ui which imptmded, ;
tat^HU'ly s(^izt*<l tin* tmnptiui^ op|)oi‘t unity pn‘siml(Ml bv th(» Ind
diflitailt i(‘s to (U'ipple liis Administ i*a( ion in advamaa Without, s
ovstino- anythino- of (h(‘ir stall' in lav^pi'ct to the otlu'r branch
tlu‘ diviiu' injunction, thosi* [Kniisan- wm’e ctu’tainly not as hai
k's^; as do\a's, and knowino- fall well that we ha<l not as V(‘t. had
Br(*sident. possissst'd of sutru'iimt moral (‘ouranv to (had with 1
subject in the way in which aloiu' it could hi' wis(*!\' tiaaitial tl
wtu’e slow to b('li(‘V(' that thi,-. uidlcdpal Stati' inan wotdd !h‘ a
to d(y so sucia'ssfully, and tlu'V ihUtuaniiual not to fon‘^»:o Iht'
vanta,Ln‘s it sia'inial to oiler.
'Fill' first st(‘p was tin* passa.u’e of a law clothing (he ExiMuitive w
ad(‘<{uate powmas if tlu' Indians eonsimtiMl to riumo'e and tin* n
to obtain th(>^ir consc'ui to its <s\ecu(ion. Without smanass in
latter opmdy and fairly obtaima!, ( hm. riackson did m^l de .in' it
th(‘ .u’t'iu'ral obji'ct howi'ver important lu' considen*d it to tlu' j>ul
wid fa i*(‘.
The EommittiM's on Indian Atfaiias in both House's reportia
liill, short, simph' and cianpndumsi vi* and tlum bdlowi'd the dt‘
stru^^^d(‘, for its passa^i', for such, e‘spi‘cially in tiu' iiousi' of Ivh'i
st'ntat ive's, it (mii>ha( icnlly was. TIh' Bill aiithoi'ized the Ihv id
to cause' so much of (In* ti*rritory of (1 m‘ rnited Stati' , \v(*st of
Mississippi, as hi', niiirht judm* ne'ci'ssai'y to Im* di\-idtM| inf(, a m
tdde* nuinbeu* ed’ Districts for tie* ivia'ption (d‘ iich tribes ov nati
<d Indians as miniil. (dioeKs* to excham.o' the* lands on whit‘h f
lh(‘ii ii'sideal and to re'moM* then’**: to t‘\ch'M,ir|» .su«‘h distrieis u
any trilH* oi- natiem. thou n-idinn’ within tlu* limits of any State*
\TGr6 tliB StSbtGS to Gxtingxiisli the Inclia-i
compensation to the Indians for their improvemei
vide all necessary aid for their removal and for tl
one year afterwards, with suitable clauses securing
and protection of the United States as recoinmende
dent in his Message.
MTien this Bill was taken up in the Senate, the bo
subject was first acted upon, Mr. [Theodore] Frelinj
Jei’sey, moved to add to it the following section :
Sec. 9. That until the said tribes or nations shall choose
this act is contemplated, they shall be protected in their prese
in the enjoyment of all their rights of territory and governr
exercised and enjoyed, from all interruptions and encroachn
The clause attempted to mark the nature and ext
of self-government proposed to be reserved to the In
ing as a fact what was denied ° that it was a right t
tofore exercised and enjoyed.” But the design in
phraseology employed was to make the proposition i
than it would if the right intended to be reserved
plainly set forth in the additional section. It was
appears from the debate, to test the principle as to
Indians to maintain independent political Governn
States in which they resided, under the belief tha
would involve the fate of the colonization policy ar
defeat it, as no one would for a moment believe t
would remove as long as the power of Congress stood
port them in the exercise of that degree of sovereign
The Whig party (as the opposition was then call
perfect unanimity in favor of Mr. Frelinghuysen’s
against the Bill. A more persevering opposition to i
had scarcely ever been made. Few men would
deny that it was a factious opposition waged to
terests of party at the expence of the highest
Country, upon grounds which were not tenable and
poses which were not practicable, — or, if practice
become so thro’ the agency of the U. S. Army and
struction of the Confederacy. The subject was disc
intemiission, from the 9th to the 26th April, whei
section, offered by Frelinghuysen, was rejected, e'
ator voting in favor of it as did also the only Jacksi
Pennsylvania, and the Bill passed the Senate by a
that Senator finally voting in its favor. The op|
expect to defeat it in the. Senate. The, debate a.nr'
might prodiuv. on the i)ii-l)Ii(* mind ;uul, lln'oiigh ihat s<
popular l)rancli of (^ongress. It wjis to tlu‘ House of
lives that they looked as tlu\ theatfe of triuni})li au
shewed that they had very sti’ong o-rounds foi* tlu‘ eoi
entertained of such a result. Tlie. niajoritv of wind-
Jackson men in tliat body was sixty live, but i( wa:
degree composed of gentlemen who Inul shoi'lly hefo
(lill'erent politics from the mass of his supporters and t
oidy new in the repul)lican fellowship, l>ut many of tl
well instructed or very deeply imbued in the priiudiples
they had joined. This class of the (leneral’s fj’iends
iarly liable to be iidluenced l)y the dread of giviiij
the Quakers and to the religious (‘onmumiiies, and
to eommnnicate their api)r(diensions to their new ass(
intlnence of this feeling was sirlkingly (‘xhil)ited in tiu
delegation from Pennsylvania. whi(*hj tho' more (\\|)ose<i
to a, Quaker panic, was in olher n^speeis mori*. ivlied
count of the very general and vtuy strong at(arhmtu\t o
to (xeneral fIa(*kson who, in a great degina*, stakctl tlu‘ s
administ ration upon this measure. Of luu* twenty six
whom all hut one were*. eU^ehsI as fla<‘ksoii nuMi) only ^
the Hill, thr(‘e of those siihscajmmt ly vottal agtiinst
(juestion hec‘ans<‘, it would cut oil* an anuaulmtmt, wl
defetd- tlu‘. measure in a I'oimd ahoid way, (wo of Ihei
dillicnlty l)ronght to the linal voitu and such men
Huchaiian and |(ieorge (}.] Leiper, tlu‘ lattiu* rt^pnsstudi
district, IV.It themselves constrained to shoot (h(‘ pit. '
(lutmees |)roduced similai* (dlects upon th(‘ rc'prestud-aii
Stat(‘s and the result- was that nfivr a (hhatt‘ as protra
cited as any that had ever ludniH^ taktm plact* iii that Im
withstanding the large nominal pr(‘pond(‘rance in favo
ministration, tlu^ measure recommended by th(‘ Pn^siden
in the Ilous(‘ Iw a ma j(»rity of only four on a piudimiuar^
liv(‘ on its linal j)assag(‘J
Congress had performed its duty by the (mnctimnd of
the Constitution as well as his oath of olfun imposed u|
id(ud; the obligation to see to its ex(H*ntion. Annlhe.!* op|
thus pr(»sented to the opponents of his AdminisI rat ioi
th(‘ir actions that they pia(‘(Hl a. Idigher \:duc up<m ih
ilu‘. (\)imtry and the welfare of i!ic Imlians than up(i
<jU(‘sts, l>ut. uiifortnnatAdy for those iidori‘.ds and h
290
aiceeican historical associatiok.
They were too much encouraged by their extraordinary sue
makino' converts in the House of Kepresentatives to heed su
sideratlons. They foresaw as they thought the political adv
of the struggle which had been fomented by their unfound
tension to eSminate in their triumph at the ensuing Pres:
election, aU unconscious of the utter overthrow of their hopes
was o-atWing strength in the sober second thoughts of the
They set every engine in motion to throw obstructions in the
the President, and received a full measure of cooperation fro
usual auxiliaries in great crises, the Press, the Courts of hi
last tho’ far from least in power and influence, the Church.
If the question had been one of power simply the Pi
would have soon settled it, but he could not act effectively, i
he desire to do so, without the consent of the Indians and
both too wise and too just to take any steps to obtain that
which the good sense and good feeling of the Country woi
finally approve. Those who understood his character soon
satisfied of this, but those who did not hoped to drive him
of violence which would destroy his popularity. Hence they
every thing he did, and responded to every act of resistance
pai't of the Indians and by such measures of co-operation t
suited to the habits of civilized life.
The Chei’okees refused to meet the President in Council t
tiate upon the subject of their lands, and answered his in vita
a legislative act denouncing the penalty of death against a
of their nation who should attempt to sell their lands with
assent of the National Council. In their Memorial to C(
rising in their pretensions, from the encouragement they r(
they claimed to be a Sovereign State independent as well
Federal Government as of Georgia, and as such one of their
undertook to stop the mail on its passage over their lands
sisted the exercise of criminal jurisdiction by that State [G
within their bpunds.
Those portions of the Press favoring the pretensions of
dians to the right of self-govenment were at the same tim
with encomiastic accounts of the prudence of the Cherokees
their canacit.v for tllA diRfqia.rO'p. n-f ifa rLU.iAc; anrl
AUTOBIOGRAPHY OP MARTIH VAH BUREjST.
to the Legislature by the Governor of Georgia with a d
that orders from the Supreme Court interfering with the
of their State courts in such a matter, would so far as rela
Executive Department, be disregarded and any attempt i
them resisted with all the force the laws had placed at his
Thus were the pacific relations between the Federal Gc
and one of the States of the Confederacy a second time e]
by high functionaries of the former, but the danger wa
now, as at the first, by the firmness of the State authoriti
abandonment of their avowed intentions on the part of the.
Nothing further was done with the Writ of Error, bul
ings to the same end were instituted in a different form. I
filed by Mr. Wirt, in the same Court, in favor of “The
Nation against the State of Georgia,” praying an injunct
strain that State from executing the laws of the State "v
Cherokee territory.
Georgia refused to appear to the Siunmons or to have
to do with the proceedings. The hearing was therefore
but the application was notwithstanding argued at gre
and, as the new^spapers said, with great ability,, by Mess
and Sergeant, of course for the Cherokees. The Suit wa
by them, claiming to be a “Foreign State” under the arti
Federal Constitution, defining the extent of the judicial
the Federal Government. The Supreme Court held, unn
that their claim to be so regarded was manifestly untenab
ruling, there was, of course, an end of the i)roceeding. As
tiffs had no right to appear in that Court in the charactei
assumed for the purpose, they had no right to ask its o
any point in the case they had presented. But Chief eTiu
shall, who delivered the opinion of a majority of the Cot
concurring with the Whole Bench that the Plaintiffs had
to bring the suit, went on notwithstanding, as he did in tl
case of Marbury and Madison, to deliver an e-xtm-judioici
upon one of the material points presented by the case,, anc
that “ so much of the argument of counsel as was intendet
the character of the Cherokees as a as a distinci
Society, separated from others, capable of managing i
3 1 ^
with this he was pleased to add that “ if it was true that •
had been inflicted on the Cherokee nation, and that still i
were to be apprehended, that was not the tribunal to redr
past or to prevent the future.”
Justices Baldwin and Johnson^ delivered separate opinior
curring in the only point the Court was competent to decide, 1
senting from all that was said beyond. Mr. Peters, the Ee
decided to puhlish the case immediately^ separately from the
in which it would appear in the ordinary course^ and to give
his own language) ^"Mr, WirPs great argument in behalf
Cherokees^ lohich had been taken down by stenographers em
for the purpose!
Is it possible for an intelligent mind to doubt that the de:
these extraordinary proceedings, as well the extra-judicial c
of the Court as the electioneering pamphlet gotten up by
porter, was the same, or that that design was to operate uj
public mind adversely to Georgia and to the President?
The Cherokees, as they well might do, regarded the opinion
Court, on the great point in controversy between them and G
as expressed in their favor, and contended that the Preside
bound by it and said so in an Address by their Chiefs and He{
to the People of the United States, which, with Mr. Peters’ ]
was |)ublished and scattered over the whole Country.
To sustain this suit it was necessary that two points, inde];
of its merits, should be decided in their favor : Ist, that the
kees were a foreign State, in the sense of the Constitution, an
that the Supreme Court was competent so far to exercise the p
power as to enjoin the action of a State Government in the
exercise of its sovereignty. It required an extraordinary str
charity to believe that their learned and intelligent counse
have entertained the slightest confidence in the tenability o]
position. The fact that the majority of a Court composed c
political friends, honorable men but cherishing sympathies ii
of the cause in whicli the great abilities of the counsel w(
ployed as strong as their own, rejected both propositions ^
hesitation, makes overwhelmingly against the good faith in
the proceedings were instituted. They could not therefore cc
that their political opponents, as well as the cool judgment o
who were not politicians, regarded the whole proceedings i
tious, not to say factious, and designed for political effect;
was a source of deepest mortification that those who moved in
in the course of its Drosecution, succeeded in obtaining th
AMEEICASr HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION.
294
lar. with the utmost severity consistent with Avhat was
sex' and to her respect for myself, neither of which was
of overlooking. Well aware of the tenacious grasp
her opinions, in matters of conscience, weie held a
lier character doubtless, in some degree, derived from
notish blood which flowed in her veins,— and thinkin
unsiiitable for the argument, I made but little answer to ;
and, on leaving the room, she said, yet holding the do
‘•Uncle! I must say to you that it is my earnast wis
may lose the election, as I believe that such a result oi
low such acts!”
Tinien such feelings were in this way produced on s
towards a relative for whose welfare she cherished a ?
ardent and as sincere as she did for any other human
parents having been both, long before, removed from thi
she having neither brother nor sister, it is not difficult
how strong must have been the influence of this subject in
Many other incidents of this great struggle, not less
than those of which I have spoken, crowd upon my reco
I do not feel at liberty to extend the space already appi
the subject. It was my intention, in particular, to ha’
more fully than I have yet done the admiralile bearing
statesmanship displayed by Gen. Jackson throughout thi;
sincere and persevering efforts to bring the Cherolcees i
his meetings with the Chickasaw and Choctaw tribes, ma
had fought bj' his side in the war of 1812, his renewal to
the Creeks of the advice he had given to the latter on the
under consideration, immediately after the disastrous h
Horse Shoe, the I’estoration of the confidence of the tribe
cerity of his friendship for them, his success in prevailing
to conform to the policy of the Government by rcnio\’ing
and his influence upon the excited Georgians inducing
hibit a mildness and a conciliatory spirit in tluiir acts wi
matter of comment and surprise to their and his opponc
must forego this design.
The day of election came on, not only under the
AUTOBIOGBAPHY OE MARTIISr VAH BUREET.
and support of the Cherokees in their political pretensic
longer insisted on by the anti- Jackson party- The idc
Indian sovereignties swayed by savage customs and conn
the borders of certain states of our confederacy, was exp^
laws of the States according to the recommendation o:
Porter, were shaped without hindrance, to the promoi
only rational policy — ^that of removing the Indians beyon
of the bad influences inevitable from association and cont*
the white men. The President, forgetting or overlook
stacles that had been thrown in his way, pursued his poli
accustomed energy and perseverance, and his labors were
crowned with complete success. I say hk Ittboiirs for that
was emphatically the fruit of his own exertions. It wai
ment, his experience, his indomitable vigour and unresti;
that secured success. There was no measure, in the whol
his administration of which he was more exclusively the a
this. His Secretary of War assisted to the extent of his
advised freely with me on all occasions and gaA'o such we
advice, relating chiefly to the manner of doing what ]
ought to be done, as he thought it deserved, which was
but frequently more than it was really entitled to, but h
mind, hand and spirit that controlled throughout.
Gen. Jackson’s success excited as it deserved the admi
ai^plause of the wdse and the good. He has received a lar
the gratitude and praise of the ximerican Peo])le for 1
his life, both in the military and civil service of his Go
in my opinion, there were none better entitled to such re'
those which affected the important subject of which I lu
I may have considered it in more detail and at greater 1
was necessary, but I have been influenced by views which
entitled to much force. The fact that what was done in
was more exclusively his own doing than could be said oi
measure of his administration and therefore furnishe;
reliable illustration of his character, and the inadeqiu
credit which these services have as yet received have be
noticed. But there are higher motives for a thorough re^
whole subject. Unlike histories of many great questions
296
AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATIOI
resjjonsible. in foro coi^SGientiae^ to the opinions of
of nations, as it involves the course we have pursuec
towards a people comparatively weak, upon whom
in the beginning unjustifiable aggressors but of who
of time and events, we have become the guardians
the benefactors. It has appeared to me that tho
the character and interests of the United States a
this subject, may hereafter be committed, cannot
interested in if not materially benefitted by a trn
views, motives and transactions of their predecesi
it on an occasion so critical as was that which I ha^
CWWTKll XXI n.
I’ln^ ami scainvlv loss iuqxa'taui. subj(‘ct lo which V
Jackson <iavc his altontion was Uial of iiKiM'iial iinpro
iiiuUvr tla^ authority of (iio Kcilci'ul ( uyvcrnincul. (incsi
rcpirtl to it hiul constituted the staple of a very large [>r-
(h (lie debates in Congress for many years ladore bis acce
(lie Presidency; indeed, this Ir.ul beim thi‘ case, with brit
missions, since tiie terinina.t ion o{ the U ar oi 181 J,
voungei* Statesnum, as has been Indore intinuded, lull ol
couinumdal)! V ambitions to Sfrurr, thc/ coididiuice and nc
posed to enjoy the favors <d‘ the People, ha<! assigned to it
iiumt [Hisition anmiig tin* l)lessings with wliich they proi
iiiipro\'(“ atul ihi* ('ouniry.
Mr. Oullalin.' in IStis, in olirdicnci' in a r(’si)liiii(in ol llu
at 'ui'r pnavdiiuj: srssion, oirnvd liy Mr. Worlliin^lon,'-’ '
niudr an claltoraln ivporl rinlirariiui; ilm onllinrs ol' a L-vn
Iciii of inlcrnal imiiruvcnuMil. , and (he . nltiiMi was anain^
to l.v Mr. .IrlVrr.s.n in I'is nrM and last in.-ssarx-. Havi
pnavion,. nu— a.rtr. d.-darrd ihr n.aa-: : ily _< d' an addiiioi
cnnnu-ralrd powi-rs of ( '<.n!i:n‘s.; I<. aiithori/r works,
;,.p„k.‘ <d' lln> di l>o. ilion of a : iirplns rrvcnnn, Ihr acai
of whirl) hr drrinrd jirohahlr, and askrd wlirtlnn- ii shoiif
frrrd to rnnain iin prodnrl ivr in oiir vaults, he rt‘ilur<'
apiir<)[iriatr<l to tlu‘ iinpi'ov rmriits ol roads. ru,na Is, rivri
lion ninl ollirr wnsit foiindalions (d’ proslicrily and nni'
the. powers we- may already possess, or sm-1. aanendnieni
('oiislilnlion as miyld hr approve.! hy Hir. Siairs.” Mr.
1., eiilillrd lo tlir .-r.Mlil, lie tiiul whai il may, of having
iir,,t lo hrin^- llu' \e.\rd <|Uei-ti<m .d’ Coiisl il id lonal poW'
Comna-ss for its imme.lialr deri.dion. .V p-hinre af Ihi* 1
<,r the .piedion in respe.-l, (o t!ie power of < 'onu'ress ovei
j,M't. will here Ih> neither out .d' place nor wilhouf inlrrosl
.Mexander Hamilton, if no! llu' s'-lr anilmr of ilie pr
i,„,,rH.d pow.ms, . l.iod at. the hea.t of lho: e who:-.- do.-tnnr ■
f,, 11,,. eon trnrii.m ..f Ih.' ( 'on, 1 it ni in,, were .-u,,, a.li-tvd
1.. ,;, Hi,-: opinion in favor of Ihe Hank .d l!
! ,■..,.,,,•1 mannfaellire.' were t h,‘ ample
ilti LiltJiCXUiO — --0 _
that principle as efficient as possible. Yet he disci
terms powers in Congress to construct roads and c
States, with or without their consent. If there wi
doubt upon that point, wliich there could not well
poit on manufactures, it has been fully cleared up
opments. By that report he carried the money po
enmient to an extent which did not admit of enlarge!
it in terms so felicitously as to satisfy the wildest th(
of other powers, the exercise of which would be x
marked prominence to that we are considering : “ Syi
tion to the improvement of inland navigation whic
“ lately appeared in some quarters must fill with pi
warmed with a true zeal for the prosperity of the
examples, it is to be hoped, will stimulate the exert
eminent and citizens of every State. There can cei
ject more worthy of the cares of the local administra
to be wished that there was no doubt of the fowei
Government to lend its direct aid on a comprehensi
then proceeds to shew why the thing could be bei
latter.
Such language coming from a man of his known
receive but one construction, and in his letter to M:
years afterwards, in which he drew up a jprogram
that ought, in his judgment, to be taken by the pa
uses the following langmage: “an article ought to
be added to the Constitution for empowering C
canals in all cases to which it may be necessary ■
thro’ two or more States or through the territory o
the United States.” This letter, which has now, f<
come to light thro’ the publication of Hamilton’s
brings our knowledge of his opinion to the point
tainty. He was not the man to go to the People (
additional power if he believed that a claim to tt
sired was at all tenable under the Constitution as it
Mr. Calhqjm’s Bonus Bill, introduced at the first
peace proposed to set apart and pledge the Banlc I
“ fmid for constructing roads and canals and impi
gation of water courses in order &c. &c.”, and in
speech he treated the question of power as indubii
to the circumstance that no measure of the kind had
introduced he attributed the omission to the adv(
Country in regard to the finances and other cans
Ai rtuutHULVpn V of ,\rAUTrx vax !Uo:h.\.
his, as it in truth a.^ a phuunn’ [u-ujtMl. "" I'o parh
iHunitaitiun from Maim* tt^ Liaiisiaiia, tin* roniu'xion o:
with (hr ilthlMUi (n r<auHH‘t llu‘ n’nad rouiiucrria
t hr Atlant ir, Phila<h‘Iphia, 1 ha It inuH'r, \\’ashin<i.1nn,
(1iarh‘st(}n tunl Savannah with (hr Whvstrrn Stattvs am
(1 h‘ intriaaau'si’ hrtwtam (hr Wh'st- ami New ()rhains^" \
(hr nhjrrfs hr. (‘ofitrinplattah Kvrn "riinnthv rirk(n‘ini
liatl nn tlillirulty in fimlin^* c‘X(ais(‘s for support ini^’ Ali'
liilh coiiltl liot refrain fiaan (‘Xprt‘-;sini»* his ilisstnii I'ron
tiu* latter ha<! taktm of tiu' (Vmstitntion, which lu‘ thonn
tndinarian ^ he did rmt admit tlu^ latitmh* "of const rii
hy (Iu‘ irt‘ntlenian from South (Carolina to th(‘ terms of ll
(ion. Ih^ ha<l <|Uotrd that part <d’ (hi* ( 'oust it ut ion wldn
('’onirrt'ss had p<»wrr ‘Mo lay ami collect taxt'S, dutii*s, i
rx<‘isrs''' for what pui‘posiM, in orthn* 'Mo pay tla‘ deh
\ idr ft)r tin* comnmn d(‘lenr(‘ and inmrral wrirarr"\ am
‘umlleman had iiifrri’rd that as roadi: ami canals \^o^ild
tln‘ common drlVncc and pcnrral \\(‘lfar(* thrr(‘forr i\
ptjwtn* to make r<»ads ami canals. If this intrrpri^tat iim
.-litnlion I h* correct llu*ii t la* ,uh rt jUiait (‘numeration of
’ upeiilmni . fo!* (Im‘ t(‘rm.; 'Mo pro\ idt* for the p'cner:
would (‘mhracr I1 h‘ folhrviuir t‘numei’at(‘t| p<»\V(‘r;; ami
iman:inahh‘ (jower (la* tsxerci i* of whicli \V(»uld pr(yiu<it(‘
’A id fa na'*
Mr. i day, i hen Speaker, conyrat ulati’d M r. ( 'a Ihoun oii t
ha\itiir inlroducial tin* oihject, ami Idr, (’ountrv on tluc
; 1 h‘ could md fail to derate frinn the* nnananM* prop<*"'‘‘d, an
an nn(‘<|ul\ cyca! opinif»n in favor of it : <‘onst it ut i(mality
ua ahly oppo cil hy .M‘Vi*ra! ami paid ii’ulardy that !nme
fuiri* patriot, IMiilip Ik liarhour, <d’ \‘iri»;inia, hy ar^nm
.Vie IV. (day and (‘allnain in \ain atlemptial to I’id’ute.
w it h- (amliny, pa lo’d hy a Miiall ma jority in t hi‘ ll<tnsi‘'a
in tin* S(*nate, after a specion ; annmdimmt raajuiriny (he a
Statesto I he tsxpemlit tire of t 1 h‘ money within their respec
Mr. Madiom, ill at (*as(\ I eannol. douht, from ha\iny
yivam his assent t(» tin* n* cstahlishimml of a Icank, an art
with oriin'inles vital to t In* ( oird it nt ion. (d‘ which Ihv aln:
3U(>
A M ’A \ I i 1> i‘‘ Al
" ' i \ Tin \ .
UpcHl tin* ( ll U( 1< liupilt {i;i \ » 'li*' li ; ^ ^ i i *\t n I » *| ni *| |
of tlii‘ p:i-L in his Av Mi‘- ap's v^.il;. i i>' ) :! i ui \ ainl Irli*
t‘\| i« >n in \\hi‘*h hi* ha*! n‘* i'anai, ‘; = - ;> *<^'1 l,ir iinaMU in
alitv <irt!u‘ im'a.^iUA* ami iht' ni <'1 Ha' vril \, iiiaa h;!!
ihi'own it ' <‘Iiar;ni<‘r in tna '*^'■■ = .,1 , .a i :i* I'hniM* f jn
|Hhnt^ of \li*\v. Hi;- fn«‘- anr .h'priu^n lla- Hill nf ihr lualM
h;nl <»htaimal in ila* Hun i*, tn ulm h it mi i-aMuH. hut it d
(•(»n\inrr Clay, CallaMiu or \\h*i- U'i\ aU <-i uhoiti vn!a,l for
wit h>tandina* 1 la* \i*{o. Hih
[,■.•.1 Mr. «'
1 IV
VO, 1 ■ o r
■a'oT I o 1 ,|;u>i
M‘lf on n*rord in fa^or of ii
>,■ :i!. 1
f-r
.pu. nan
1 of Con n If 1
powt'F t hat , a it ho' n* *1 ohi ;:•<
. h A >pn t
, i.‘ \ -I.',
Mi.
! hoi o ■ .oiUn
hr flainiiMl tlir rmht to do
o in t ! at
» "1,
< hi !!a mil w a
a ftrr ap|»olnfrij Srrrrt am o
.f \V:i< 1.'.
Mr
M..')r...
• and ro'f ’ roh
Ctmorio;-. 1 n his ln*:-t lo p*
at III than .
Al thr lir i . t' ’a m of i!
11 *• m ' 1 '
A
(
1 ho u! » jr»
anaiu I'Toirrih iorv.urd !*'
1 lol-'M h
I';,.!. .
or i a- Iv'!', ■
man t>f fh«* ('onimitfro tni K*oa»C aiisl i
' All
a! , :i !.*
] si'o .'jii aii \ o
Stall* of \'irnlnia, l la*' la'l
an adh*'!'.
A.t
hm- j
o! ."oj, d in;^' pi
His lu'port .' it t ainotl I ho *
.•o t n -‘-a
. O 1 i
V and *■
vpo'iirfi \ o
jmai’ nrrs a> tliat uhii’h Mt
M >.i: ..ii’
'n. 1
»h-fo.i?od' an
rlmli'd v\ it !i a lo* oint ton in
aor» n da Ml
a h ! h<' 1
d.'pou. Mi,
in an olahoratr ami ah!-'
'pr.-.'h m
, j .
M. d 'SO*'
po . I ion , t.
i H' i < nr t a kon. 1 ii t . t Ir ! 'h i r
' a! .. t. ..
t V:,*-:- .
■'■•!■ pS'liiM? 1
pnhlio \ if'A W^illiam I ml
1 ' , of
h t
. 1 1 o i . 1 . i ,
a i 0.1 11 rConi
tin* iH^ffinninp <*f hi- pnl.iia hha all n-'* oa--.| a, sih uni< !i
Ci’a! (li~4iti''t n’oltitnai InanC \!i. Ha.*n,ir
Mih:.|i!u{f for that roport*'.] t t «a-;uo»ov. I o if ulu^h^'
tht‘ rvAW in apf>ro|.r;,ii.‘ i>-v in - trn of p* . f
mil it a lA ami ♦ a iirr ro:rd ajai to m.iAa .o o ioa ! ■ -i‘ i >■ i =o .o
<»r \^afrr « our. r . pi t-d !»?, u -i Pt ;!j |o| vofs- .
Alliah ;!■■ rflrd ;i po\'o*r fo Vi tlv :i i f-.oj-. 'aoj -.,UjP :i
roimnarar iH-!1\roii ih*- >f .i!**- , !■*»»■» *’ A';.. I » on^,' .!-.]■ luail:!r
poo*'., Wrl'r o‘Vi"!'a!C isi^d pi
wrrt‘ prr; injO'if ian Mm Ui i,f i no .'•
tho iloii'.it tiad fiilU i'\prs'., j'd -.u t-mr of 'in.- i lo
priata iiiofiiA'' for i hr aoii frm-foirt of in,-! ar il': ,in.| hi
rmanrit o!a I lai.'i ion t** propo- at , rmhj.i.''i!o ih-if oOj,.. f,
Ari’nitltHlUAPH V iM MAIt’riN' VAX MI’llEX,
aoi
Mr. Lo\viuif> thn>u^id-huul rluU'arIrri'/iHl in* aiintrsly,
t‘:uniMtir ;iiul nr’iM’it v ulurh r«>uuuantliH! tlu* r^*Njn*(*i tU’ all ata! run*
i’lliaU’il fur thi»ir asithur {1 h‘ of t*veii whu dissanlrd from
rori'iM’t fU‘->, Hi* aduiittril tluu puhl’u* \V(H*k>, us usu’ci
r'idVri'tal uu Wiiulil in all |irnimliility i»n luurt^ tnaujoiuifiiUy aia! laUtar
rouxtniiitHl wluni the frnit (d' iiuiiviilual initi*rj>risu, (u* wlunt iiuulr
liiidiT !l}i‘ authority uf the Stntr^, iait rn:u|:>. aiul ranals had, la‘ saiih
Ihhui ohjinvts uf attentiuti tu (H^vtauimrui in all ( ouutiai'S and thny
\\vn\ ill hi.N u[diuuiy luuT.saary works of that th‘>fri[»t inn that woidd
tunin' hr rtuist nuiril unlt^ss by llu‘ Ftalrral t luMnamunil , and sinrrn‘!y
hrtiininji that (’(*n^i’r>s pny.M*SMal tin* na|ui.sitr i>o\\i*r lu* was in fa\(>r
uf lm\in*r tlunn inailr uudrr it- authority and at tlir r\|nni.n* of flic
nat itm.
lh‘ wa . uuliapjvil} ohliy'tnl fu wiiiv from puhru* lift* at tlu* ap‘ of
fort\ out* and ditnh in rianuarv, IxXi uu hi;-, way tt^ laur<>|M‘ in pur, nut
<d' hraltlu launmtial In all utu» had known him and havinu by bin
hoiinral»l«a ju t ami di tinyui {h‘< 1 th<»' umjbtru i\(» rai^MT iiupn^S: rd
thr paiiilii* mind witli a vmn yoiun'al bolirf that hi., rlianrr,. bjr tho
Pro idma’y would \vA\r !m*cu, but ftu’ !ii rarly doatlu Inator than
tho. f (♦!' an\ of In ronauftorarif .
in I'i' pro! til iIh* rxirruio poUrr o\i*r fhr ubjoft of Intfmal iin
proVinuoMt, lha! id sou. ( rurt ion (hi yn*at ollort in it ; fuaialf
rosidn*t! in it I'omploto o\i‘rthrow. Inrn in rr pi^n to thi* powiu' of
appropriat ion, t hi* mo\ taiH-nl notwith lamlina Mia Povmds “ at fi'tnpl
lo .swt‘ll tlif majority bt*\iiml it'< hmitimatr limit , ooukl . *’a!’o»*lv
In* oilun'wi r ri'Uank’ii than a., a ilrh*a( nr m any thr nm;.| fa\ourablr.
\ ir' w , a a barrtat I ritimph.
Mr. Mofiroiu uf lljr :-.amr m-.-dou, rr uHirmrd, iti hi:, annual .\lr :
siiifi*, !dn. mihi-rniri* fo thr \*iruinia ikHdrinr-. upon thr <|!U‘.!!iui nf
thr powrr of ( 'oiit'rr . ti? riiirirurt. roatf. and (anuds, ami informrd
fiiat hod}"' in advanrr, vrry murh to thr atmoyam*r id’ Mr. Plana
\’dm s po iiioii af thr mom*ait wa i (Uu* td' <pia u iippir u !on to llr*
Admnn fi'afam, tha:! if tlu’y" pi’rs-.rd U law for surli a. pnrpo .r la*
Would hr ooJi lialf-ird tri iifijrrl tii if'. pU' ■ api*. P*ut fr* did not ,i \
or lutiimiU-, iirilhrr wa. ihrir any rra.nm to a] .v|U'r!irud, iior i,. a
prohaldt* thal hi* h.-ol rltaitrr»*d hi, \ i»*w . in rr pfU to an\‘ othor por
tioii, of iho r dof'inm*-. A maioriU- of onK {iffron if* a rmt-r o.a
AiViUjJKlUAXN J:iioxvjxvn.^i\.u ,
This view is fully sustained by the action of Congress £
period ndien these proceedings took place. During these foi
the establishment of a plan for internal improvements un
authority of the General Government was not advanced a s
was the power of appropriation, asserted by the only re
that was pressed, exerted on a single important occasion,
who, whilst friendly to such improvements were too solicil
the preservation of the Constitution in its purity to authori
construction without constitutional authority, had reason t
from the course of events, that their objects would be aecon
by individual enterprise acting under the authority of and j
far as practicable by the State Governments. But oocurren
inc the winter of 1822 were well calculated to put and in th
did put a very different face upon the matter. The pati
Congress having been exhausted by tlie perpetual drain u
Treasury for the repairs of the Cumberland Road, the H
Representatives passed a Bill authorizing® the erection c
upon it and the exaction of tolls from those who used it — ^th
to be applied to keeping the Road in good condition. It pa
Senate and was sent to the President for his approval.
Mr. Monroe, conamitted unqualifiedly by the declaration!
first annual Message expressive of his views, which we have
dence that he even desired to change, objected to the Bill u
principles he had avowed in that document, and it was i
He accompanied his ■uc^o-Message with, or rather sent to C
a day or two afterwards a voluminous essay ^ upon the consti
question, setting forth tlie arguments on which the opinion 1
upon was founded and which he had, he said, from time ^
as they occurred to him, reduced to writing. At the conch
this exposition he avowed his conversion to the doctrine that C
possessed, under the Constitution, an unlimited power to
priate money in aid of the construction of roads and cana
constructed by others. The Virginia doctrine as expoun
Madison’s Report upon the Alien and Sedition Laws, and
forth constituting a portion of the political creed of the rej
party, was that Congress not only had no right to constri
works but that the Constitution did not authorize that body <
money to any such purpose, — ^that the power of Congress
propriate the national revenue was limited to objects wind
authorized to undertake and that the principle which der
power to construct such worb.s necessarily denied the riffht
ATJTOBIOGHAPHY OF MAKTIF VAFT BUEEISr. 303
doctrine will find it in Mr. Philip P. Barbour’s speech in the great
discussion of 1818.
Mr. Monroe admitted that such was the doctrine of 1798, and
that it was founded on views of the Constitution which he had
before sustained, but said that he had changed his opinion upon
the point, and went into an elaborate argument to shew the sound-
ness of his present theory. The time had been when such a declara-
tion coming from Mr. Monroe would have been received with amaze-
ment by his old political associates who yet adhered to the faith
Avliich had long received their common support. But antecedent and
cotemporaneous passages in his official career had gradually paved
the way for such an occurrence and consequently lessened their sur-
prise when it was developed. This took place towards the middle
of his second term, after he had received all the electoral votes, save
one, of his old political opponents and when he was doing openly all
that a man of his habitual prudence and circmnspection could be
expected to do to " J)romote the amalgamation of parties and the
overthrow of that exclusive and towering supremacy which the
republican party had for many years maintained in our national
councils. A diminished zeal for the support of its pure and self-
denying principles was the natural consequence of a diminished,
might I not say an extinguished solicitude for its continued as-
cendency. It was almost inevitable that efforts to destroy the
republican organization should lead to the gradual abandonment
of the principles it sustained. Other causes contributed to give
that direction to his feelings. At the head of his Cabinet stood Mr.
John Quincy Adams, the latitudinarianism of whose Constitutional
views extended beyond those of any of his cotemporaries, and su-
perior to him in influence tho’ inferior in grade was the recognised
favorite of its Chief, Mr. Calhoun, who had taken the lead in sup-
port of the principle that Congress had power to make roads and
canals as well as to pay for them, who had established the right
of paternity towards such measures and would assert it wherever
they were successful. J7either Mr. Wirt, nor Mr. Southard ^ had ever
shewed themselves fastidious in regard to the powers of the Federal
Government or prone to dissent from the views of the associates
to whom I have referred, and the only Cabinet officer, Mr. Craw-
304
AMERICAl^ HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION.
Blit whatever may have been the origin of this change in
roe’s constitutional views there was no room for question in
its extent. The principles of the party in which he had b(
had been commended to his preference not only by the circ
of his location and the character of his early associates, 1
own habits of circumspection. Honest and considerate in h
he was never the slave of momentary impulses but arrived i
elusions by proverbially slow degrees after long and carefu'
tion. Mr. Webster exemplified his dispositions in this res{
amusing anecdote. It was, he said, the President’s habii
on a slate the names of the candidates for prominent places,
the lists were completed, to rub out one name every day '
one remained, when the slate, of course, was sent to the pr
to have the commission made out.
Festina lente having thus been the rule of his life, he \
the occasion of which we are now writing, to have pass
twinkling of an eye from one extreme to another. The d(
forth in the manifesto that accompanied his veto-Messa.
Cumberland Road Bill, in regard to the power of Congress
priate the national revenue, embraced all that Alexander
had ever contended for. In his famous Report upon Mai
the latter in substance thus defines the power of the Federa
ment to raise money :
These three qualifications excepted, (viz : that all duties, imposts
shall be uniform throughout the United States, that no direct tax s
unless in proportion to the federal numbers of the different States i
tax or duty shall be laid on exports) the power to raise money is x
indefinite, * * * and there seems to be no room for a doubt tin
concerns the general interests of learning, of agriculture, of manuf
of commerce comes within the sphere of the national councils as far
an application of money.
Mr. Monroe explained Ms new position substantially as :
It is contended on the one side that as this is a Government of lim
it has no right to expend money except in the performance of acts
by the other specific grants according to a strict construction of th
* * * To this construction I was inclined in the more early s
Government; but on further refiection and observation my mind
gone a change for reasons I will frankly unfold.
AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF MARTIH VAH BUREN.
He proceeds with an endeavour to prove, by a course of reas
ing which he would once have himself pronounced more sped
than solid, that the framers of the Constitution, as well as those
whom it was adopted, designed that both powers should be unqu
fied. Few persons will contend that, in respect to the power
raise and expend revenue, Hamilton went one iota farther tl
Monroe. The language of the former was more graceful and ca]
vating but the latter took especial care that it was not more gene
or far reaching.
■Who, in former days, could have contemplated the possibility t
a Virginia President, one of the first members of the old republii
party and elected as such, would ever be brought to establish, so
as an act of the Executive branch of the Federal Government
capable of establishing it, one of the most ultra and, in pract
likely to be one of the most dangerous principles ever advocated
Alexander Hamilton, and that the individual thus acting would
James Monroe between whom and Hamilton ° political differen
had ripened into personal hostility extending to the brink of j
sonal combat? Plow strong must have been the influence wb
could work such a change ! The laxness of the times, in respect
political consistency, in a great degree brought about by the age:
of Mr. Monroe himself, doubtless had much to do with it, but I h
always thought that political rivalry was not without its influe
in producing a result so remarkable and so much to be deprecatec
® MS. Ill, p. 140.
127483°— VOL 2—20 20
CHAPTER XXIV.
When the Message and the accompanying papers were se
gress little had been said of Gen. Jackson in connection
question of succession to Mr. Monroe and, especially in
part of the canvass, Mr. Adams’ claims were but lightly
In 1817-18 Clay and Calhoun were most prominent amon^
apparent. Altho’ exercising his usual prudence in the m
Monroe was notwithstanding well understood to prefer Mr
The general conviction doubtless influenced to some extent !
course towards the Administration. He first threw cold
the efforts to bring about an amalgamation of parties, and
with considerable severity, in one of his speeches, the attc
ceived by the President, on a Northern tour, from the old f
The Administration in turn for some time gave an equally
ble reception to Mr, Clay’s endeavours to bring about th
tion of South American Independence; but when, by tin
of events, and the indications of public sentiment, efforts
that measure had become unsafe, it exerted itself to take t
out of Mr. Clay’s hands by means of a virtual recommend}
by the President himself. I well remember Mr. Calhoun’
remark when the Message on this subject and this effect (
alluded to : Yes ! the fruit has now become ripe iind may
plucked ! ” It was in this way that Mr. Clay was, as he
deprived of the credit he hoped to have acquired by his chai
of South American Independence. His was not a tempera:
to brook hostility open or covert. His deep dissatisf^vctioii
President’s course in announcing in advance in his Annua
in December 1817, that he could not approve of a 1 >il] autho
construction of roads or canals, has been noticed. He spol
his great effort on that occasion as a step which if tak<
Crown would have been regarded in Enghind its a InvAi
AirTOlVKHiRAIMIY OV ■MARTIN VAN IVURKN.
lively irn‘ 0 'ula‘‘ slop of the rresitleni. The iiitrodiietioii '
Clay's Mr. 'Frimhh^J of the I>ill aut horiziiii^* ilu‘ c\si
ruenf of lolI~i>*al(‘s on ihe (hmiherland IJotul may have ori;
solidy, or rhitdly in llu‘ impalicmei^ of (^)Ill>;r(‘ss at (he e:
of tliai ih)ad and in n natural desire to relieve tiu' Treasur
furllKM* appi’opritdions of money to kia'p it in rt'pair; hut
{’(‘ss that I did not see the mo\’ement- in that liii'ht. To (*omi:
Moiiro(R with tlu^ saiudion of his (’al)inei, lud. less than t
whos(‘ nuunhiu's wtuv eont(‘stants in expe(‘laney for the Preside
apply du' tlu‘ <>‘eneral priiuujde to which he had vohmte.c
a\<)wal at. tlu' prcuTdinit s(*ssio!\, of his continued a.dhereuKT
p(‘t puldic woi'k <d‘ lh(' Wh'si, or, by omi(tin<»‘ to do so, to a.(
unsoundiu‘ss, was a teunpiaiion too si i*on^* for a. man lik(‘. iM
to resist. II(‘ had Ikhui hallleal l)y tlu' Administ rai ioji in a,ii
in which 1 !un'(‘ no doubt that his hadin^s wei’c, tairnestly e
and upon his suc(‘t‘ss in which ht' had ma.(U‘ lai‘<j,*(* (‘alcuhitie
his redoi’t. could lianlly 1 h' r(^<»:arded a,s a, re(‘kl(‘ss one.
\)y t!u‘ pro\isions of th(‘ Bill, which was carrieal throui>i
the haul of Ml’. Trimhh*, Mi’- Clay ha\‘in<»* retii’iMl foi' oik‘ (d<
hut I netal not add, havini;; his (‘V(‘ on Washinii;ton, -the A
t rat ion was drivtui to th(‘ a Iteumat i V(‘ I hav(‘ (h‘scril)(*d. I :i
lideut that Mr. Monroe* and tiu* principal nuunlKU's of his (dal
und(‘i’slo(Hl the move*men{. In r{*sistino- i(, Meassrs. Adams, (V
and t’alhoiin aeteel as a unit, for altlud iji r(\i»'ari| to their [
a: pii’ations (*ach cn^imauaMl foi’ himsedf (law weu’e e([uaily op|
Mr. Clay's prtdeursions. Nor was thma* them mu<‘h ditleiamce
eharai'teu' (d* tlu'ir ptu’sonal redations \vith him, th(‘se not. h
eitluu' <’as(* ve*ry exordial: peu’hap.s tlu*. least, so l)et.Wi*en Mr.
and himsedf in eainseMjmuua* of th(*ir tium reeamt- and an^iA
: pondence in re^caial to ta’cinamces at (ih(*nt. The*, move'ua
ni(‘t, as was. to have* h(*e*n <‘XpeM’teal from mem e)f tlu‘ir eaili
an a<-l <d’ a st roiii:’ stamp, the* e*xt(‘nt ami he‘arin<>’ of whiedi M
ean hardly have* fore‘s(Hm. 'rhe* veto was prom|)tly interposi
M) fai' the* Administ rat ion was su(’e‘essfnl, hut hy the* ace’onij
Pre*side*nt ial matiife^sto, Mr. Me^ni'oe*, chan<icini>’ tiu* opinloiis
whole* pre‘vious life*, e*xpost‘d the* national tre‘asury to approp
I t i \ ' i i
e /tiu I*/ ii* e n
i it I vU t
rv I V
/ II *.» L'
•in
•I 1 w
308
AMEBiCAIir HISTOBICAL ASSOCIATIOI^.
course. It overlooked the circumstance in the eagernesi
struggle, that there was yet a large segment of the old re
party sufficient to form the nucleus for a subsequent success
which had not been carried away by the ^^era of good
which tho’ perhaps not much surprised, was sorely griev(
act of such flagrant backsliding on the part of the Pre^
their choice and who saw in it the fulfilment of the foi
which had been excited by his previous dalliance with th(
tion. By the utter loss of the confidence of this class Mr
and those for whose advancement he was desirous, doub^
cerely and honestly, sustained a far greater injury than j
porary advantage over Mr. Clay could make good.
The veto was interposed near the close of the session anc'
further was done upon the general subject but the struggL
sumed at the earliest practicable moment.
Mr. Hemphill ^ as Chairman of the Committee on Koads ai
had, at the same session, reported a Bill to procure plans am
preparatory to the establishment of a general system, bi
not acted upon. At the beginning of the next he had i
committed to the Committee of the Whole. It was co
and a motion by Mr. Barbour to strike out the first section
stitutional grounds, failed under the influence of the ^
the Bill would have passed but for a new move upon the
chess board that prevented it. The legislation of Cong
obviously upon the point of receiving the direction w]
designed to be given to it by Mr. Monroe’s veto and the ac(
ing expositions of his new opinions. The policy of the .
tration, that of abandoning the power of construction am
linijig the agency of the Federal GtovernmcDt to appropri
money in aid of Works constructed by the States, or l)y in
under their anthority, — was on the point of triumphing
policy of Mr. Cla}^ which went far beyond it, when the
tabled on the motion of Mr. Hardin,- of Kentucky, a frier
Clay, and a motion to take it np afterwards refused by tl
vote of 111 to 42, on wdiich division seven of tlie nine 1
members, all ardent advocates for Internal ininrovement
AXJl'OBIOGEAPHY OF MABTIN VAN BUEEN.
closing movement on the subject at the last session seeniec
to check, and reiterated his opinion in favor of the powe
gress, recommending an appropriation for the einployme
requisite number of Engineers to make the necessary pr
examinations for Canals connecting the Ohio -with the C'
and also for connecting the waters of the Ohio with Lake 1
Hemphill reported his Bill and it was elaborately discus
Clay, who had been re-elected and again chosen Speaker,
himself at the very threshold of the debate, denied in toft
trines of the ^^2^<9-Message, insisted that if Congress ha<
right to cause those works to be constructed, it had no rig
for them or to appropriate money in aid of their cor
claimed that the Constitutional question upon that point a
this Bill and would be decided by it, &c. &c. Mr. Hemj
' Chairman of the Committee on Eoads and Canals, concur]
views expressed by Mr. Clay and advocated the passage o
on the same grounds. The discussions were still more elabx
those of 1818, and drew out the power of the House. That
inflexible sentinel on the ramparts of the Constitution,
Barbour, moved again to strike out the first section of th
the ground of a want of power in Congress to constn
consequent want of power to appropriate money for sun
motion, failed by a vote of 109 to 74, and the Bill was final
Nothing more was done upon tlie subject at that session, ^
matter stood at the time of the Presidential election of 182
Making all reasonable allowance for the possibility tin
mitted ardour of my political life may continue to influence
ment more than I imagine it does, I feel confident tha
balanced mind can review the facts and circumstances tc
have referred, — established as they are by the recorded tes
the actors themselves — without admitting the justness of
elusion that the important principle contended for by the
of internal improvements by the Federal Government wa
its professed supporters as a political shuttle-cock which tl
backward or forward according to the feelings and exigenc
moment. Advancing, receding or standing still, the ac
parties plainly appear now, when passion has subsided ;
310
AMEEICAK HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION.
be going too far to say that the exceptions are only when
course would so palpably disclose the real motive to the gene;
lie as to defeat its purpose or when the direction of affairs
the hand of a man who takes xiarticular pride in the ado]
measures commonly considered unpopular when he can sat
own mind that he is promoting the public interest.
The People having failed to elect a President, Mr. Ada
raised to the head of the Government by the House of Eep
fives, and Mr. Clay was placed at the head of his Cabinet
both held that Congress had power to cause to be construe
paid for out of tlie national revenue all such internal impro
as would, in its judgment, be conducive to the common defe
general welfare and we have never had reason to believe tl:
a single dissentient from that opinion in the new Cabinet,
was therefore no constitutional restraint upon the action
gress in this matter other than that which might be expect
members of the old republican party who yet adhered to t
ciples of their predecessors, but who constituted minoritie>s
branches of the national Legislature. The results of this
tilings may well be imagined, especially by all who have
port-unities to observe the facility with which members of (
come to regard everything that can be carried lioine from i
lie treasury as lawful spoil and the zeal with which they
to secure the expenditure in their own districts of whate
be extracted from it. The execution of Hempliill’s act, a
ing the President to cause surveys and plans for public v
be made, exhibited a striking view of the character and t
of this disposition on the ]iart of the representatives and th
siituents. So difficult was it for the War Deiiartment tc
itself for the purpose of discrimination of the real characte
taut claims to notice and so pressing the solieita lions th:
corner of the Country was fast being surveyed preparator;
provements of some kind, for the most ])art of a purely lo(
acter, and so flagrant did these abuses become that the wises
of the system insisted, in its defence, that the law should 1
tered as to make a specific act of Congress necessary in es
The condition of things at the period of Gen. Jackson’s ele'
AITTOBIOCUIAPHY OF MARTIN VAN BUREN.
of l.ho first ( -on^AToss that I had the honor to inoet in my prc^soiit situati
when tin.' IVill authorizinji; a. suhsoriptiou on the part of the United St
st.o(‘k in (he Maysville and Lexin.aton turnpike eoinpany passed the two
iluav had been n^ported by tlu^ Ckmimiltees on Internal Iniproveinenl
(‘ontainini;’ appropriations for sneh ohJe(*(s, inelusivt^ ot those for the t
land Uoa<l, and for liarbours and lip;ht honst's, to the amount of ah
hiindn'il (im! .si.r inlirKyn-.s of dollars. In tliis amount was ineluded aiith
(he S(‘(*!*i‘(ary of the Treasury to subscaMbe for the stock of different co:
to a .ei‘(‘at (exleiit and (he residue was piineipally for the direct constru
Roads by this (iiov(‘rnment. In addition to these ])roject:s which hi
l>resi‘ntiMl to tlu^ two Ilousi^s luuler the sanction and recommendation
rcspiM’tivi^ Uomnutte(ss on Internal Improvements, (here were then still
b('for(‘ the (lommittees, and in memorials jiresented, but not referred, (
proJ<'<*ts for works of a similar <thara(d,('r, the exjiense of \vhich ca
('stimat.cHl with certainty but may have ex(teeded one hundred mil
dollars.'
Ainono; i\\o I'ills reiVnasl to was one to authorize the const
of a. road froiu r>n(ral() (o New Orleans wliich failed by awmajf
oidy lirietMi, and was reconsid(‘red by a luajorily of ei^ht le:
iwe weeks ladbrt* ilu‘ interposition of (lu‘. vedo; besides :nii
other i‘asi\s of eorres[>ondin^ niaitR’d hde.
‘Sixth aiintml incssag*', ix^c. 2, LS:M.
CHAPTEE XXV.
The points in our domestic concerns which a
the largest share of President Jackson’s pers
the Bank and the removal of the Indians. T
acter of the latter has been already describe
former wiE be exhibited in its turn. Havin;
made the subject of Internal Improvements b;
ernment my study, apprehensions of the evil
as the Constitution stood, might entail upon t
come grave, and sincerely believing that the ad
had set in that direction might and could on
the General’s extraordinary popularity I eai
pressed the matter upon his consideration. H(
- gestions not only with alacrity but with that li^
he received every proposition which he thou
conducive to the public good. I propose to giv
of the steps that proceeded from our conver:
first briefly notice some of the General’s chara(
which their advancement was essentially prom<
far from my intention to attempt a complete
vidual character. I am conscious that such
to say generally, manifest the® ambition of
his skill in depicting a perfectly good or an ^
acter instead of a desire to portray his subje<
and that the picture, when ' finished is thus
imag-ination rather than a reliable representat
hope to make the world better acquainted wit]
of Andrew Jackson than it was before, but '
chiefly by correct reports of what he said and di(
Although firm to the last degree in the execut
when once formed, I never knew a man more 1
one to whom it was to a greater extent a pl(
recognized duty, to listen patiently to what mighi
any subject under consideration until the time fo
the aid of those associated with him in the [)ul)lic service in the
preparation of the pul>lie documents that were issued umler his name,
wholly iiKlilferent in reii>’ard to the extent to which tlieir particii)ati()n
was known, solicitous only that they should l)e, understood by those
to whom they were addressed as a true record of his opinions, Idis
resolutions and liis acfs. That point secured he cared little either as
to the form of words in which they wmv (‘Xpressed, or tis to the
agency through which the particular exi)osition was (‘oncocted.
Neither, 1 need scaively say, was he in th{‘ habit, of talking, much
less of boasting of his own ac*hi( 0 'em(*nts. Content wit In the part ho
hud actiially taken in the conduct and solution of any important
|)ubru‘ qiiestioii and iievcu* having ri^.ason to complain of the opinions
foraned and ex})r(‘ss(s! of his a(‘ts by a large. majo!*it \' of his (\)unl ry-
men he had lU'ither a ch'sirt' nor u motivi* to parade his own or to
shiiU‘. in l)orrowed plumes. { ha\ t‘ alrtauly s{M)k(‘n of < hm. daeksoifs
(au’ly pivf(U*t‘nc(‘ for t!u‘ sidf dcuyiiig tlu‘<u*y and si i-ict -c<mstru(*tion
(lo(‘trim‘S of tlu^ old n^publicaii i.chool a'od havt‘ also, I believe,
ut)tieed the cireumstama* tiuil when quiit‘ a youe.g man and a yomigei*
politician be chosi* ratluu* to t‘\pos(‘ him. elf the odium of rtaan’ding
Ills nanu‘ against a \()ti‘ of confahnua^ in ami thank; to t hm. \\ a.-h
ington than to snll’m* liinr elf to In* canghi in tiu' lra{> . et for him
and his ri'publican associatias hy Aims; ami ia>!npauy.' 'Flu*
diasign of that artili(a‘ was so (o (ammad an appro\a! of tlu^ unaismas
whicli tlu' fe(h‘r-alists in (k)ngr(a:s had sustniiUHl and which (lu‘ n^pub
licuus bad oppinnal with an (‘xpiaassion of the fa\(>ral>h‘ scntiimmt.s
universally (‘ntiniaimal (owaials (hm, Washiuglon and his motives
in all things, as to pul it. out of the power of tlu‘ lattiu* (<» stand by
their avowed opinions without refusing to concur in that texpiaassion.
llie.y snapped the eoials with wiru‘h it was thus attemided to IVtttn*
llunn and (Jem Jacksoids vob‘. on that oi’casion was in‘ged against him
wlam he beeauie a eandidai<‘, for the Ih’csidency, some thirty years
a H er.
Ibit. the principh* of iubnmal improvcnmmis hy (Iu‘ lAaleral (Jov-
(uamumt, so far from lading acical upon wlumi he was (irsi in Con-
gress, was, as has lieeii semi, disavowcsl by tli<‘, griait. h‘adtn* of the.
administration, and a largt‘ shan‘. of (Jim, JaeksonV; t.ilm^ was spimt
in the eamj> wliilst the Kulqecj was (hfaiiiMl by tlu^, rising num of the.
day from iHlb id when lu' n^-ajjptnired on th(‘ floor of (km-
grcss. dfiert^ wa.-. besidi‘s a piandiarity in his posirum at* tlu^ latter
}H‘riod which, tlnd it. <-ould not as nothing could h*ad lum, to <lo
wrong winm it becJiivu^ nc(*i‘ssaiy to acd , was nio (*rt h<‘h‘ss W(‘1I (‘alcu-
1 j ! . I . .. !. * I' d. . ..j i 1..... I i.t .(I.,.. .
peculiarity the weight to which it was entitled the reader
ill mind the influence exerted by Pennsylvania in brini
Jackson forward for the Presidency, an influence which ^
think be over-estimated when it is regarded as having cont
I'esult ; and this consideration deserves to be constantly re
whilst canvassing the merits of his subsequent course up(
very important points.
Pennsylvania is in every sense of the word a great
Vvmrthy of high respect — ^great in her material resources an
the constant industry, the morality and general intelligei
People. When to the credit she derives from these source.f
that which has naturally accrued from the moderate a
character of her general course it will be seen how wel
deserved the honor shewn her by her sister States in the
which they have distinguished her of “ the key stone of tt
the Union.’’
It is nevertheless tnie that she has for a long time pi
favorable field for the agitation of political questions ^
dress themselves to special interests in the communities uj:
they are pressed. Internal Improvements by the Federa'
ment, a high protective tariff and a Bank of the United S
for many years before Gen. Jackson’s accession to tlie P:
been regarded as favorite measures with the good people
sylvania. In respect to the first, which is now the subje
consideration, both of the great Eeports of the Committees
and Canals, at the period when it embraced a large sha
attention of Congress, were from Pennsylvanians, — Mr. Wi
Mr. Hemphill. Yet these measures and the question of th(
of the Indians, which had so strongly excited tlieir misdire
pathies, were destined to be the principal domestic subjects
Gen. Jackson’s Administration, if he succeeded in the elec
to be employed. With the two last, (tlie Bank and the I
had made himself familiar and as to them his course was fi
foreseeing the necessity he would be under upon those
run counter to the wishes of his Pennsylvanian friends at
threshhold of his administration, it was natural that a m
generous temper, and of whose character fidelity to frienc
the crowning grace, should have been desirous to avoid an
to the issues between himself and his^io less generous sup
far as that could be avoided without dereliction of duty.
It was under such circumstances, and
never having
j- .
I* r'i
-CX LJ i ^ « Ii.V I II * Ml'
fj X
18 l\‘>-:[" tMul T), in finor of (lie. iu‘is '"io provide for the necessary snr-
V(\ys for roads aiul (‘an:ds'\ and “ anl horizino* ^ subscript ion to tlu‘
stock of tlu‘ Chesapeake' and Deltiwai'i' Canal (o>inpany '■ and a, few
other propositions of siinilai* import, whiefi Notes were vehemently
nrii'e'vh bv his opponi'uts, ai^ainst his snbsi'eniciit course.
iMy (U'hut in, Conoavss had not. been free from a. like discrepaiuw.
'The bill pi'ovidinii; foi' the en'ctionof t.oll-,u‘at('s on Ihe Cnmbc'.rland
Koad came bi'foiv us a few months aftc'i* 1 hael take‘n my se'at. in thi‘
Si'nate of tlu' Unile'd State's and 1 i»’av(‘ a silent volt* in fa\’or of it.
Mr. iMe>nroe’'s ve'te), which would have* sht'el e*iulurin<>’ honor on his
mune, if lu' ha.el sulfe'ix'el it. to slaml alone', brou^iit- iiit' t(» instant anti
tho!’eu5ii:h t'Xaniinat ion and I’cllt'i'tion. It. elid ne)t. take* mi* lon<>’ to
satisfy myst'lf liiat ! had acte'd undt'r a ^i-aNi* mistake* and 1 e‘m
brae*e*d an e'ai'ly e^ >()ort unity to ackmnv li‘do-(. my error on tin* lloor of
the* Senate*. (k)n\ine(‘d al;<» <d’ (he* iiu'Xpi'd ie'iiey as \ve*ll as uncon
st it ut.iona 1 ity <d' t hi* conet met ion of works of init'iaial improNonu'iit
1! ndt*r t he* < 1 i iH'ct. or indirect anthoi*ity of the* h'lMlrral ( ion e|•nlncn( , .*-.o
lone* as lilt* ( 'on; t it lit ion rcniaint*d a;, it \N a;. 1 became earn(*::tly
solicitous not only to arrt*:'f (lu* cour.-t* t»f lenii lalion <m the ubjeet,
'vhich \va > I hen malwins!; fe'arfid pro^'ct*: .:, but to dt*\ i;s* . ome N\ay by
nhich it fouhl be pl:iet‘<l on a be'lter and a ;.ait‘r footinys My name
will be found n't'oi’deil ap'ainM all the liill., whieh (lu* (h'ueral voted
for and I bt'lie'Ne* ayaiii; t c\i‘ry similar propo./ifitui .*ad»s(*({Ue*nt to tlu*
act. to (*re(‘t (oil y:a(e . mi tin* ('iimberlami Ivoad. I havt* now care*
fully e\amim*d tlu* Journals ed’ Cony!:J’e;.s and re‘\ ie‘\ve*d my ollicial
ae'ts to the* close* of my publie* life, and cam I think, safely cltalh*ny't*
a compai’isem with tlu^ straite'st. of the st rit'i ('oust I'uct ion svvl in
re'c^ard to" a faithful adheremH* to the priiu'iph's of that schooh with
tlu* sin«yle e*.\ce'p( iem of which I have* spokt'U. \Vh(*n I n*(‘all t lu*
names of the* many y'ood atul pure*. nie*n who made* thc'msi'lvcs lion-
(U’ablv c<>nspie‘uous in (he* suiiport of (hose* principle's, [lartJeadarly
aiiumy: the Stati* ine‘n of \'ii’<i*inia and North ('arolina, I am st*n.sibh^
<d’ the bohhu'ss of this proller, hut. e*v(*n tlu‘n elo not. shrink fi’om it.
Not (‘outent with :tt*aelily votiiiy; ai!;ainsl all unaut hoi‘ize‘d measure's
of tlu* e*hara.<*ter re‘r(*rreel t<», and h'arinc^ from what was elaily pass-
ing” ht'fon* my (‘Ves, that it wouhl not. he* lony; in tlu* poNve*r of tho.a'
who Nve*r«* faith'ful to the* prin<*iph*s of the* ( 'onstil ut ion (o arre'sl or
e*ve*n to elu'ek tlu* teiri’e'iit of re*ekle‘ss h'c-islat ion which hail se*t. in so
powerfully, ! propo.^t'd an amt'iuhnent. of 1 he* ( ’oust it ut ion, tin* ohjt'el.
of which wa:Mo make* that lawful \vhi<-h was (ht*n illie'it and (<i pro-
I ... A < 1 . . . • . I ■ I . ! i . . i t . I i . 1 •< ., f < ■ < I'.t I t l e <1 n t I w'f ki. ' I k t ' t W I I < kwi k I I W k I k1 I v:t O I I I I I 1 I I M I
316
AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION.
Mr. Yan Buren rose, in pursuance of notice given on Wednesda
ask leave to introduce a joint resolution, proposing an amendment to t
tutiou of the United States, on the subject of the power of Gongresi
roads and canals. He said he was as much opposed as any man tc
alterations of the form of government under which we live, but he w(
no apology for bringing this matter before the Senate, in so imposii
as that of an amendment to the Constitution. He would now do so, t
was entirely convinced that no one could dispassionately consider tl
state of the question, to which his resolution relates, without feeliu
perious necessity of some Constitutional provision on the subject,
not his intention, at this time, to enter into the discussion of the n:
would only submit one or two general remarks in relation to it. 0
portance of the question, it was not necessary to speak. Suffice it to
in its scope, it embraces the funds of the nation to an unlimited
in its result must affect, as far as the agency of the Federal Govern
concerned, the future internal improvement of a great and flourishin.i
Is the power to make roads and canals, within the States, now vest
Federal Government? Individuals, said Mr. V. B., may give thei
sioiis, v^ith their reasons for the various ingenious constructions
upon the different parts of the Constitution, to make out that this pow*
but all candid men will admit that there are few questions more ‘
Whilst, in some States, the power is universally conceded, and its
loudly required, in others, its existence is as generally deniiKl, an
ereise as ardently resisted. Is there cause to believe that, as the Cm
now stands, a construction vdll obtain, which will be so far aeqii
as to be regarded and enforced as one of the established powers of th(
thwernment? He thought there was not. For about twenty years,
ject had been one of constant and earnest discussion. Emu'ts have a
times been made in Congi*ess to exercise the power in question, t:
met sometimes with more, and sometimes with less, favor. Bills, o
tlie assertion, and directing the exercise of this power, have passed
Houses, and been returned, with objections, by two successive Ih-esid
failed for want of the Constitutional majority. The last Congress
Executive were arrayed against each other, upon the question, and i
a recent vote of the other House may be regarded as evidence of tin
opinion of Congress, there is every reason to believe that such is n()^v
The Government has now been in operation rising of thirty years
though the subject has always been a matter of interest, no law cle
bracing the power has ever yet been passed. There is, therefore, I
reason to hope that, without some Constitutional provision, the qiies
e\ei be settled. If the General Government has not now the power, S
said that he for one thought that, under suitable restrictions, they
have it As to what those restrictions ought to be, there might, and
would, be diversity of opinion. But, as to the abstract proposition
much of the funds of the nation as could be raised, without onm-(‘ss
AUTOBIOGKAPHY OP MARTIN VAN BUREN.
317
exercise of o doubtful right by the Fedei'al Governiuent against the ixuvsevering
opposition of the several Slates, they would decid(' wlietlier, iiistiaid of con-
testing this matter as it has been done for so many years, it would not be more
for the interest of the nation, as wcdl as the credit of tln^ (lovernment, ((► place
the matter on well defined ground. There were many strong reasons why he
thought this course ought to be pursued, and whicli, at the proixu* tim(\ he
would take the liberty to urge. For the present, he would siinihy add that,
independent of the collisions of State interests, which this power is more likely
than any other to produce, the exercise of* it in the ])i‘esent state of thc^ (^ni-
stitution, and with an Executive whose reading of it should be dilT(u*iud; from
that of the present and the two who last i>rec(‘d('(l him, (*ouId not fail to I)(‘
grossly unequal among the States; because it is well known that: tlnu-o w(‘r("
some States who have invarial)ly, and who will, as long as tluy piaher tlu^
inviolability of the Oonstitution to their local interest, continui‘ to opp‘*>^e
exercise of this power with tluun. \\'ithout, theiad'oias th(‘ ability to pr(‘V(‘nt,
they would be (‘XcIikUmI fi'om the Ixauhits of its exc'rcisi^ ('(Mii'se ii(>w pi'o-
])osed had Ix^en earnestly rcH.*ommend(‘d to th(‘ last: Fongi’t'ss )»>’ th(‘ pr(‘scni.
Executive, and, wIumi the subilect <*am(‘ up for discussion, he would tMulcavor
to show that its adoption was called for by lh(‘ lussl inleri^sls of tht‘ mil ion.
lAUive was tluai grantxHl, !!n<l IVlr. Van IhirtMi ol’IVri'd th(‘ folic twin;-’, rosolu-
tion, which was read, and passiMl to a stM'oiid r<*ading:
Rcmlrcd, <tc., That the following auMaidnuait of ih<‘ (Nmstitniion of the
United States b(‘ proposed to tlu^ L(‘gislal iii'cs of the siweral Stabr^;
“ Congr(‘SS shall have' powcu* (.o niak(‘ roails and canals; but all m(»m\v appro
priated for this pui*pos('- shall bc' apportioinMl among the siw’oral Stales a<‘cord
ing to the last (‘uiiimu-ation of (Ikmi* n\si>(»ct iv<‘ numhers, and applied to the
making and. rev)airing of r()a<ls and canals within th(‘ several States, as Uoie
gress may diri'ct ; but any Slate may <*ons(‘nli to th(‘ appropriation by Uon
gross of its quota of sneb appropriation In tli<‘ making or n^paiiing of roads
and canals, without its own limits; no such roa<I or canal shall, Iiowever, lie
made within any State, without the (‘onsent of ilie Legislature^ tlUTeof, and tdl
sucli money shall he so (»xi)ended umhu* tlu^Ir dlrcHdion,” *
In Docember, 182 r), I siilmrittcd to the Senate, as a. substitute for
the previous proposition, the following motion and the remarks that
follow :
‘‘ y»h’.s-o/rcd. That Congress does not possess Wm po\v(‘r to nmk(‘ Uoa<ls and
Canals within the respective States.
Rc,s(>lrc(ly That a st^Ux-t committXMi he appoint, (‘d, with iiistrvKh.ions to pre-
pare and report a Joint; lU'soIution, for an aiiumdnuMit of th(‘ ( tonst it ntiou,
prescribing and defming the power Congress shall Imvu over tlH‘ snbj(‘ct: of
Internal Improvements, and subjecting tlie same to such n'st.ricl ions as shall
effectually [u-otect the sovenagnty of the resiieclivi^ St.al(‘s, aiul s(‘cur(‘ to IIhmii
a lust distribution of tlie benelUs resulting from all appropriations luadi* for
818
AMEEICAIT HISTORICAL ASSOCIA
course originally contemplated, by substituting resob
sense of the Senate on the Constitution, as it now is, ai
ment of a select committee to report upon the siibjed
as the Senate may think proper to give. Such resolu'
the libert5^ of submiLting. He did ]iot, of course, wish
consideration, but would call them up at as early a da;
the state of public business and the ordinary com*!
Senate. He hoped he would be excused for expressing
conceded importance of the subject would induce gentb
tion to it as soon as they conveniently could, to the end
up, it miglit be carried to a speedy decision, and not e
able delays and postponements which had heretofore att(
lar character, and ultimately prevented an expression c
on tlieir merits. He deceived himself, if there was anj
moment, their constituents felt a more intense intere
the rightful and probaUe agency of the General Gover
of Internal Improvement. Whilst, in the States, meas
had been harmonious in their progress, and, as far as
would admit of, successful in their results, the condi
been of a very different character. From the firsf agil
constitutional power of Congress to legislate u]mn
source of unbroken, and, frequently, angry and unple
time, he said, had never yet been, when all the bra:
Department were of the same opinion upon the qu€
united in the sentiment as to the existence of tlie p
everything else in regard to it. Of its particular soi
its extent and attributes, very different views were er
There had not been anything in the experience of the
thing ill the prospect of the future, on which a re
founded, that this grejit subject could ever be satisfy
means short of an aiipeal to the States. The intimati
prosperity of the country and works of the description i
induce efforts to induce the General Government to eo
was but little reason to believe that its chiim of power \
As little reason was there, in his judgment, to expect
would ever be given up. The iirinciples upon which tin
the zeal and fidelity with which it has hitherto been
an expectation. If this view of the subject was a con
to him that it was, he respectfully submitted it as a n:
on the part of Congress, to make a determined effb
settled in the only way which can be final — an aniendr
prescribing and defining what Congress may, and t
with the restrictions under which what is allowed to
appeared to him that not only every interest connects
if Tint Riifptv nf mil’ pnvinhip nnlitipol in
Al’TolUtHniAPH V OK MARTIN VAN BUREN.
'I’he sniiu' (M»ursr h:i«i Ikhmi ri'conuiUMultHl by Mr. iMiulisoii, niid (he r(M*oiiinuM
lion r(‘iH‘;U{Ml h.v Mr. M(Mir(u\
As yiM, no ellorj. lo (his ^reat objeel, had Ixhmi ina(l(‘; ho ]
niilli'd hinist'ir lo hope (hal sm*U (‘(Tort, would now he made. II. was true,
said, lii{‘ sul>J(‘<M ha<l not. be<'n nd’orred (o by J,ho iu*es(Mil. Exeeulivo, aiul
rt'asons wiiy Ii{‘ had lud: done so wtM*o apparoid;, ITom (ho ooiiiniiinical ions
has inad(‘ lo us. Kroiu (host', it; apiH'arod (hat (ho lh*osidoii(; onlta-laiiUMl oj
ions, as lo (he- power oi’ (■oui^rt'ss, wliieh. roniovod all diUlcaillies upon
sui)JtH*(. Ihd Mr. V. B. said Uud, al(hoiii;ii lhal (aivuinslaiK-o niii’hi possi
diminish, it otuialnly did not; obvialo liio noeessily ol’ now aelin.i:: upon
suhjt'ol, as (ho Stamiti wore not (<‘0; to eonJtHduro as (o I ho fact, that (li
exisltnl a discordance of opinion ])etvvt‘on llu' Kxt'culivo and portions, at it'ai'
how lar^jct^ tlnu^ would sh<‘W — <d' Iht': olhta* hranclu's of tlu> LejA’islalivo Dt'i);
mt'ni. I\lr. Ah Ih said that, enterlainina; such vit‘ws upon the suhjt'cl, ho J
IVIt it his duty to hrin?j: (bt' subjt'ct thus early Ixd'oro tiu? Staiatt^ and w
lhi‘ i>roiHM* ptaiod for discussion arrivtal, would avail hinisolf ot tluar hu
,ntau*e l<> assi;.:n his rtaisons for llu' courst' projiosi'd.*
Those, uiovtuneids ('xciltal (he alituition aiul roeoivt'd the ai)!)
hatioii of Mr. rlidl't'rsoii and raistal for ilua monu'ni. tluv droop
Spirits of mauN’’ sinctUH'. Siait'-rio-hls nuui. U soon, ho\\'(At‘r,
caiiH' t‘\'idtMi( (ha( (lu‘rt‘. was no rtaisonahh' hopt' for (lu‘ir siua-i
It. was oln ious (hat (ht' X’iro-inia. and ixtudneky doc(riiit's <d‘ \hi
hatl IxMUi (ot> siiccossriilly deridt'd and conltuniual (o ha
a( lha( nioiiuMd. (lu^ sliidilt'sl o-pound of (‘onlidtuiot' in (he ado[)(
t)!* anv such pro{)osi(ion. ! Iluuad’orth a I t or post ponino- ils oonsidt
(ion from vtair to year in (luj hope oT inort'. favo-raldt' indioalit
susptunhal fiirtluM* (dlorts of (hai naiiirt'. Ihit. it will Ix' scaui (h;
was not- itlhh and that iny faihirt'. was, \u>l my faidt-. I pr(‘pai
aft(‘r much ladlootion and laborious <‘xaininat ion a. for
discussion of the subject., in whitdi 1 ta.ko morn pride tlia.n in \
of mv .sp(*eclu‘s ami whi(‘h, umhu* (In'! sinetu'o tlio’ too prob.ably n
iaktm Indief that I hav(‘ not. formed a partial esiimatt', of if, 1 Jr
dirt'ctt'd to be publishiai with such of my spcHH'h(‘s as tliost'. y
coiiu* aftm* me ma\’ (hxmi worthy of so iniKdi. notace. If tlu' u
sclumu's of that ih\y should (axu* bt‘ iMwivtal tho.st* who take a. part
(hdeatiuh' iluan may perliai)s lind in tlu'se not(‘S useful su<^*o*est.i(:
Tluw will at all evimts ])rove. (lie dtx*]) int, (‘rest that, 1 took, in
matbu' ami what follows will sluwv tha.t. in all probability tlu'V
(‘rt(*d, altho' in w wwY \'(U‘y di IhuH'id from tlie on(‘ originally iidem
820
AMERICAISr HISTORICAL ASSOCIA
remain amongst ns, can form any adequate c
and influence which, those who had embarkec
tunes in attempts to commit the General Gov(
to the promotion and construction of Interna'
acquired both in Congress and among the n
prising portions of the People. The wild spi
'whose career our ever growing and ever mo
our expanded and expanding territory offered
came wilder over the prospect before it and t
men were severely tasked in devising and causii
brought forward under captivating disguises
improvements with which they designed to da
constituents. It required an extraordinary deg
public man to attempt to resist a passion that
ant, but this consideration might stimulate bi
age Gen. Jackson so long as he was convii
presented for his consideration was the pat]
unfeignedly grateful to Pennsylvania for wli
him, he Imew well that upon this question s
removal of the Indians and of the Bank she
the wrong direction, he was extremely loth t(
great points upon which his duty would c(
himself in the way of her gratification, but
all such appeals and motives he promptly
tions of right, and the ever present and ever
official obligation superior to personal feeling
He appreciated to their full extent the argi
the inexpediency of the legislation which he
whilst the Constitution remained unaltered, b
the question on constitutional grounds. No C
called: not another member of the Cabinet •
liis decision had become irrevocable. It wns u
that I should keep an eye upon the moveme
bring to his notice the first Bill upon which ]
terference would be preferable, and that wlien
sented, we would take up the question of Com
examine it deliberately and fully.
nni- -r>*n _
AUTOBIOGEAPHY OF MARTI^^" VAIiT BUEEK.
821
volved upon him rather for political effect than for public ends, and
it was his preference, in accordance with a soimd military axiom to
make his enemy’s territory the theatre of the war whenever that was
practicable.
I brought the subject to the President’s notice during one of our
daily rides, immediately after the passage of the Bill by the House
and proposed to send him on our return the brief of which I have
spoken and of which I had before promised him a perusal. I had
myself no hesitation in respect to the course that ought to be pur-
sued and spoke of it accordingly. He received my suggestions favor-
ably, appeared sensible of the importance of the proposed step and
at parting begged me not to delay sending him the brief — which was
done as soon as I got to my house.
Within five days after the passage of the Bill by the House of
Eepresentatives I received from him the following note.
(Private.)
May 4th, 1830.
My Dear Sir,
I have been engaged to day as long as my head and eyes would permit, poring
over the manuscript you handed me ; as far as I have been able to decipher it
I think it one of the most lucid expositions of the Constitution and historical
accounts of the departure by Congress from its true principles that I have ever
met with.
It furnishes clear views upon the constitutional powers of Congress. The
inability of Congress under the Constitution to apply the funds of the (Jovern-
ment to private, not national purposes I never had a doubt of. The Iveiitucky
road bill involves this very power and I think it right boldly to meet it at the
tlireshold. With this object in view I wish to have an interview with you and
consult upon this subject that the constitutional points may be arranged to bear
upon it with clearness so that the people may fully understand it.
Can I see you this evening or Thursday morning?
Your friend
Andrew Jackson
Mr. Van Buren.
Those who take the trouble to refer to the manuscript will be able
to decide for themselves on the justice of the encomiums bestowed
upon it by the President. I returned the following answer with
which I have been furnished by Mr. Blair, to whom, the General’s
papei's w^ere entrusted by his will.^
322
AMEKICAlSr HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION.
to see whether it is not possible to defeat the aim of our ad\ersari
respect, viz ; whether it be to draw you. into the approval of a Bi
phatically local, and thus endeavor to saddle you with the lal
notions upon which the late administration acted, or to compel yo'
stand against internal improvements generally, and thus draw to t
those who are interested in the ten thousand schemes which evei
course of the Government for a few past years have engendered,
see land, and that it will be in our power to serve the Country and ;
time counteract the machinations of those who mingle their sehii
bitious views in the matter. We shall have time enough ; the Bill
passed the Senate and yon have, you know, ten days after that.
I want to see Mr. McDuffie this evening upon the subject of the
may not, therefore, call. I should prefer too to complete first the a
of my ideas, and then we can take up the subject more satisfactorily
Yours truly
M.
W. May mo.
I requested him some days after to obtain from the Se(
the Treasury the financial statement which accompanied
Message, and received in reply the following sjiirited note.
Private.
Tl/’r/// j
Dear Sir,
Your note is received. I am happy that you have been looking
ceedings of Congress. The appropriations now exceed the availabl
the Treasury, and the estimates always exceed the real amount a
have just called upon the Secretary of the Treasury for the am<
estimated available balance on the 1st January 1831.
The people expected reform retrenchment and economy in the udn
of this Government. This was the cry from Maine to' Louisiana, and
these the great object of Congress, U would seem, is to make mine
most extravagant administrations since the commencement of the G
This must not be; The Federal Constitution must be obeytMl,
preserved, our national debt must he paid, direct ta.ves and loans a
the Federal union preserved. These are the objects I have in view, ji
less of all consequences, will carry into effect.
Yr. friend
Mr. V. B. Sec, of State,
Let me see you this evening or in the morning.
Xot; one out of twenty of the opposition ineni'bcrs belie
President Jackson, notwithstandinp" his nrnverlu’al inrlHL
AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF MARTIN VAN BUREN.
views and unsettled opinions of a sufficient number of those
had been elected as J acksoii men to substitute a Bill for a work n
national in its pretensions, I was extremely solicitous that notl
should be said upon the subject until it should be too late for £
a step, and pressed that point upon the General. It was the <
one, I knew, that required to be pressed and it was, moreover, ■
which I was persuaded would be the most difficult for him.
was entirely unreserved in his public dealings^ — the People,
thought, should Imow every thing and give it to Blair ” (or j
as he pronounced it) — ^was almost always his prompt direction v
ever any information' was brought to him which affected or m
affect the public interest. Apropos of which I was once told
Major Donelson that, in relation to- all affairs in which men ^
alone concerned, the General was inveterately opposed see
excepting only when a duel was in the wind, on which occasion
was a counsellor — most still, most secret and most grave.” Inc
we were often alarmed at the exposed manner in which he kept
letters and other private papers on his table, and ventured to ren
strate with him on the subject, assuring him that for ten
lars could induce a very clever but sinister looking mulatt
the President’s service to carry them to him over night; to w:
suggestion the General replied “ If will come here he s
have the perusal of them for half the money.” An occasion was i
presented on which his habit in this respect involved him in s
embarrassment.
Col. Johnson,^ of Kentucky, was induced by Western memi
who had been alarmed by floating rumors, to sound the Presi*
and if he found that there existed danger of such a result to
monstrate with him, in their names and his own, against a -5
At the moment of his appearance the President and myself ^
engaged in an examination of the expose of the state of the Ti
ury to which I have referred, and alone. After a delay natura
a man possessed as the Colonel was of much real delicacy of :
ing and having an awkward commission in hand, he said tha
had called at the instance of many friends to have some con
sation with the General upon a very delicate subject and Avas
terred from entering upon it by an apprehension that he m
and wanned by his own, he extended his open hand and e
“ General ! If this hand were an anvil on which the sledge
of the smith was descending and a fly were to light uj
time to receive the blow he would not crush it more e:
than you will crush your friends in Kentucky if you
Bill ! ” Gen. Jackson evidently excited by the bold fi<
energetic manner of Col. Johnson, rose from his seat
vanced towards the latter, who also quitted his chair, and
lowing questions and answers succeeded very rapidly : “ I
you looked at the condition of the Treasury — at the ai
money that it contains — at the appropriations already
Congress — at the amount of other unavoidable claims upi
“No! General, I have not! But there has always bee
enough to satisfy appropriations and I do not doubt t
be now!” — ^^^Well, I have, and this is the result,” (repe:
substance of the Treasury exhibit,) “ and you see there is i
to be expended as my friends desire. ISTow, I stand comn
fore the Country to pay off the National Debt, at the earl
ticable moment; this pledge I am determined to redeer
cannot do this if I consent to encrease it without necess
you willing — are my friends willing to lay taxes to pay fo]
improvements? — for be assured I will not borrow a cent
cases of absolute necessity!” — ^^^No!” replied the Colon
would be worse than a '^etof ”
These emphatic declarations delivered with unusual e?
and in that peculiarly impressive manner for which he waj
able when excited quite overcrowed the Colonel who pickc
green bag which he usually carried during the ° session a
fested a disposition to retreat. As he was about to leave I
to him that he had evidently made up his mind that the
had determined to veto the Bill at all events, but that wh
fleeted how much of the President’s earnestness was occa^
his own strong speech and how natural it was for a man 1
excited when he has two sets of friends, in whom he has eq
dence, urging him in different directions, he would be less
in his conclusion. Keminded by this observation that he
fered the guard which he had imposed on himself to be bro'
by the Colonel’s sledge-hammer^ the General told him ths
giving the matter a thorough investigation and that thei
might be assured that he would not make up his mind
loking at every side of it, — ^that he was obliged to him
all Uia -Pr'iiinrla' -fn ■frv o(
AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF MARTIH YAH BUREK.
325
as if reassured and appeared to consider the case not so desperate
as he had at first imagined, but his manner was assumed for the
purpose of quieting my apprehensions which he perceived and under-
stood. When he returned to the House he replied to the eager
enquiries of his Western friends that the General had thanked him
and assured him that he would thoroughly examine the subject, but
his private opinion decidedly was that nothing less than a voice from
Heaven would prevent the old man from vetoing the Bill, and he
doubted whether that would !
Still so strong was the impression derived from Gen. Jackson’s
habit of never concealing his views upon a subject on which his
mind was made up, that the incredulity of the members was but
slightly removed by the Colonel’s report : what he would do in the
matter remained an open question to the last. The consequence was
that the importunities of his friends were increased, but as the
detailed account of Col. Johnson’s embassy discouraged direct re-
monstrances with the President they were addressed to me, and
in my efforts to keep both sides quiet by statements of the difficulties
with which the subject was environed by reason of the conflicting
struggles of the friends of the Administration, I exposed my own
course to some suspicion or affected suspicion in the end. The Gen-
eral told me, on -my return from England, that one of the charges
brought against me by Mr. Calhoun’s friends, to justify the rejec-
tion of my nomination as Minister, wms that I had been opposed
to the veto and had tried to prevent him from interposing it. He
named, in particular, Mr. Carson,^ of North Carolina, a peppery
young man, ardently attached to Mr. Calhoun and, for no other
reason that I knew of, very hostile to me, as one who had circulated
that report, and said that to silence hinj, he one day, took up a
pamphlet-copy of the '2;62^(?-Message and holding it before him asked
him to look at it closely and see whether he could not discover my
^likeness on every page.
The impression among the General’s Western friends, that he
would destroy his popularity by a veto^ was universal and prevailed
also extensively among those from the North. The Pennsylvania
members generally were rampant in their opposition and most of
them voted for the Bill after the veto was interposed. Being with
326
AMERICAlSr HISTORICAL ASSOCIATIOIT.
ing, occasioned, as I well knew, by their convictions of the
effects that must result from the step about to be taken. (
up stairs to his office, he leaning on my arm on account o
treme physical weakness, I observed that our friends were fr
“Yes,” he replied, — ^“but don’t mind that! The thing
(placing his hand on the breast-pocket of his coat)” and
sent up as soon as Congress convenes.”
It was sent up that morning and a scene ensued that baffle
calculations. If there was any sentiment among our oppone]
we knew to be universal^ before the reading of the veto-'M.
was that it would prove the political death warrant of the
tration and we were prepared to hear denunciations againsi
lence and destructive effects of the measure and the recld<
offered to the House by the President in sending it. Bui
clamor arose, and the first and principal objection that v
against the Message, when the reading was finished, and vi
persevered in to the end, was that it was “ an electioneeri
sent to Congress for political effect ! — -and that the
the magicim)'^ was visible in every line of it !
It was indeed received with unbounded satisfaction by
body of the disinterested and genuine friends of the Admii
throughout the Country. At a public dinner given by the
cans of Norfolk to John Eandolph on the occasion of his (
for Russia, the following toast was drunk standing and wi
three times three: — ^“The rejection of the May smile Roa
falls upon the ears like the music of other days.” Son
friendship for the Administration, if not completely alien
certainly been greatly abated, felt obliged to praise it. Co'
of South Carolina, at the. great Charleston dinner given t(
rate nullification, and thro’ its means to put that Adminisi
the severest trial that any had ever been exposed to in our
spoke of the veto as “the most auspicious event which h
place in the history of the Country for years .past.” I ret
one other of those acceptable exhibitions of public feeling w
vaded the Union, tho’ less imposing in form not less g]
Col. Eamsay,^ one of the Representatives from Pennsyb
excitable but honest man and true patriot, irritated almos
AUTOBIOGRAPHY OP MARTHA VAI^ BUREU.
327
the subject until he had seen his constituents and venturing to
prophesy that he would find them pleased with the veto. The
worthy Pennsylvanian received the intimation as an additional in-
jury and parted from us in an exceedingly had humor. A short
time afterwards, as I was one day approaching the President he
held up to me in an exultant maimer, a paper which proved to be
a letter from our good friend Ramsay in which he announced the
confirmation of the General’s prediction and acknowledged that, in
that case at least, the latter had known his constituents better than
he himself had known them.
And yet this measure, was but the entering wedge to the course
of action by which that .powerful combination Imown as the In-
ternal Improvement party was broken asunder and finally an-
nihilated. I have already given an extract from the President’s
Message descriptive of its ramifications and extent at the period of
the veto. The power which a combined influence of that descrip-
tion, addressing itself to the strongest passion of man’s nature and
wielded by a triumvirate of active and able young statesmen as a
means through which to achieve for themselves the glittering prize
of the Presidency, operating in conj miction with minor classes of
politicians, looking in the same general direction and backed by a
little army of cunning contractors, is capable of exerting in com-
munities so excitable as our own, can easily be imagined. The
danger in offending and the difficulty of resisting such an influence
were equally apparent. The utmost iirudence was required in re-
spect to the ground that should be occupied by the President in the
first step that he was to take in the prosecution of the great reform
that he had in view. His own past course increased the necessity
of great circumspection at the start. The votes he had given for
the survey-bill and for the appropriation in aid of the Chesapeake
and Delaware Canal, with his letter to the Governor of Indiana,
written during the canvass and referring to those votes as exponents
of his opinions were fresh in the recollections of the People. His
name was, in very deed, a tower of strength, ° but prudence as well
as sound principle dictated that their partiality should not be put
to an unreasonable test by the ground he now took, on an occasion
of intense interest, in a document which, as we all well knew, would
328
AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION.
2ncl. Altlio’ the true view of the Constitution in regard
power of appropriation was probably that taken in Madisc
port concerning the alien and sedition laws, by which it w
fined to cases where the particular measure which the appro]
was designed to promote was within the enumerated aut
vested in Congress, yet every Administration of the Gove
had, in respect to appropriations of money only adopted in j
(several cases of which were mentioned) a more enlarged c(
tion of the power. This course, it was supposed, had been
and so extensively persisted in as to render it difiicult, if
practicable, to bring the operations of the Government bad
construction first referred to. The Message nowhere admiti
the more enlarged construction which had obtained so si
foothold, was a true exposition of the Constitution, and it c
that its restriction against abuse, viz., that the works whicl
be thus aided should be “of a general, not local — Natioi
State” character, a disregard of which distinction would o;
sity lead to the subversion of the Federal System^ was unsai
irary in its nature and inefficient.
3d. Although he might not feel it to be his duty to inter]
Executive veto against the passage of Bills appropriating
for the construction of such works as were authorized by the
and were National in their character the President did n
to be understood as assenting to the expediency of embark
General Government in a system of that kind at this time;
could never give his approval to a measure having the char;
that under consideration, not being able to regard it in an
light than as a measure of a purely local character; or if ;
be considered National no further distinction between the
priate duties of the General and State Governments need
tempted, for there could be no local interest that might not
such a construction, be denominated, with equal proprie
tional.
His ^eto was placed on that specific ground, and the resi
Message was principally taken up in discussing the proprr
expediency of deferring all other action upon the subject,
appropriations for National works until the Public Debt sh
Clliiy conletuled iliat tlio const iluiioiial (|uesti(>n did not arise 1)
the specific ))ill was presented for tlie action of (\)no’ivss.
inucli more propriety could that be said of the Survey Bill,
appropriation in aid of the Chesapeake and Delaware Ckinal
sustained on the ground of its being a work of national iin[)or:
and the Maysvillc veto did not expressly deny the coustitaitior
of siuti approj)riations. Whether tluit was one of such a char
or not was a. (luestion in respect to which, in tlu‘ absiuice of c(
tutional regulation, (len. Jackson was obliged to exercise his d
tion. He did so in that case and voted for the Bill—he did the
thing in tlie case of th(‘ Maysville Road and vetoed it. d'he
piety of the veto was therefore rcilueed t,o the single (piestion
the character of the road— was it national or locar!!-'an issi
wliich his opponents could not sustain theniselvt‘s for a inoi
lie was thus cnabhal to go to tlu^ Country with his views in
of suspending aedion evtui upon works of national iinportaiiee
ih(‘, public d(‘bt was [laid and (‘oust it ui ional amendments ohta
{(^ guard against, otlu‘rwis(‘ iinav’oidable abusi'S, uiuanl)arrasse
sld(‘ issu(‘S of any <lescri]>ti(m otiuu* than that to which I hav<
rtdVriaal and upon which his position was al»soluti'ly imprt‘gr
It was tlu‘. conscionsn(‘Ss of the soundness of the, positions
in the /v/o- Message' tliat pnalnced (lu^ raving d(‘l)at(‘s in tin' 1
wlu'U it was lirst presc'iitt'd to that body, ami it was doubt 1
similar constaonsiu'ss that fort'ed Mr. (’lay in a spc't'eh on the
sage ilelivered at (’iiu'innati, sliortly afti'r its appeuraniH', so I
forgc't the proprietii's of his position to {*ompari‘ llu' Mt'ssa
the paper sent by (u'orge HI, during liis insanity, which-, tl
ha<l his name attaclu'd to it, couhl not said to lun’i' spok(‘
sentinu'uts, and to exclaim that he <‘ould not r<‘ad it wiilnmt,
ing th(', nauK' of Talh'yrand! d'allyraii<l! Talkwraiul ! crmt in
recurring to his mind. Ih' could hardly ha\i^ Ih'C'u aware o
weight of It'siimony he. bon', in tlu^ latter ('xc'lainat ion in fav
till' Message on the score of talc'ut and powi'r. ''Fhe r-eadi'r
judgi' foi‘ himsidf as to tla‘ degree of suci'ess with which the
sketched in my note to the President of tlu' Ith of May, hedoi'e. ^
were, I'arried out.
A gi’i'at sti'j) had hi'i'U takc'U towards ri'moviug from Dougri
iiuaihiis whiidi had for years wi'ighed upon it in the shap(‘ o
u\ailing elfort to establish a meful system of inti'rnal improM
under its auspices ami by its coUhority. Whilst tlu' tinu' of
body was- wasted in unfi'ultful debates and its (’Upai'ily foi
I* T • .1 1 1 . • 1 J* • i J * I J t / < . i ! J
absolutely indispensable. A step in advance had been t^
we Imew very well that more was to be done and that ot]
tions must be assumed to make that step available, and we
ourselves without delay to a consideration of their character,
of us laboring, it is but truth to say it, under vain coi
our self-sufficiency, I with the approbation of the Presiden
the best counsel that the Country afforded by opening
spondence on the subject with Mr. Madison. In his reci
Message, the President had given a construction to Mr. J
^oeto of Mr. Calhoun’s Bonus Bill, of which we thought
suspectible altho’ not with absolute certainty of our pos
am free to admit that a floating impression existed in i
throughout that Mr. Madison might, altho’ I could not
how^, disavow that construction. I sincerely wished foi
result and the wish was doubtless father to the thought,
fore sent him an early copy of the General’s ^6^<9“Messg
way best calculated to elicit an expression of his views i
point without asking them. His first note shews the re
as the residue of the correspondence explains the reason
continuance I will make no apology for inserting all tl
here. Wliat such a man as Mr. Madison has said upon a sub
much importance cannot be too carefully preserved and
clearly no reason for a continuance of the confidence in v
letters were written and which has hitherto been observed.
From Mr. Madison.^
J. Madison has duly received the copy of the President’s Message
by Mr. Van Buren. In returning his thanks for this polite attenti
grets the necessity of observing that the IMessage has not rightly
the intention of J. M. in his Veto in 1817 on the Bill relating t(
Improvements. It was an object of the Veto to deny to Congress i
the appropriating power, as the executing and jurisdictional bran<
and it is believed that this was the general understanding at the
has continued to be so, according to the references occasionally mj
document. Whether the language employed duly conveyed the n
which J. M. retains the consciousness is a question on which he
inesume ° to judge for others.
Belying on the candor to which these remarks are addressed he
Mr. Van Buren renewed assurances of his high esteem and goc
Montpelier, June 3, 1830,
To Mb. Madison.
Washington June I
Dear Sir,
I have shewn your note of the 3rd inst. to the President who requ
AtfTOBIOGRAPHY OF MARTIFT VAIST BUEEIir.
place it in his power to correct the error in informal conversation h(
not fail to do so, and should an occasion occur on which a more forma
rection would be pertinent it will give him pleasure to make it, if ac
that that course would be preferred by you.
Will you excuse me for troubling you again upon this interesting anc
plexing subject? I am deeply sensible of the necessity of repose to o
your advanced age and of the claims to its enjoyment which are foi
upon your past usefulness, but deriving confidence from your read
quiescence in my wishes on a former occasion I venture to intrude
more upon your retirement. You have had some experience of the inji
tendency of legislation upon this subject by Congi’ess, but no one can
an idea of the demoralizing effect which for years past it has had
their proceedings without being on the spot and forming a part of the
ernment. The President is deeply impressed with the importance of a
ing its further progress and very willing to incur whatever .responsibili
can properly take upon himself to promote that object. - You have see
ground he has taken and can appreciate fully the position he occupies,
unnecessary for me to say to you that the matter cannot rest here bu1
it will he necessary for him to go farther at the next session of Congr
Among the points which will then come up for consideration will I
following : 1st, the establishment of some rule which shall give the greatest
ticable precision to the power of appropriating money for objects of g^
concern ; 2d, a rule for the government of grants for light houses and tl
provement of harbors and rivers which will avoid the objects which it
sirable to exclude from the present action of Government and at the
time to do what is imperiously required by a due regard to the genera
merce of the Country; 3d, the expediency of refusing alt appropriatioi
internal improvements, (other than those of the character last referred
they may be so called,) until tlie national debt is paid, as well on accoi
the sufficiency of that motive, as to give time for the adoption of som
stitutional or other arrangement by which the whole subject may be pla(
better grounds, — an arrangement which will never be seriously attempi
long as scattering appropriations are made and the scramble for them tl
encouraged ; 4th, the strong objections which exist against subscriptions
stock of private companies by the United States.
There is no man more willing to hear with patience and to weigh with c
the suggestions of those in whom he has confidence than the President,
relation in w^hich I stand to him will give him the right to be furnishec
my views upon these matters and I need not say how much I would be
fitted in forming and fortified in sustaining them by your friendly advi
ask it in confidence and will receive whatever your leisure and inclinatioi
induce you to say upon the subject under the same obligation.
Wishing to be kindly remembered to Mrs. Madison, I am dear Sir,
Yery truly yours, ^
S32
AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATIO
document must speak for itself, and that that intention cs
for the established rules of interpretation.
The several points on which you desire my ideas are
the observations on them can not well be otheiwise. T1
a respect for your request, rather than by a hope that
object of it.
Point 1. The establishment of some rule which shall g
ticable precision to the power of appropriating money t
concern.”
The rule must refer, it is presumed, either to the obje
or to the apportionment of the money.
A specification of the objects of general concern in teru
oe, seems to be the rule most applicable; thus Roads s
uses of Roads; or Roads, post and military, if limited t(
roads only, if so limited : thus. Canals, either generally, <
so again Education; as limited to a university, or exten
other denominations.
As to the apportionment of the money, no rule can ex<
cretion but that of distribution among the States accordi;
contributions; that is, to their ratio of Representation ii
vantages of this rule are its certainty, and its appareni
tions to it may be that, on one hand, it would increase thi
of the Federal Government, and, on the other that the
expended on objects of general concern; the interests of
happening to coincide with the general interest in relat
within such States.
“ 2, A rule for the Government of Grants for Light-hou
ment of Harbours and Rivers, which will avoid the objects
to exclude from the present action of the Government; a
do what is imperiously required by a regard to the gene
Country.”
National grants in these cases seem to admit no possib'
tion, but as the objects may be of a national or local chai
lies in all cases where the degree and not the nature of t
In the extremes, the judgment is easily formed ; as betw€
tions in the Mississippi, the highway of commerce for In
like operation, giving but little extension to the navigable
of confined use. In the intermediate cases, legislative d
quently, legislative errors and partialities are unavoidabl
attainable in doubtful cases, from preliminary investiga
disinterested and responsible agents.
In defraying the expense of internal improvements, sti
quire that a part only and not the whole should be borne
for examples the Harbours of New York and New Orleans.
luudi as possible. lUit; it: scHnns not to Ix' sutlUnoiilly rocolUxtol, tliat; in rela-
tion to our (*oinnuM*c(S the i)ur(Uni and iKnietit of aeeonnnodatin^ and
protend in.a: it. iHH*(‘ssaril.v to^^’idlun*, and must do so as lonj;' and as far as the
publi(* r(‘veinK‘ eontinuos to l>e drawn thro’ tlu^ (histonihonse. What(‘v(‘r .a:ives
facility ami senairity to navipition, cheapens imports; and all who consunu^
them wlunnwiM* i*(‘sidinj^ are alike interested in what has that (‘fleet. If flaw
consume tlu‘y ou^id; as th(‘y mnv do to pay. Tf tlu\v do not (‘onsume, they do
not pay. Th(‘ (‘onsumer in th<‘ most inland State d(‘riv(‘s the same advanta.i^t^
from the mwssary and prudc‘nt exptmditur(‘s for the si‘curity of our foreign
navipitioip as the (‘onsum(‘r In a maritime Stat(X Our local (jxpmiditiuvs have
not of tlunnselvTS a corrt‘spotul(‘nt oi)eration.
“3. Th(‘ (‘Xp(‘dlency of nd’usinjj; all appropriations for internal improvenuvnts
(otlun* than those of th(‘ character last ref(‘rr<‘d to, if tla‘y can b(‘ so calU‘d)
until tlu‘ national (h‘bt is i>aid; as w(‘ll on account of the sutlichMU'y of that
motiv(‘, as to .a:iv(‘ tim(‘ for th(‘ a<loption of soim* constitutional or <dlu‘r arrauKc-
mmd by which th(‘ whoU‘ subj(‘ct may l)<‘ plac(‘d on b(‘tt;(‘r jiijrounds ; an arran^ns
numt which will nevm* be s(‘riously attempt<‘d as lonjj; as scatteTin^j: appropria-
tions are made, and th(‘ scrami»le for tlu*m tlu‘r<‘l)y (UH'oura^cHl.”
''riu‘ ('\p(Mli(*-m’y of n'fusinii: appropriations, with a Yi(*w t.o th(‘ pnnious dis-
cliarjire of th(‘ pul>li(^ (h‘bt, involv(‘s consid(‘rations wbicii can Ih‘ Ix'st W(‘i):^h<‘d
and compan'd at tlH‘ focus of lights on tiie sul>J<‘<*t. ,\ distant view lik<‘ mint‘
(*an only suOT‘-'^t th(‘ r(*mark. t<x) va^u(‘ to lx‘ of value, that, a mat (‘rial d(‘lay
oujjcht not to ix‘ IncunH'd for obj(‘cls md both lm]x>rtant and ur?.!:(‘nt; luji* such
(»hj<‘<*ts to 1 k‘ m‘^cU‘ct(‘d in or<U‘r t<^ avoid an lmmat(‘rial d(‘lay, d'his is, ind(‘(‘d,
but th<‘ amount of tin' (‘\(‘(‘{)t ion ^hinc<‘d at in your paiaad h(‘sls.
mortifyin;.^ s<*t‘n(‘s conncct(‘d witli a suri>lus r(‘V(‘mu‘ ar(‘ th(‘ natural olT“
sprin^j; of a surplus; and cannot p(‘rliaps lx* (‘iitlndy pn‘V(‘ided by any plan of
appn»priat Ion which allows a sc<Ma‘ to I.(‘^dslat iv<‘ dlscr(‘tion. dla* (‘vil will
hav(‘ a pow<*rful controul in th(‘ p(‘rvadin;i: dlslllu* to taxt'S (‘V(‘n lh(‘ m<»st Indl-
r(‘cl. ''rix' tax(‘s lat(‘ly r(‘p(‘ah‘d an* an lndc.x of It. Wt'n* tin* wladi* r(‘Vcnue
(‘xp(*nd(‘d on internal iitiprovenu*nts drawn fn»m din‘ct taxathm, tlxu'i* would lx*
danK<‘r of too much parsimony ratln‘r than loo much profusion at tlx* d’rt*asury.
**4. Th(‘ HtronjL? ohj(‘(‘tions whl<*li (*xlst JiKalnst subscriptions to fix* st<x‘k of
private* (’ompani(‘s !)y tlx* i'nll<‘d Stat(‘s.”
Tlx* obJ<*cti<ms an* doubt l(‘ss in many n‘sp(‘cts strong. Y(‘t cas(‘s ml|:;lit
pr(‘s<‘ut th(‘ms('lv(*s v\ Inch mmlit. n<»t lx* favor(‘d by tix* Stat(‘, whilst tlx* con-
currlim ajxtmcy of an i ’ixii‘rtakinjLC (’ompany would lx* d(*s!rabl(‘ in a nali(»nal
v!(‘w. Then* was a tinx* it is said wix‘n tlx* Stat(* of I>(*lawan‘, lnlliX‘nc(‘d by
tlx* profits of a lx‘lw<*(‘U tlx* i>(‘lHWHn‘ and ( 4x*sap(‘ak(*, was unfi'i(*ixlly
to tlx* (’anal, now forming so Important, a link of intt‘rnal communication he-
twc(*n tix* North and tlx* So\ith. rnd<*rtakltijLCs by jndvati* companies carry with
tlx*m a pn*snmptiv(* cvldt*nc(* of utility, arxl tlx* in-ivalt* .stak(‘s in tlx*m, sonx*
s(‘(*urlty for (*conomy In tlx* (‘Xt*cntion, tix* want of which Is tlx* baix* of pnhlic
nnd(‘rtak!nKJ^. Still tlx* import uidti<*s of prlvati* conipani«*s cannot he llsteix*d
to with m<»n* caution tlian pnxi(‘nc«* n‘(}uires.
I !iav<*, as you know, n(*vcr consid(‘r(‘d tlx* pow(‘rs claimed for < ’oimn'ss ov(*r
roads and (*anals, as w ithin tlx* grants (»f tlx* < loust It ti( ion. Unt snch Improvt*-
nx*nts lx*in,ic Just ly ranked aiixmi^ the Kreat(‘st a<lvantaKes ?uxl lx*.st (*vid(*n<‘(*s of
Kootl Ltov^Tiiiix*!!! ; am! having. moreov(*r. witli us, fix* p(‘cullar rccomm«‘ndntlon
of irmdimr tlx* several narts of I lx* ruhm mon* hrmlr toaetlx*!*. I have always
334
AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION.
are restricted in their pecuniary resources ; and Roads and Cana
portant in a national view might not be important to the State or
sessing the domain and the soil ; or might even be deemed disadvant
on the most favourable supposition might require a concert of mear
lations among several States not easily effected, nor unlikely to b<
omitted.
These considerations have pleaded with me in favour of the polic
in Congress an authority over internal improvements. I am seni
same time of the magnitude of the trust, as well as of the difficulty '
it properly and the greater difficulty of executing it satisfactorily.
On a supposition of a due establishment of the power in Cong
the modes of using it might be, to apportion a reasonable share
posable revenue of the United States among the States to be appl;
to cases of State concern; with a reserved discretion in Congress t
improvements of general concern which the States might not be
disposed to provide for.
If Congress do not mean to throw away the rich fund inherited i:
lands, would not the sales of them, after their liberation from
pledge, be aptly appropriated to objects of internal improvementf
not also, with a supply of the competent authority, to the remov
situations of the free black as well as red population, objects coi
national importance and desirable to all parties ? But I am travelir
subject before me.
The date of your letter reminds me of the delay of the answer,
has been occasioned by interruptions of my health ; and the answer
is offered in the same confidence in which it was asked.
With great esteem & cordial salutations.
James
Mr. Van Buken.
From Mr. Madison..
Montpellier, Oc
Dear Sir
I rec*^ your letter of July 30th in due time but have taken advai
permitted delay in answering it. Altho’ I have again turned in r
the subjects of your former letter “ on which any further remar:
would be acceptable”, I do not find that I can add anything matei
is said either in my letter of July 5th or in preceding ones. Tin
cases of local improvements or establishments having immediate
external commerce and navigation will continue to produce questi
culty, either constitutional, or as to utility or impartiality, which car
cided according to their respective merits. No general rule, foun^
else definitions, is perhaps possible; none certainly that relates to
as those of Light Houses, which must depend on the evidence befo
petent authority. In procuring that evidence it will, of course be
AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF MARTIl^r VAK BURE3Y.
a rej'-ret that I cannot make you a more important commuiiicat
renew the assurances of iny great esteem and my cordial salutations.
James Madis
Mr. Van Bukkn.
Havino- cai’cfully observed tlic course of public opinion and 1
satisfied that it had settled down decidedl}^ in favor of the p
of postponing all appropriations for works of internal improve]
even for such as miglit fairly be deemed of a national chai
until the public debt was paid, as he had suggested in his
Message, the President was prepared to take his own position
that point in his second annual Message in December of the
year.- Justice cannot be done to him without accompanying
view of those important transactions with explanations which n
under otlun* circuimstances be considered unnecessary. He first
notice of the vote he had given, whilst Senator, in favor of the C
peake and Delaware Canal of which he spoke as follows:
In speaking of direct approi)!*^^^!!^ I moan not to include a practice
has obtained to some extent, and to whi(*]i T have, in one instance, in a dil
capacity, given luy nsstmt. — that of siihserihing to the stx>ck of private ai
lions. Positive experien(‘e, and a more thorough eonsideration of the si
hav(‘ eonvin('(‘d nu‘ of the im]>ropi*iety as well as iiu'xpediency of such
ments. All im])rovem(mts (dTeeted hy the fnnds of the nation for gcner
should he ojkmi to the tmJoynuMit of all our fellow eitizens, exempt fro
])ayment of tolls, or any*^ imi)ositlon of that chara(*t('r: The ])ractice o
mingling the concerns of th(‘ Government with those of tlie States or o
viduals is inconsistent with tin' object of its institution, and higiily im]
The successful oi)eration of the UMleral system (-an only he preserved hy
ing it to lh(‘ f(‘W and simple hut yet Important objects for which it was dej
* h: »i* ])ower whi<*li the (Jeneral GovernnuMit would acquire vdtl
stwtu-al States hy becoming the principal stockholder in corpo^ation^
trolling every canal and (‘acii sixty or hundred miles of every importatv
and giving a, proi>ortionat(‘ vote in all th(‘ir (,d(‘ctions, is almost inconcc
and, in my view, <Iang(‘rons to tlie lilKuMies of the ])eople.
I la ving ilnis acknowledged with cbaracteristic franloiesi
change wbicli bis opinion bad undergone on the point referred
si)oke with tlie same freedom of the general subject, and said, a
oilier tilings:
In my oldections to the hills authorizing subscriptions to the Maysvil
,U(K‘kville Road Gomi«ini(‘S, T expressed my viinvs fully in regard to the
of (’ougress to <‘onstruct roads and canals within a State, or to appr(
money for inqmovemonts of a local charaefm*. I, at the same time, iutima
336
AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION.
debt is paid, and tliat, in tlie meanwliile, some general rule for tl
tbe Government in tbat respect ought to be established.
These suggestions were not necessary to the decision of the qi
before me; and were, I readily admit, intended to awake the at
draw forth the opinions and observations of our constituents, upc
of the highest importance to their interests, and one destined to ex(
ful influence upon the future operations of our political system,
no tribunal to which a public man in this Country, in a case oi
difficulty, can appeal with greater advantage or more propriety th£
ment of the people; and although I must necessarily, in the disci
official duties, be governed by the dictates of my own judgment, I
sire to conceal my anxious wish to conform, as far as I can, to t
those for whom I act.
All irregular expressions of public opinion are of necessity at
some doubt as to their accuracy; but, making full allowance on t
I can not, I think, deceive myself in believing that the acts ref
well as the suggestions which I allowed myself to make, in relat
bearing upon the future operations of the Government, have be<
by the great body of the people. That those whose immediate p
terests are to be affected by proposed expenditures should shrink 1
plication of a rule which prefers their more general and remote
those which are personal and immediate, is to be expected. Bu
objections must, from the nature of our population, be but temper
duration; and if it were otherwise our course should be the sai
time is yet, I hope, far dishmt when those intrusted with power to
for the good of the whole will consider it either honest or wise,
local favors at the sacrifice of principle and general good.
So understanding public sentiment and thoroughly satisfied that
terests of our common Country imperiously require that the C(
1 have recommended in this regard should be adopted, I have, up
mature consideration, determined to pursue it.
It is due to candor as well as to my own feelings that I should
reluctance and anxiety which I must at all times experience in es
undoubted right of the Executive to withhold his assent from hi
grounds than their constitutionality. That this right should not
on slight occasions, all will admit. It is only in matters of deep in
the principle involved may be justly regarded as next in importau'
tions of the Constitution itself, that such a step can be expected t
the approbation of the people. Such an occasion do I conscientious!;
present to be. In the discharge of this delicate and highly respon
am sustained by the reflection that the exercise of this power has 1
consistent with the obligations of official duty by several of my p
and by the persuasion too, that whatever liberal institutions may :
from the encroachments of Executive power, which has been ever;
cause of so much strife and bloody contention, but little danger is
AUTOBIOGRAPHY OP MARTIN VAN BUREN. S3Y
prejudice, by a rigid application of that portion of the public funds which might
otherwise be applied to different objects to that highest of all oui* obligations,
the payment of the public debt, and an opportunity be afforded for the adop-
tion of some better rule, for the operations of the Government in this matter,
than any which has hitherto been actixl upon.
After his re-election, and in his sixth annual Message he repeated
the views he here expressed and took a final leave of the subject in
the following emphatic terms:
So far, at least as it regards this branch of the subject, my best hopt\s
have been realijsed. Nearly four years have elapsed, and several sessions of
Congress have intervened, and no attempt, within my recollection has bixxi
made to induce Congress to exei*eise this power. The application for the con-
struction of roads and canals, which were formerly multiplied upon your
tiles, are no longer presented ; and we have good reason to infer that tlu' cur-
rent of public sentiment has become so decided against the pretension as effec-
tually to discMuirage its reassertion. So thinking, I derive the greatest satis-
faction from the conviction that thus much iit least has l>een secured upon tlds
important and embarrassing subject.
From attempts to appropriate the national funds to objects which are con-
fessedly of a local character we cannot, I trust, have any thing fiirtlier to
apprehend. My views in regard to the expediency of inaking appropriafions
for works which arci claimed to be of a national character, and in*os(‘cnt(Hl uiultM*
State authority, assuming that Congress have the right to do so, wen^ stalx'd
in my annual message to Congress in 1.830, and also in that containing my ob-
jections to the MaysvilU) Road bill.
So thoroughly convinced am I that no such appropriations ought to l)i'
made by Congress, until a siiitabU' constitutional provision is mad(' npon
the subj(K‘t, and so essential do I regard the point to the highest inteix^sts of
our Country, that I could not consider myself as discharging my duty to my
constitTients in giving the Executive sanction to any bill containing smth an
appi’opriation. If the people of the United States d(\sire that the public Treasury
shall be resorted to for the means to prosecute such works, they will comair
in an amendment to the Constitution, prescribing a rule by whi<.*h the' nal ional
character of the works is to he tested, ami by whidi the gnxUest pra.ctit‘a!>l(^
equality of benefits may he secunxl to each iiKauber of tlu^ confxxhu-acy.
effects of such a regulatiou would he most salutary in preventing unprolllahle
expenditures, in securing our legislation from the pernicious conse(iuen(H‘s of a
scramble for the favors of Government, and in repressing the spirit of
discontent which must inevitably arise from an unequal distribution of
treasures which belong alike to all.
From this declaration he excepted appropriatioirs for the im-
provement of our harbors and for the, i-emoval of partial and (mu-
porary obstructions in om- navigable rivers, fni- the facilil-v and
55b
AMiUKlUAJN ±llbTUJ:tiUAJU AbbULJi-axiUiN .
Improvements by the Federal Government was — there
^reason to believe — forever withdrawn from the action of
ernment. Not that any such consequence can be attribu
opinion or action of any man who may for a season be
its head, for no one conversant with human nature or with
of political events will ever expect with confidence sue]
from such causes. The opinion I have expressed is fc
more potent considerations. Every effort in the directio
to was certainly suspended for eleven years and other fieh
tion in behalf of such works were soon found and occu
a people as impulsive as ours eleven years of denial and
almost equivalent to an eternal veto, and those who n
that the passion for Internal Improvements, so rampant j
of the Federal Government at the commencement of th
administration, would seek other and constitutional dire
its gratification, if that could be perseveringly denied t
for even a shorter period, stand justified by the event. .
works of that character which it was ever hoped might ]
and useful to the Country, have been made by or und(
thority of the State Governments. All motive for enl
interference of the National Government for generations
has thus been superseded. In the cases of wild and unpr
speculative projects, losses, to the extent of many millic
the Treasury woulcl have sustained if these works had
structed under Federal authority, have fallen with a wei<
ished by the vigilance inspired by private interest and
supervision, upon the shoulders of those who expected to mi
by them, instead of emptying the national coffers, to be
by taxes collected from the mass of the people who wouh
rived no exclusive advantages from their success.
We have had two administrations of the Federal Governii
politics were of the Governmental-improvement stamp,
of the old projects have been brought forward — ^resolutions
of Internal Improvements have been dropped from the par
forms of the party that suported those administrations. 'J
and the practice — except as to cases not involved in the ger
tion— are both exploded as regards the action of the Fee
ernment and the signal advantages which the Country 1
from this result so far as they have not been now refered
elsewhere noticed.
OH AFTER XXVI.
1 have on(*(' or tw’ua' in<‘i(leiitall y inenl ioned, an alVair, uiul
nanu‘ of the Eaton-imbro^Tio, which, llio’ in no pi'optn* vsense |
cal, exerted periiaps a more injurious inlluence upon the manag
of public alfairs than (’ould be ascribed to any of tlu‘ disturbing
tions of the excited ])eriod of wl\icU 1 wi*ite. Breakint!; out
very comnumcement of the administi'ation, k('pt aliv(‘ by hadii
the l)it.t(‘rest {‘haracler and soon directed to tlie acomplishna
politii'al as well as personal objects it maintained for two y<
foothold at the seat of the Federal ( Jovernmeid., a plague to
inter(‘<nu‘s(‘, destnudive in mai\y instances of pi'ivate frieiulshi
ranging public business and for a s(‘ason, at- haist, dis[)aragir
(‘liaract(‘r of the (Jovernment, lOxci'pt pcuhaps the disri‘p
scenes that were witiiessed in hhigland, cxa'asioned by tlu* <|
b(dw(‘(*n < ha)rg('. and his unfortunate* (hieem, then* has no
se(*n in mod(‘rn times so rel(*utless and s() reeddess a foray up
those int(‘r(*sts as that, to which I i’(‘fc‘r. Tlu^rt*, as here*, tin
som(‘whnt. (dfaeiHl the* remembranc(‘ of s(‘en(‘s wldudi, as a- gcunu’a
ai’c nt'Vtu* so well treated as w!u*n they an* d(‘li venal over to i
votiring tooth, ddiat this should la* tin* common fat(‘- of transn
which relUad no credit on tlu* living or tlu* dtaid isnudaiuly dc‘s
luit tlu^ gratilication of such a wish is subject- at- jdl tim(‘s to W(
tied and una voidabli* nastrictions. History ass{*rts Inn* right s
within the limitaiiotis of li'uth and diaamey to make the I
\i(a*s, and ci’iuu's of an <*poch, as wcdl as its \'irtu(*s and merit
a<‘hi(‘\'(ummts subscu’vumt. to her high calling, which is io war
<aarnig g<UH*rations as well as to atinud. them by (‘.xamples; am
viduals who deb^nd t!u‘ms(dv(*s against, attempted implicali
transactions which slu^ must comkunn or t!u*ir fri<*Juls 'w!ic> rec
tlu* didy of protiading their memories wlum ih(*.y cam n<^
HiH’uk for tluuuselves, have at all tim(*s a right to proln* such ;
to tlu*Ir most secret depths in the pursuit, of th(*lr objtads.
Most ghully w'ouh! I pass this subj{*(d without notice* if (Ik* cl
stance's und(*r whiedi I wi’ite would pe‘nnit. me* to do sen Altho"
against my will irdo the* v(*rv fex’us of the* e*xcit <*mcni and frau
to last e‘Xpose‘<I to its fury, 1 at. no ttim* re‘gar<l(*d it- with any
fei*r!ngs than t host' of pain and erngnst ; pain pnxlmaal by
1 -e T w i. I » w »• » I / »•! t I i-.n ti <•<> 1 1 i,n i/i elv/n I UnuJi#
340
AMEEICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION.
and to the performance of its own duties. But standing i
tion of closest friendship to General Jackson whilst he
revering his memory I cannot be insensible to the unfavour
ences and surmises which would inevitably follow, if whi]
ing to give a faithful account of his administration, I w(
over in silence an affair of which the immediate effect wa
up his family circle, which in its consequences contributed
the dissolution of his Cabinet, and for the part he took ii
was arraigned before his constituents with much formalit;
undisguised rancor. Reasons against such a course thus
his case, have become imperative in regard to myself. N"o
my responsibility for what was done in the matter held by
nents to be at least co-extensive with that of the Presid(
addition to attacks thro’ the public press and on the
Senate, which were visited upon both of us, a resolution
to the latter body by Mr. Holmes, a Senator from the State
for the appointment of a Committee to examine into my
the premises with authority to send for persons and to (
introduction of papers. It is true that the Senator offeri
abandoned his resolution for reasons the utter f rivolousnes
afforded abundant evidence of the unworthy motives by
had been governed in its introduction — a demonstration q\
essary to convince me, who had wintered and summered
and well understood the stuff of which he was made, thai
its real origin and character. But his resolution stands
record and would if there were no other reasons effectuall
me from omitting, in a sketch of my own life and times,
account of my course in the matter and as much of the '
others as may be necessary to make that entirely intellig:
I shall endeavour to do with proper respect to every coi
entitled to it and bearing upon the subject.
The dissatisfaction caused by Gen. Jackson’s Cabine'
ments has been already referred to. This discontent wa
fined to a particular class, neither was it in all cases, occ
precisely the same causes. Major Eaton was the son of a
spectable lady of Tennessee, a widow at the time of whic
much esteemed by Gen. Jackson, and her son also had st
AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF MARTIN VAN BUREN.
S41
construction. Their amor 'proprius was offended by this as they
thought it evinced an undeserved preference, and jealousies and en-
mities accordingly sprang up among his supporters in Tennessee
many of which were never healed. Major Donelson, a nephew of
Mrs. Jackson, whose wife was also her neice, and who had been from
his infancy a member of the General’s, family — a man moreover of
much more ability than he had credit for — partook largely of this
feeling. The seeds of dissatisfaction with and opposition to the
first act of the President were thus extensively and deeply sown not
only in his own State but in his immediate household.
There was another, perhaps I should say a higher class — a class
at all events moved by higher considerations and looking to graver
objects — which shared freely in the prevailing discontent. When
these latter came to canvass the materials of which the new Cabinet
was composed and the circumstances under which it was formed
they thought they saw in them the evidence of a design on the part
of ° the President-elect to counteract Presidential aspirations which
his popularity had caused to be suspended, but the realization of
which at the end of his first term, was confidently anticipated.
The hostile feelings towards the new Cabinet, at its start, enter-
tained by these branches of malcontents were, in variously modified
forms, extended to the President himself and, in the sequel, espc~
daily to the individual whose advancement was supposed — ^how cor-
rectly will be hereafter seen — ^to have been the main object in its
formation. It was not long before they found vent and thro’ the
same channel. Major Eaton, ^ the new Secretary of War had mar-
ried a young widow ^ of much beauty and considerable smartness
in respect to whose relations with himself before marriage, and
whilst she was the wife of another, there had been unfavourable
reports. A question was on that account raised as to her fitness
for the social position otherwise due to the wife of a member of
the Cabinet, her unworthiness alleged, with various degrees of pub-
licity, and her exclusion from fashionable society insisted on. The
President whilst willing and at all times avowedl}^ ready to open
the door to the severest scrutiny as to the facts, but confiding in
her innocence with a sincerity that no man doubted, resented these
doings, with the spirit and resolution natural to him on all occa-
when (he distiirhauce to wliich he alhuled was first (level()[)e(l, tluit
J was fluMvfore in a betfei' eondition io (‘ontrol iny feelinos and
act ions in rt‘gard to it than, most of my associates in t he (Jovern-
ment ; that I sorely reixretted its existence not only on account of its
tcuidency to destroy the j)leasiires of s<H*ial intercourse bet.wecui many
of us, but in view of what was far more important, its ineA'itablc
(dfet't to mar the success and security of the administration; that I
knew nothing, nor had I heard of anythiiio: whicli would, in my
oj)inion, re((uire on my j)art the line of con<hu*t that was pursiUMl (as
I was informed) 1)3’ others in respect to Mrs. Eaton; that so lon^ as
I continued to view the matter in that li^ht. 1 would treat the Secre-
tary of Whir aud his family with the same n^sjx^ct and eordiality
<hat I manih‘s(ed towards thi‘ other nuanhei-s of the (hihinet. and
tlu‘ir fainiru‘s; that I should always stand ready to do anytiiin^ in
my power to allay and if possible eradicate (he had spirit, that un-
happily prcvailcal, hut- that 1 did not- want to luair what, was said
and dom^ in the inultiM* and linalfv 1 di^sired Ihai he should iindm*-
siand mt' as prefei*rin^' not to talk about it.
My visitor was clearly disappointtal by ^Iu^ charaebu* of my
olistun at ions and siHuiual to think, altho*’ this idea, was i‘xpi‘(‘ss<ul
ubscuridy and with iKM'omin^i: respetH, that 1 t‘viiu‘ed a deo-na' of
luke\varnnu‘ss, in (h(‘. matter, <|uite. unexpectial and p(‘rha|)S nol.
justifual by tlu‘ eircums(an<’t*s, or els(‘. a want, of conhdiaice in him.
rn,diU*standin;U'' f»dly wliat was passing* in his mind I first im-
deavoured to disabuse him of any suspicion of that- kind by avow-
ing tlu* favourable opinion 1 sincerely mitmiained of him piu’son-
nll\% uml then nmmrkcd that tluuv w'luv oeiaisions wlum a man
should res^mve the (exclusive right- of judging in ndation to his
propm* course and condmd, that tlu^ one now the suhj(‘ct of our
conversation was of (led natun‘, in my opinion, so far as 1 was
at all conc(‘rn(*d, and that my (‘oiudusions in regard to it- wt‘re
siK'ii as i thought dm‘ to my own self respect and to my ollicial
position. A man of tlu* world uiul of good stmst' hims(‘lf, lu*, ap-
peared, as I t.liought, inclined to change his impnsssions and Ud‘t
mc^ in gooil humor.
I soon found, although nothing was said to nu‘ uIhmi( it, that
la* had communicadi'd our (‘ouversation (o t,lu^ S(‘cr(*iarv ol Whir
and his immediai(‘ friimds and (‘spi'ciallv lo tlu^ Ibn^sidtait-, Iroin
uhos(‘ nianmu' of treating the subject, wiuuu'ver it was introduced
m mv pri*scn<*ie I iuliuixsl with pli*usuri* liis appri^hation of the
coinsc I had markial out. for m\'S{dl.
. IV.. t . . V r llv,. 1 I t**...: iTlntud-
ladies. Unaffected and graceful in manners, amiable ai
feminine in disposition and character, and bright and self
in conversation, they were fair representatives of the ladie
tucky and Tennessee. Both alas! are now no more. Or
sion when the name of Mrs. Eaton was accidentally and 1
introduced, and which was shortly after my interview
scribed, Mrs. Donelson, in the presence of her cousin, exp;
surprise that whilst almost every tongue in the city was c
that lady’s merits and demerits she had never heard me
thing upon the subject, a remark the tone of which rathei
substance conveyed, tho’ gently, a complaint of my reser^
under an engagement which called me away and had on]
assure her that my silence had not arisen from an unwill:
talk with them upon the subject and that with her per
would do so upon the first favorable occasion. She took
word and we fixed the time when I was to call upon then
purpose. T\Tien we met I was happy to be immediatel;
from the embarrassment that seemed inseparable from tin
to and the nature of our discussion, by a statement from ]
elson of the grounds on which she justified the course she
suing, which was a marked one and decidedly adverse tc
in question. She spoke of her as possessing a bad tern]
meddlesome disposition and said that the latter had been
increased by her husband’s elevation as to make her societ
agreeable to be endured. She did not allude to any rumo;
tations upon her fame ; she might not have believed them,
have omitted to notice them from motives of delicacy, or
have thought allusion to them unnecessary on account o:
ficiency of those which she frankly acknowledged. Whet
enced by the one or the other motive I had no desire to ir
took the matter up on the grounds on which she had place
the sake of the discussion only, I agreed, after a momer
tion, to admit that she was right in her views of Mrs. Eat
acter and disposition and proceeded to impress upon he:
though her reasons would excuse her from cultivating a
timacy with that lady they neither required nor would ji
having regard to her position as the female head of he
family, to decline her society to the extent to which she
and to caution her against being controlled in her course I
whom she esteemed, and who were entitled to her respect ar
but whose opinions upon that particular subject as I tho
Qc T wao imrlnlxT in mr
AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF MARTIN VAN BUREN. S46
at least, of a more serious character than any that she had previously
allowed to be taken into her consideration ; they related to the situa-
tion of her Uncle, whom she dearly loved, to the difficulties he had
to contend with in the performance of his public duties, to the value
he placed upon the peace and harmony of his family and the misery
he suffered in seeing them destroyed by an affair in respect to which
she certainly knew that he acted a sincere part, and to the extent
to which her course sanctioned imputations of a graver character
both upon the lady in question and upon himself for sustaining her,
which were used by his enemies to injure him-; &c. &c. Before I
had concluded Miss Easton who had sought to hide her emotions
by gradually withdrawing herself from sight in the embrasure of
the window, sobbed aloud, and I preceived that Mrs. Donelson be-
sides being deeply agitated was also offended by my allusions to the
I^robability that she had been unduly influenced by others upon
such a subject. I rose from my seat, begging her to excuse whatever
I might, under the excitement of the moment, have said to hurt her
feelings, but perfectly satisfied that they were too far committed to
be reached by anything I could urge, and I asked her permission to
drop the subject. To this she assented, acknowledging that she had
been momentarily ruffled by some of my remarks but assuring me
that she was not offended with me.
Our conference did not produce the slightest change in our sub-
sequent relations. I stood, upon her invitation, as one of the spon-
sors in baptism of her daughter, and her bearing towards me con-
tinued respectful and kind to the day of her lamented death.
I became convinced that Mrs. Donelson’s earnest feelings on this
occasion and in reference to this affair were less the effects of any-
thing that she had heard or believed than of natural sympathy
with her husband who was deeply interested in the quarrel — dif-
fering widely in opinion and feeling from his Uncle, the Presi-
dent. As evidence of his great excitement at this time he after-
wards told me that his dislike to me during the progress of these
transactions had become so strong that he could have drowned me
with a drop of water.” The relations between the General and
his family grew every day more complicated and embarrassed until
Mainr "DonplRon and his familv emitted the White House and re-
own lips the explanations of its import which I liave gi\
Desiring to offer some proof of my great respect and s
teem to the General at parting and having the opinion of tl
talents which I have already expressed, I decided, soon
election to offer the latter a place in my Cabinet, and appi
both of that intention. But having consulted a discreet
interested friend from the same quarter of the Union ;
to the opinion likely to be formed there of the propriety
step I was led to doubt its expediency. My friend doubt(
the Major’s capacity nor his integi'ity but thought that tla
ment would cause a surprise on the part of the public a
be regarded as an advancement disproportioned to the s
had before occupied. I suggested the doubt to the General:
not asked the appointment) and found that the same
passed through his own mind, but that he had not felt ]
liberty, under the circumstances, to suggest it. I immedia
to the Major that I had changed my mind, giving frankl
son for it, and received in reply the following manly let'
it will be seen, refers to the state of his feelings towards ]
the first term of the General’s Presidency, of which also,
wards spoke to me, as I have mentioned.
Feom Major Donelson.
Nashville, Fehmary
Dear Sir,
Your letter post marked the Sth inst. has just reached me. I s
in an hour or two for Washington under the hope of joining the Ge;
he leaves the city and witli the intention of accompanying him to th(
if I can be of service to him.
I am grateful for the kindness manifested in your letter and no
more sensible than I am that the views it expresses respecting tl
my being placed in a responsible situation near you are correct,
were my convictions on this subject that I thought it my duty so
ten days ago to write such a letter to the General as w'^ould induce
the judgment of mutual friends had created any doubt in your mi
to the decision which has been adopted.
I cannot value too highly your friendship. It is the reward
acquaintance manifesting much forbearance and generosity on yc
went to Vv^ashington full of misconception of your character and de^
by many of the circumstances that attended the first four years
Jackson’s canvass for the Presidency. It will be my endeavour to
amends for the injustice done you by doing all I can in my hin
to make your true character known to those who are willing to cr^
ill no other respect I may in this do some good to the Republics
AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF MARTHA VAIST BUEEInT.
the same stage, imperfect as it is as an expression of my grateful feeli
towards you, to risking the chances of my not being able to see you before
4th of March.
Remember me kindly to your sons and believe me sincerely
Your friend,
A. J. Donelso:
The nature of the personal feelings which the state of thii
I have described was calculated to engender among those connec
with the Government and residing at Washington may be eas
inferred. All were more or less affected by it and it was un(
its adverse influences that we worked through the spring, sumr
and the first months of the autumn. Those feelings grew ev(
day more and more bitter because they were to a great deg
smothered as no opportunity was presented for theiu open ind
gence on the part of the leading officials. The entertainment gi^
to the Diplomatic Corps in the spring was a dinner-party of geni
men ° only and passed off without embarrassment. A Cabinet cl
ner, to which the ladies of the families of the members who co
posed it would have to be invited was not even spoken of in :
hearing before the month of November. That subject was then int
ducecl by the President in one of our rides, which, when the weat
permitted, were ahnost of daily occurrence and gradually leng
ened as presenting the best opportunities for consultation left to
by the press of visitors and other preoccupations. ITe had, he S£
been led to postpone his Cabinet dimiers to so late a period by
undefined apprehension that the violent feelings of the members
both sides of the social problem out of which our difficulties 1
arisen, and of which he had not been suffered, to remain ignora
might lead to unavoidable acts on his part with which he thou^
it would be more difficult for an Administration to deal in its
fancy, than after it had been some time under way and bi
allowed opportunities to advance itself in the favor of the peo]
Public business, he remaiiced, must always be attended to when
occasion for its performance arises, but with matters of ceremo;
like that under consideration, he thought a greater latitude ^
allowable. As the session of Congress was however near at ha
when this matter should not rest undisposed of he thought
sooner it was entered UDon the better.
348
AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIAOTOK.
templated by a portion of the Cabinet would be reserve^
which would naturally follow. I expressed that opinion 1
much confidence and it was decided that his invitationj
forthwith sent out.
There were no absentees at the President’s Cabinet (
no very marked exhibitions of bad feeling in any quarte
were nevertheless sufficient indications of its existence
the festive character of the occasion and to make it tr
a formal and hollow ceremony. The President escorte
of the Secretary of the Treasury to the table and I ga
to Mrs. Donelson. The disposition of the others I hav<
but I will remember the care with which the arranger
parties was made. The general was as usual courteous
altho’ suffering much from bad health and more from n
at what was xoassing before his eyes. My young friend ;
for the entertainment summoned up spirits enough to ca
tion chiefly by glances, to the signs of the hour and fo
movements of our host, we left the table with the ladies
the company dispersed sooner than usual. I had intend
a few moments with the President after they were go:
perceived that the return he had received for all his i
old friendships and his unhesitating confrontal of ene
formation of the Cabinet which had just left him ha
his feelings, and commending him to his pillow I also toe
The display I had witnessed would have been sufficier
on my guard in respect to my own contemplated entertain
had been needed. But without such warning I understc
the motives which pointed to that occasion as one best a(
kind of semi-official notification of the rule by which i
associates intended to be governed, to fail of circumspe
movements. That they would decline my invitation I h^
but whether in so doing, they would only' assert and e:
own rights without offense to me, or whether they wouh
could only be known by the sequel. It was my busines
pared for either contingency.
According to the established forms of society in W:
would have been my office as host to give the highest ]
AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF MARTIH VAFT BUREH.
3
and I was not disposed to make the vacancy occasioned by that ev(
conspicuous by filling it with a lady of inferior rank.]^ But JVJ
Randolph, the widow of Gov. Thomas Mann Randolph, of Virgin
and the only surviving child of President Jefferson, in all respe
one of the worthiest women of America, was then residing
Washington, a lady with whom and with her family consisting of
unmarried daughter and of Mr. and Mrs. N. P. Trist, the latter a
her daughter, my relations were cordial and intimate. I waited uf
her in person, informed her of my intention to invite the Cabinet
dine with me and of my desire to combine with that official ce
mony an act of respect towards her which had been already too Ic
delayed and requested her to name the day if she was willing to
me the honor to attend.
She cheerfully agreed to my proposition, the day was fixed a
the invitation extended to all the members of her family. I n(
scarcely say at least to those acquainted with the ways of Wai
ington, that it would have been quite impossible to prevent t
proceeding on my part from becoming known without any agei
of hers to the other invited ‘guests who were thus, apprised of :
intention to give the precedence to Mrs. Randolph. As my dim
party was to be what in common parlance is called a ladies’ dim
I was desirous that there should be no lack of ladies and anticip
ing further declensions I invited several military gentlemen s
their wives, who all attended. I was obliged to omit my hig
esteemed and amiable friend the Commander in Chief,- beca
Mrs. M. (who was his second wife) had made herself — ^more
his amusement than annoyance, for he took such things lightl;
a conspicuous party to the war which raged around us; but I
member well the presence of the veterans, Hull and Chauncey £
of Commodore Warrington^ and of the wives of all three
were among the most agreeable as they were also the lead;
members of the society of Washington.
Never having been very careful or orderly in securing even
important papers and having especially exposed them by frequ
changes of residence to be lost or mislaid, it is a curious insta:
of the accidental escape of such trifles from destruction thai
have still in my possession the answers of the Secretary of
stances unnecessary to detail will deprive tiiem oi ^
Mr. Berrien presents his respects but pleads a co]
ment to leave the city ” for his own declension a:
health” for that of his daughter. According to
recollection Mr. Ingham^ accepted for himself, a
certainly declined. The other two members of th
Eaton and Mr. Barry 5^ brought apologies from
were faithful allies and who it appeared had also n
behind their batteries. Thus it resulted that at tb
dinner of the season to which all the ladies of i
members were invited not one of them assisted
being freed from any kind of embarrassment thei:
fined. Mrs. Eandolph especially manifested the ^
tion, to the satisfaction of all my guests who revei
as much as I did; to come quite up to that mark
intimate knowledge of her admirable qualities tb
joyed opportunities to acquire.
It may as well be said here as anywhere that
answers to my successive invitations, nor in their 2
ence with others nor in their excited appeals to i
which I have now taken the trouble to re-peruse, di<
and Berrien impute to me a blameable act or moi
these transactions, although the latter papers we
very excited feelings. These facts speak a langi
be misunderstood as to the sense in which they felt
1113^ whole demeanour in the affair now under co;
are more than sufficient to repel an}’’ unfavorabl
can be drawn from the introduction of a resolutii
a proverbially indecorous Senator — a resolution wh
cloned. Of Gov, Branch’s course I am not quite
the evening before my resignation and that of M
published, but when the facts were known, and
had himself resigned, the President and myself
attend the wedding of his daughter. He [Brancb
spoke of our resignations, acknowledged that he
somewhat annoyed but was now entirely reconciled
as the necessary result of causes which we could no
couraged me to hope that the whole matter woul
1 Jolm Brancti.
2 Samuel D. Ingham.
^ WiUiam T. Ba
® MS. Ill, p. 2C
Ari'<)Hin<n:A!*n V ov MAirnx vax lU'ftKNX
<|ui(*fly a> all tla* letter-; of io-naf 'kmi aial arrenf a fun* u'avc (lu‘ [
a 1‘iiiiit to I' roin that tlay to tli*‘ jaa* rut I [ia\a‘ na\t‘r
him sa\t‘ oiua* aiul for a ununmt. f hraiah frtmi timt‘ to tin
Iti; makiaix \ iolrnt -pna-hr- amun f me atni oihri'N hut I ta/vei
tliem nor luui I any <h‘-ire : me thtan. I ih‘rH‘ve(i him to 1
lume.sf man ami knew him to he in i»vnm'al inllnmeeh le. ju I
yameronx impnt.es, l)t}t tmuh* of inllammahh* matffial whieh
easily iptileh Im othere: imleetk hut a h‘U ija) after <au* mr
atn! (amversatnm referneil to 1 luaini that he hatl heeu thu ex
I ktnnv, fmwevinx flnit hn wantid uay and tlo wijat wa ; eiirlit
Ids' ftadinijfs wt*re -oheretl down, and in thi‘ t-our e of tiim^ Um'
rived ai that (‘ondition, lie ’■* eomfiiered ids pri'jmliei*'. '' apiin t 1
dmit da<‘k:o!u paid a hritd’ vi. it to the W'hife Hou r dnrin
t‘eond tmam when I raw him for a few moimmt' ami e\rh;
re peeifu! am! kind ralutafion , witli him. Major Homd>mp \
l>r«)tht‘r had married hi' daimhter, infonmd me afterward''
tin* tioveiamr hatl expri* eil to Idtii Uu* imn { ifn’at ioii lie had
i'ieiM‘»‘d in hein<x treated with so iimeh urhanity hy a man of \
lu‘ had .aid <) many liard tliin*!:.^ I heravtl the Majtn* to a
him that he need < \\r him elf no nnea ine on lliaf head he
1 had nevt*r read hi . pei*ehev and emiainly \oadd not tlm
« jo me’ < » now .
Hetenmmal to ^ro thro' witli tlie matter In haml, - far a < I
myself i-mii-^nmed, and to lia\e thme with if, I ; imt nut in\itr
shortly after ms C nhinet ilinner and after liad a eii
foi' a larm* r»\enino party. With smut' luodideat ion , mv <»f!iria!
i'iaii* . hehl to their pnoioti i’oiir e, and to athi fuel to the fla
etanmnaieat ion appeare«l in the new |eipet‘,
the 'urnaanre oi ‘*dar<pdn.' ( I ') rhare'ine' me witli a.ii a.ttem|
eoitjtmelion witli Sir ( 'liarles \hnmitam tie' HrtSi;dt Miid-fmx to
a p<‘r. on upon fla* oeiely id \\a..hmen»{i who wa . riof imlitltal
p!'i \ i lr;,n-. and isillmy upon thii. t‘ who had !»een in\ile«l tf> ri*net
tMiirare hy refm intr to h,* pri'rent. The rirele. <d’ Wheddupton
iwer i|uiti- naturally ileelimal t<* ht* ia.dniefed in tin* |*ri>priefie
iii*n*alit i<\s «d eneial int»-reoUi"-.e lo a *■* d’ari|tiiii *' and no parU" o
seasiiii wan atfemied nani* nnme.jMU'1y or enjovtsl more hdarioii
SnIlVriiie: at tin* time from ill lirald! and numii exlnm ti-d h
begged him to see lair play in my behaii and to .
repose.
I have described more particularly than they ^
deserve these two entertainments, but for a brief i
tained much consequence as incidents of a campaign
political and personal feuds were so mixed up tl
were more or less affected by every movement, and
looked forward to the arrangement of my parties
and the field for a general engagement. When they ^
found that they had not materially contributed to i
of hostilities, and I confess that I experienced all 1
naturally inspired by the consciousness of having p
thro’ an ordeal as difficult and as severe as could i
conspiracy of excited women and infuriated part
outbreak was not long delayed. At a ball given
Minister, Baron Krudener, in the absence of Mrs. I]
Eaton to supper, as ranking next to her, and Madar
wife of the Dutch Envoy, was assigned to the Se(
Madame Huygens was reported to have been hig^
the arrangement and to have declared that she wo
giving a party to which Mrs. Eaton should not be i
her example would be followed by Messrs. Ingha
Berrien. Major Eaton was a man of moderate intelk
but justly distinguished for the kindness, generosii
siveness of his disposition and demeanour. If he had
before his marriage which was imputed to him, as t
and sought to know nothing, he had also done all tl
do to remedy the evil and there was no reason ever
the life of the lady after marriage was not, in that
free from reproach. A reverend gentleman had
rumors to the President to the effect that her condr
ceptionable on a visit to the Northern cities. The
that his informer should go immediately and sift i
oughly, assuring him that if his report sustained t
facts no one would have reason to complain of hi
the matter. The mission was accepted, the Cabine
Eaton was called together in the evening to hear t
was found to amount to nothing.
A man of the temperament I have ascribed to E
under any circumstances, to have warm and symp^
The number in his case, was of course greatly incre
AUTOHHHniAPH V OK MAUTIN' VAN BITnEN"*
rniiairo at his (!i>j)(isal and hy tlio favour with whi(‘h ]w was re-
^rai-drd hy tin* P^l‘^idi'^^. ''Ilirsa prrsstal upon tlw lafltu* the Majoi‘'s
^ 0 'ii‘Vaurt‘s with luueh lainu*-! m*--. and tlu‘ir appt^als found favoi'ahle.
response's in !iis own hnar-f . 'riu‘ alleo'eal thrt'al of Maelanu' lluyvens
and the three parlitvs whieh eertainly followtal Avlu'lhei’ :du* a<aually
tluaaittuietl them or not su|>piii‘d ample and .stiri'inu; malei’ia! ; foi*
sueti etanplainhs. d1u‘ Presitiemt sent for me at an eairly houi* rau‘
mornin|.r ami I wi*nt to him ind’ena' hnaikfast. I foinul tiim d<*epiy
imntHl hy eommunieat ions that had heem macle to liim <m the prt*
vious (n'enin/i:. Iliseyes were Idood sh<»t and his a|>|a‘aramH‘ in other
respeets imlitaded tluit lu^ luul passed a shn'pUw- nijLrht, as he indeed
admittial lunl been littu’ally tiu' ease, !Ii^ was li(wve\er iuu'X<*ited in
manner. I'he storii's scj oftem tohl of liis vieeli'nt and furious styh^
on oeeasions <d‘ ^a’tad anm‘r or de't'p fe^elin^, so far as my ohst*rvation
t‘\fended, fiad no otht'r foundation than tliis t!iat< wlum iu‘ thou<^ht
he i'ouid in that way ht'sl iniluenet' anybody to do his eluty of
whieli I have ^dvem some instanee's ami shall i»:ive^ oth(*rs !a^ woidd
assume an <*nrnestm*ss and an emphasis mueh l>evoiul wlr,d 1 h‘ readly
felt, d't) nu‘ ht‘ aluay^. appeairetl mo>t ealm wlum lu‘ felt mo: t in
ten (dy. ( )n the iH‘ea>ion of his vt*ry narrow e rape fianu a a> ina
tion, at the fuiieral of Warrim Ih l)a\'is, I followed him to the W'ldte
I!oU:t\ imnieiliaf ely aftiu’ the ritt's of htirial were i'<melm!eii, and
ftjuml liim sitting with <»m' of Major l)<mel;(ufs t‘hihin*n on his lap
and eonvm’’inir with thaienil Seott, himself apparently the hais!
di, furl mm I pi»r on in tlie room,
I!<‘ |ireo‘nted, with dt*lihc*rat ion am! eltauaiess, tin* reasons wliieli
led him tc? ri'oanl the ftnManHlinijrs to whitdi I have referred as an
affaek uprm him t’lf de iifueil to he made ellVetual tliro' a eomhitia
tion between numiher - of hi- (’aliinet ami tin* wifi' id' om* nf tht'
Foreign .Miniders, and :.fattMt, in tht* s;ime inanniuA the eoursc^, whii’h
hi* thiHioht it Wiitdtl hiasina* hiiu ti> ptirsm*, whiidi wa if his vii*\vs
shisjhl pro\e tit ht* wtdl fiSindeil t<i diNtni-s; his own MiJiistiU’s anti
to M-Uii Mr. hi' pH.-.-jHirt-s.
I!i-,. imimsliate idjji*e| wn-. tti atteml in tlu' and to that im«l
hi* liiid MSit for nil* to c»htiiin my <aiunsi*l and <’ir operal ion. My per
sonat relations -wsdt r‘!ie\alii*r aiul Mailana* llnymms. WiU’e o»i' a
fritmdly am! imhaol intimati* ehara<’t«*r, I had no I’lot <m tn disiht
1
354
A M Ki: 1 ( 'A N U 1S1'( UU t ’ A 1 . ASSi H ‘I A TU » X .
As soon as I rt‘a<‘luMl my I infoi’intMi
1)V noit‘ that- I <k‘sinHl to him on lutsiiu's., ajal that ;
also 1 h‘ necossary to i'ommunioati*. with Madamt^ iluypn
oa!! at his house at a nauit'd hour, h'or !*t*a'^uns, nut n
he stated, tht\v antieipatet! tlu^ ohjtHd of my \isi| auil ei
with tlu‘.ir usual kimlness. Aftiu* dtHdifiiti^ tlieir iuvitai
pipt* and seliiedani, not wit list and inii: the appropriateiu'.'-
{)reliminaries to a Huteh iu‘i»'i>t iati<ui,‘' I statiu! exiilieitl
Pn^sideiit disclaimed all riuvlit or* de>in* to tnetltlle with I
rt‘lations or with (In* (jU(‘stiou of whom (law invitetl or '
omitte<l to invif(' to thoir house, hut tlial disdncat ions !u'
ti*il>u(e<l to Madamt* Iluytrons ami cfanmunitadeil to the
which wtmt hevond t h(M‘\(an*i'*e of t!ie rights uld«‘h Indonif'
and I descialHal the. imprt‘ssions whitdi the possilulity <
i’(‘(‘tn(*>s of his in format iim Inn! ma(le tpaju liis mind.
nuy,i!:ens assured me s<dtauuly that s!ie Imd nvvvv useil t
sions adi'ihutetl to Iu‘r or any <af similar import that sli
too eonneeled with diplomulie life, and understood
what htdoniifed to Inu' position, to nualdie in siudi matte!*
she had only piirsianl the path I <‘(me(*ded to her witlior
with others or trotihlin^ la*rse!f al^out tlu^ir eourse. Thi'
imihal iairiussfly in the \*iews sht‘ expiH\*;M‘d, and avowt‘
vietion of tlie. ae(*ura<\v of hei* I’eeoIIeet io!is, aiul my m
thns sat isfaetorily <’on(d!id(aL As wa* had no <!(‘sir(‘ to
enquiry further I reportisl tla^ !H‘-idt to tin* Pn‘si<lent wl
the infoniialion witli unatlVeted pleasan-e for lie sympat Iii*/
with t!u‘ respiM-t ami reii^ard I (mtm*taiiU‘d foi' the Ihite
and his est imahl<‘ family.
As tlu‘ mattiU’ in Siunt^ simse hoia* on our ladations with
(lovcnamumt I thoii^'ht- it <levirahlt‘ that I should posses;
ile!ie(‘ of tlu’ statemimt upon whieii I Innl |)nHaa‘ded, an
to th(’ Pr(‘sid{‘nt from whom I rt‘ct‘ivial immediatidy tin*
reply :
Kuom Tim FuiAsniKM*.
( Private. )
Mv I>KAU SUt
Yoiir noti^ was <»t' this axTiiiae, wlani I iiae fniapaa.w ;
as they have h'ft ine I hast* hastened to reply ‘l‘he ster\ is |
AUTOlUOliTvAPUY Ob^ MAIITIN" VAINT BUUEN.
3 !:
inrmhiM- of niy CabiiH't was to Ih' such an altai'k npnn ino, who Im
inviitHl this nuMnlHa* to ctuno into it, that it, an)\is(Ml Ihoir fivlinj^s and 11
(*(»iuniuni<*at ion was inadt‘ to nu*. 'riu* ihr(‘(^ parti(‘s that followotl, Ji^iven by (1
Utsids of 1 U‘partin(M)ts, wvrt' vvoll calculatt'd to aiv(^ cnMlil to the stoi
of a combination iu‘adt‘d by Madanu‘ II. to put. Major biaton and his land
out of stuMcay and thcia^by to assail my charnePa’ for inviiinjA' hhn into ii.
ar(‘ the tah‘s ami I am happy Madanu* II, has stattal they arc not (rut‘ as fi
as sla* is c(»nci‘rmMi. 77n‘.v is tJiv suhstanct".
Vi*s.
Aindrkw ,1a('KS0N.
.Ian’v 2Itji ISdO.
If. was probably on the following (lay—certaiiily before flie o7i
of (hat month, that- I had, at his iiistama', a eon bovnee with tl
Presidimt upon thi‘ subje(*t of (he relations betwanm him and tl
miMnlan's <d‘ his Caltinet and the elfet't n|)on them of Ute matde
iH'latial. Nothin^: was then done upon the subjeet, !)nt a year ar
a half lat(‘r and after the war had broken out l)e(.\vee.n him ai
tln^ portion of his (’abinei- with whose (‘our.se he had lanm olunuh'
tmd I had left- Wasiunirfon and w;ts awaitinn; the sailing of tl
paekid from New \'ork, [u‘ applied to nu‘. for my reeollta't ions oft!)
braneh of the o;eiun*aI suhj(‘et. 1 ndained a copy (d’ so imndi of n
l(dt(‘r as relat<*it to it, w!ii(‘h was lao'er publislual, l)ut will now I
at the pn^pin* plaetb Aeeordino- (o my (jj(»p riH'ollm'l ion
a|)pt*ars that in* showed nup at- that intervi(\w, a papen* eontai
in^ the. basis of a eomimmi<’at ion whitdi be int(*nd(‘d to a<ldi*e
to thosi* LnmthniHm and that 1 twpresstal the opinion that he did n
by it sidlieiently <i:uanl liimstdf against the imputation of (Mitc
^aininyf a desire* to e’onti'ol the domestit' and social intereoursi':
their families and aelviseal a personal interview witli them for whi
a pa|H*r more earefully const ru(‘ted mi<!:ht In*. prepart*d and sh(*i
to tlu*m in prefertmee to a. bnanal tv)rn‘spondeib‘(‘ ; (hat. lu*. d
(dairned any such intention or <lesire and a^^nuMl md- only to sii
a moditiratiem of tlie I>ap(‘r hut- also to tiu* stihst it ut io*i of a, [k
sonal inti’rview for a hdter. I addtal that smdi a. pai>er as I r<
ommimded may have Ihm*!! prt‘pan‘d by nu* on the spot from t
muti*rials hefon* nu*, to bt* copied by him ami rc*sc*rv(‘d foi* t
use* c’ontemplnted "the eotirse wlnedi I am quite {‘oidideiit. was p\
sued. He tluni informed me that he had held some* e<mve‘i-sati
on the sulqeet with (’oh lUtdiard M. Johnson who was ve‘ry de*siri<i
356 AMERIOAlSr HISTORICAL ASSOOIATIORT.
I begged the General, if he consented to his interfen
matter, to be careful that he should be fully possessed o
and suggested the propriety of reading to him, before
upon the business, the paper already prepared, and tha
acter in which he acted should also be clearly undersb
The Colonel had his conferences with Messrs. Ingh^
and Berrien, and the President his interview with thei
he spoke to them of the alleged combination and attem
Major Eaton from the Cabinet and I always suppos
shewed them the paper referred to, but whether he did
do this they were all satisfied that he did not claim any
as that which was described in it, and altho’ the princ
remained substantially on the footing on which it st
those gentlemen remained in the Cabinet a year and a ]
During that period the Eaton affair was eclipsed in
and soon divested of any agency in mischief or dist
tvo occurrences — ^Mr. Calhoun’s 'prmuncimiento and;,
or three months later, the resignations of Major Eatc
self, drawing after them the resignations of all the i
the Cabinet except Postmaster General Barry. The L
he adhered throughout to his friends, the Eatons, j
tenor of his way so unobtrusively and noiselessly as
offense to the other parties to the quarrel.
The outbreak between the President and the gentlem<
formed a part of his Cabinet assumed a very violent cha
I left Washington. Those who have the curiosity to Ic
matter will find that the dissolution of the Cabinet had
appearance, amicably accomplished. There was some ]
on the parts of the Secretaries of the Treasury and Navj
in their resignations, but in the end the correspondence,
imported a friendly settlement. All were to remain at
until their successors were appointed and their official bus
in the state in which they desii'ed to leave it. The resig
cept Mr. Berrien’s, who was absent till June, were in Aj
final retirement of the Cabinet was delayed until June,
single exception of a few enigmatical givings-out by the I
the Navy as to the existence of a “malign influence”
seemed to be froinjo* on to a favorable issue. The hones o
AUToBlOdUAPHV OK IVIARTIN VAIST
emulitiou of I loft ’WnshingtoiR but bad soarccdy n
own Stal(‘ wlwn the disease with whieh the Capital had ^
bonal bi'oke out afresh aiul with redoubled fury. It is ii
th^eriniiu‘ })nH‘isely who was most to blame for this new ou
is eeilain that the fault was not alto<>*ether on either side.
7\ It'tjr<tph newspaper, referred to the course juirsued b.y tl
of the three Cabinet Ministers towards the family of Ma
in an oil'ensive way. This was indefensible and provial
mischievous. The Major, (‘laiming to hohl those i>*entlem(
sense responsible for tlie <‘Ourse of the 7\7c<jmph in that m
lished an arti(‘le in the (tioixu obviously desi^ncil to
IIraiu‘h, who liad left the city, to a fi<>:ht. Eaton also
article from the Tvlvijmph^ in which the course said to
pursue<l by th(‘ir families was <lescribed tis that of the
tlunnselvi's, and sending ilu‘ extract to Messrs. Ingham an
(‘ailed upon tluun to avow or disavow its conlcmts. Ills
(‘Xtracts were in terms the same, and both admitted of no
striK'tion tlnui that. tlu‘ {)ro(‘(Malings were intended as [>
to a diud with eacli in ccu’t.ain evtmts. This was also w
had n(^ right to hold them responsible for tlu‘ publicati<
tion and tlu* assumption of sucdi a n'sponsibility was plai
t(m<‘e thro' which to revive with tluun, in anotluu* foian,
fi-om which 1 h‘ had sutlVred much and to which he saw ther
no <md, Mr. Ihn*rien answtuaal his noh^ on tlu^ l)asis of
as (‘xplained in an issue subs(aju(mt. to tlu‘ o!*iginal imbfu
by which its n{)plication was limitcal to the (‘om‘se of th(‘.
nuunbm*s of the (‘abiiad, disclaimed his n^sponsibility
t(U’ms, hut u isidy <h*cidtal (o mak(‘ a reply to tine Ma.j<J
gri<‘vanc(‘. He did this coolly atul admiraldy and in a
obligial Eaton, whose good natui*(‘ mntu* (mtirely desert
<mt(U- a noUv proHvtjui ns respecl(al the Attonu^y (ietieral, \
: light (‘st sa(‘rifice of chara<*ter or dignity on the part- of
Mr. Ingham, unhappily in a great rage, for which h
thought he luul abundant cause, adopted the exti*a<‘t \\\
givcm to it originally and as it was s(U!t to him, and rep
ton's dennand that the latter “ must be* not a litth‘ (hu'ang
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An'rcMUtuniAi’i IN' ok mak'I’in van iunikn.
ln<rh:uu'.s loiters to ('<>1- .loluron :in>l Mr. 1 nehaui ■ ist.'iiu'ni mailo
froiu notes taken at tin* time, .-poke ..f ilu’ ulijeei a .oiH---',| nuak
eiiino- interest to all.” 'I'hey ailirnie.l that (‘oi. Ji.hiiMiii canu* (.> i lean
as lYoin the Pn'sident ami repre-ent Itm hi v i>’u • ami ih.ii h.-
laainired. in his iK-half. that they .‘-Imuhl invite Mr . K.atoiMo ilieir
laro-e parties on pain of dismi.-sal. 'I’lnm (lemed tliaf ilie I’re ideal
l', ad shown them tlie paper .d’ whieh I Inive i-oken and vvlm h !,:.d
l)(>en Itron^-ht Ud'ore the pnhlii- hy Mr. lUair. mion liie antm-nlv
of the President, wlm vleelared then that he had iva.l it lu ihein m-
made them aniunitited with its eoutents. hnt Mr. P.errien tah d that
he did not (pu'stion the itth ntion id’ the Pre ident to have heiva
this paper to him nor his belief that he did so. and they admuted
that he had waivevl, in Mr. Pverrien’ . lanimapm. had imt "pre ed,
the requi.sition (d’ whieh they eharpM that I'ol. ,lohn e.n hml been the
liearer. but nnder.stood this a. :» ehanye <d' |.o itioti broii-dit alM.m.
throndi the intervention <d‘ hi-, 'rtaine- ee Iriend-..
( 'ol. .lohlison met t lur-e ehar.ire ■ and :talemeni by two leilet ad
dre.s.,ed to Messr.-.. Inp'ham and P>errieu. e[ ei I'at v , in leplv o, la.e
letters they had written before their appeal I., lb- p'e.Pe, 11;
letters were pidili-hed in the X.if'inmf ne>- p:iper: aiel
the bdlovviiiijc is a brief extract from ibat to .Mr. I’.err'en:
I Is
I
IH.AU Stu:
Vtnir favitr tM' IIm* Tfh in-mm Iimm rm.ri-»oy i ftp.! !!if j
sltHMi tiH* {«» s:0 llinl tip* wnnUi at t*'a t f ih.* ij. * it.t: i.-;> .a
Mrs. ibatau whaii uai lar-a* aii‘l 'aMa'ral parhp . H * K « ...i. • . ion
(liti, (linM’ily mr iiplirp«’n>» nr iuiauafr • urh an t.tf j..;. IK- .p
loriiUdi ma Itutf Ur hatl IntluatMl !»» K.-iinip tUai a part »•! !a . i ’.p. i ii •!
natpOMl inin a pt»iuhiUiit inn |i» tlrUn Maj. laitni, ir-an H. ii , i.mt
anti lii-^ faiuil.v f’rniu .pn*'h*f\ ; ihal tin Iiatl bnnii at ■» lni.»r!n»»l
si\t* part ip'-' tp whiali yntt alltnln s^as a liaL in tin* mliain ; Ifiaf • Uivl
hppll luinit* <‘VnU !l|H»n fnmir.n UiilUbtiT.n nxniuar Maj l.afnn frt.ia lli-lr par
fin.s; and .sin'Ii a nf thim^s raop tuin arrat f li-d i r-ia ; iltaf In* Uii- »l» i
niiinMi al all hazards to liao- tairiann.\ in Itis Oahiini. th* ttn*n rr.^4 p-d-r
('tadaininp' tlu' }»rlupi|di‘’d upnu uhh-h Im intniidrd fn fni. In r-ar, . .M'.n
witti ynu I rnlVrrfd In lids pappr. N‘n d..ald d nn\v in i Smf h dr.
(dalinpit all hiliitlinns, n-n llip part nf fta* th'poidnnt . tn rm ail.sn si .-Si'- ’ •
nnr wliatpvpr, Uip prlvafp <»r snalal hdnrpnur *• nf fhm iif-niio-r. .a h: . * ad
iiad. Asa annual frintld I paftiMl Ilpna ^nn. and n n ad,. -r, sr- mds-.a
360
AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION.
From Col. Johnson’s letter to Mr. Ingham I extract as
Blue Springs, Jul^j
Dear Sir —
Yours of the IGtli instant was this clay received, accompanied by
which, it seems, you have prepared for the public, purporting to contj
conversations, with the President and myself, relative to an allegat:
the public journals that General Jackson had authorized a member
to require of Messrs. Berrien, Branch, and yourself, and your famil
date with Major Eaton, and his family under the penalty of bein
from office. You refer to two articles in the Glohe to justify your a
public, previously to receiving my answer, in which it appeared th£
nied the above allegation, if it had any allusion to me. After the pi
this accusation against General Jackson, I received a letter from i
timating that I was the member of Congi’ess to whom allusion was
requested to know if I had ever made such a communication. In n
confined myself to the specific accusation thus publicly made agains
dent, and which is attributable to yourself, and most unequivocally
General Jackson ever made such a requisition through me, and as P'
nied having ever made such a statement to you. On the contrary I i
now repeat, I did inform you, in each and every interview that tli
disclaimed any right or intention to interfere in any manner whatei
regulation of your private or social intercourse.
Thus in a matter in which I was engaged to serve you, and ot
in a matter of a delicate and highly confidential nature, and in v
ceeded, unexpectedly I found myself presented in the public joi
witness impeaching one of those friends, and ascribing to him
which he never made; and placed in that attitude by you, self
self defence called upon me to correct that erroneous statement,
therefore, agree with you, that I did in any degree change my
subject in considering it improper in any of the parties to come
public without the opportunity of comparing our different r
But if you feel under any obligations of a personal or politico
to come before the public previously, you will find me as ready
to meet any responsibility or difficulty which such a course m
I now come to the material point in controversy — whether Ge
through me, required of you to invite Major Eaton and his fan:
large parties. This suggestion was made upon my own responsi
an anxious desire more effectually to reconcile the then existing
But Gen. Jackson never did make such a requisition, in any mi
ever, directly or indirectly, nor did I ever intimate to you that he
such a demand. The complaint made by Gen. Jackson against this
Cabinet was specific, that he had been informed, and was inducec
that they were using their influence to have Major Eaton and his
eluded from all respectable circles, for the purpose of degrading
thus drive him fi*om office; and that the attempt had been made
the foreign ministers, and in one case had produced the desired
proposed no mode of accommodation or satisfaction, but declared ex
if such was the fact he would dismiss them from office. He then
AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF MABTIU YAN BUEEFT. 3'
Such was the issue between the President and the three ex-Sec]
taries, and such were their respective allegations and proof,
was never pretended that the requisition referred to had ever be
made upon them by the President in person or thro’ any other cha
nel than Col. Johnson. In the only conversation they had had wi
him upon the subject, seventeen months before they resigned, th
say he did not press it — ^he says he disclaimed it in the most n
equivocal terms. Col. Johnson’s statement is the only evidence tli
was introduced and notwithstanding the formality and confidei
with which this grave accusation had been brought forward a;
the zeal with which it was supported by the entire opposition of t
Country, the public judgment was so clear and so decided that
the General’s canvass for re-election, which took place the ve
next year, when everything else was raked up, it was never alluded
A few words more in respect to myself. Wliilst at New York a:
on the eve of sailing for England I received a letter from the Pre
dent inquiring as to my recollections upon this branch of the genei
subject, which I gave him in a letter, dated August lith, 18e31, t
whole of which together with the letter to which it was a reply, w
be found in the Correspondence.^
My statement was never published as the President, I was hap
to find, adopted the advice I gave him.
The following extract embraces what relates to the present math
I will in the first place answer your queries in regard to the interview
tween Messrs. Ingham, Branch & Berrien & yourself upon the subject of tli
course towards Mr. & Mrs. Eaton. Neither with those gentlemen, nor w
Colonel Johnson have I had any conversation, confidential or otherwise, ii]
that subject. I recollect your sending for me one morning & that when I
rived I found you sensibly affected by an impression which liad been mj
upon your mind that Messrs. Ingham, Branch & Berrien were taking measu
in concert to exclude Mrs. Eaton from the society of Washington. You sta
to me in a general way the grounds upon which that impression was found
referring to several successive parties which had been given by those gen
men, & to information which had been given to you by others without wa
ing them, and declared that you felt it to be your duty & had made up y<
mind to interfere in a prompt & efficacious manner 8c put an end to the j:
ceedings of which you complained. You then shewed me a paper which,
cording to my recollections, was in the form of a letter addressed to th
gentlemen, expressive of your views & feelings on the subject.
AM I'MUW S 11 iSTnUlc Wl, \>>i m 'i \ f1* iS‘,
;^G 2
lo yolir \vish(‘s, .-iih! uiKitM* lliat I lu ..r i. ti |.> >..ii fl,.* n?.
ht'iii.u;' nUtVU'i'tfH'r (‘\plifit U|i<in {{i,'i( pninf. \ mu nii.'.*.;: ,
A: t*\jir{‘ssri} a rratliucNS >.«» to tiif I'.tpor . ii» il. ,
ini (‘III ion. aiiil lo (*i»n!int‘ y<tni’ OHinphn!;? lo {»'*■!); i > ‘ o; .
on llu* paia of ihosi* uontloinon to oun't lln* nl.irti p!, . •
(‘oinluol wiiioh yon n*aanlt‘rl n-M nnl) unjn i l<»\v.ir'i Mi', ’■ , I'
as hoina’ a <iirt‘oi atlaok uiM>n \onr t‘li loj' rnin ifoiin; sn < , hio»
man towards who^ii' family -nclj '.lop-; h. drriij. d /m i,:.-. i: ,
lo lliat td'lVoi U(‘r«' int rodU(’(‘d ni iho p.ip'-i' wfoili v.no I ih-i!/], n‘
prt'Vonl nusappn*itonsi<ms u il h r< f ord to umu* \ . h j n;> iii.pr'
I took tin* fuiahor iiliort.^ of in .-o .5 in;: io ‘..*0 fho pr<'p!'ni> mJ .of. .j
p(‘rs«mal intors low A a frank vk * ona;i):f .;.«u ,*] .mpi
pr('for«‘nn*‘ lo a formal corn pi-nooiM o up' m li.,- anorri, .iddf .ii
in ilial caNC also haw* iho fj-ound'. >ou inirn*l»'d to i.tko pi'-wM
wrilin.a, tlml tlau’c mialii ko irs . room f^ir 1.0 .ipprclicn aou upon .1 p^,!
Wo holh ri*f,ard(*<! as om* <it' areal d« Ucac\.
1 Icl'l \otl. accordiUf; to m> ko-a i-oi-oUort ImM, cdiitu' p«* d. ■ |.
leas! sironal.v iiadincd !»» adopt that c-uir Is s. ■ k'- s i t p
(Iniwn up w lsiKi I wao widi um y tPat j,!. of .-is ,p . -i, a* o n- O '
>onr dct'ia ral ion;^ a - P* uh.d >t*u lut'f.dod so , i.of a, 0- oi-,.:
as T havt‘ slated. Sima* that lii.o* I kaio iitti ■ .-ji t?.- p :
havi‘ I, m> dear Sir, t ho spppP- I rec..li.-t': iou if,;- i? uk
afl(*rwanis made imdtor of oh .au.oi.-n !.t‘*'o » !i ti P , r,,
MtptH»'.;c that raich ma\ ha\«- hcon i*,..- c.r,o, i k,.;*, h. :,.,.' vn d
the r(‘rcipl iff \our loltor, thoiir.hs tauch noo;. po uk,.-!
miitd an^ndiia' Ikat pa- fod hofutru n in n, ;.! n. oa.r : i
Mf''. .r>. Imdiam Pranch y Ik-iia'n, .nt.-r h laio p . !;
ho tliaf you infonin-d mo i*f uhal hn.d ts-an .pind .n :r ■..•a k
coriainl> o.s<’a{»od np\ rocolloctjon ; and la;. Pfin-f p taai ti »• f.i,ona i
\on hoped, filially d:-. po: od oj^ y mihi.-t.. » ! h> a ^.i.k, \p;o’k ;,oa p.ii,
manif(‘stcd,
Its*! to
fu'o- : fho -o norai ulfsoot ui;i
H-. r : .,ai •
k> ‘d.
.vou tin mall f
it ho .1
to d7’t»]i il alto: a.-r.
I do n.o{ j
» rot to' id
io ho a*'( Ui'ido a . it) ora ^ I
■ nl k.ka
■:,o l!
to the uh
aUt’o o'l
U fiat 1 It,. 1. 0 ! ,n« ■ p i •]
1 'a' f ^ ■
.dr,..
for-mfion foino lidu:^-. A that 1 am ml i;d.,-u Oi .;k.T’ ; y so ^ > • ? .■
of puhlio dulso'. in uhh’h I ua--^ tlo-o ■? Vioip.l i..
\Vi‘r(* .‘-o ; futf I :*i\o il fti ‘>1 ou a ■ I fja'.o it o-ia s .a ttoP. ii< >-,1
ronfu'-od maiitior in uho'h d 1 .i.*i o, y wkirh t-n riia. a ;> so.- and*
I wrifo romifS’ aliiio- i mna ^ oalak'o.
1 Mh' Word more npou thi^ --ukk-t-t. 'Ph.- io, >io!' or ii •
S'damld fit»i ; uffor yout'vel? i.t ho dr.'if.u jijt. a la n^p'-.' > on-.,-,,
it Is infonso A uui\tr‘.ai. d'fjo.^ ro. o-p n n:o. ;an -n;,.,,. . k .
tmoallod for hy aiiMidin; lhat hf : nonoar.-d 'I?-- n,a..- a., •/.
can whli nroprio{\ nuou tho 'hl.-o* v. lao i..,! , .s.,,. .
and emphatic manner of any such act or design. Can a reasonable & enlight-
ened community require more? I think not.
The sequel of Major Eaton’s career presented an instructive com-
mentary on the past and fully justified the opinion I had formed in
regard to the effect of my resignation in commending him to the
favor of those by whom he and liis had been so unsparingly con-
demned. His lax political notions, for they could scarcely ever be
said to have risen to the dignity of opinions, with his easy dis-
positions in respect to most things, were well calculated to expose
him to the sinister intrigues of a class of habitual hangers-on at
the seat of Grovernment, whose business it is to practice upon the
credulity of public functionaries and to serve, in their way, an
administration or a party which will countenance, patronize or em-
ploy them; of course they prefer the party which uses the most
money and which is most tolerant of politicians of easy virtue.
When the Democratic party is in power and its representative at
the head of the government is a democrat in fact as well as in
name, acting always in the sphit of its simple, just and abstemious
precepts that the world is governed too much, and that the benefits
and burdens of ® necessary Government should be distributed
equally and impartially, doctrines favored by fanners and me-
chanics, who constitute a vast majority of the party, — ^when he
duly appreciates his proud position as the Chief Magistrate of a
Government founded on public virtue, whose duty it is to suppress
indirections of every description, a wall of separation has always
stood between this class and the administration. Such was em-
phatically the case at the time of which we are speaking. Presi-
dent Jackson’s well understood principles and the struggle in which
he was engaged with the Bank and with other selfish and corrupt
interests in the Country served to range that political brother-
hood unanimously on the side of the opposition to his administra-
tion. Their attention was forthwith directed towards Major Eaton,
backed by the arts and appliances which they so well understand, to
seduce him from the relations in which he had before stood towards
his party and friends. Their first movement in this direction was
to cause him to be appointed President of the Ohio and Chesapeake
Canal Company. This appointment was the more easily obtained
in consequence of the desire of the Company to obtain assistance
from the Federal Government and their hope of deriving increased
facilities to that end by the installation of a personal friend of the
President at the head of their board of directors. But the ground
AMF.nU'AN mS'l’olMt ’AL ASSi U 'I A TinNA
canir in ! hn an iniUiovahln |H).-iii(»n ujHtn tin* <
nir all oxpi‘cial ions of tliaf nafnia*.
Major lAalt>n was not a man of Ini imv in any tlfpatnnoii
({iialitii's m'itluT of hi.- ho:nl nor of hi.- laan’l v.rTr . ia*h a
value* t(^ his suiHTintomlrnrt* of a miitMa'ii hko iliaf uliioh h:
commit t(‘(l to his<‘harp‘. Another phna* wa ih.Tciori* uiiifiil
his frii'inls ticw and old. The extremt* . yinjaithy at iaa* linn'
hi.N position and fate and in tlto e <d’ lii - tainilv l>y (haunad ,
hatl <lonhtli‘ss lu*cn ettn>id<*rah{^\ ueak< ned, !»ii{ the uane td I
tun{‘s was a -utlieienl niollte wltli (lie iiei:icra! to !>efrien<l lu
hia without luv itatiom noudnated Maton to the Senate !<»r the ?
()io\i‘rnor td' h'lorida : and that htnly, in uhieh the* o|jpi: iti
them a majority of ten the ante \\hi<’li n‘jee{»*d the itomitta
tlu* aei'omplished aiiei upright ‘I’ani*), a Ser*retar\ «d' the Ti
by a \ot{‘ of :,fs to is, ami that <d‘ Aitdrew >tewn on» a Min
I’hiii'iand, promptly ami v\ithont di\i ion e«mluined {hr* iiMut:
W’a.’- it jio-'-ihlc that mmt lemt*{i whti ineriadv lliMnjSnf Mp ^
unfit lor t hi* soeit*ty of Wa •hinoton eouhl di-em it pioprr o» pi
at the heatl (d* that id' one td* oiu' teridloi'ie eertaiid) fiot tl
[jol i dii'il or m< u’al of our eomumnit ie ! dd\ o ya-a r, a ft eim a rt I
nanu* is apndii : t*n{ to the* Senatt* to I'eju'e ent ihe ( oiinir\ ah
Knvoy laxt raonltnarv Minider 1 deniptUenlia ly ai !li»* i ‘
Spain an<l in I hi» eiiadio (d' Madrid ami ap’ain eontiinied hi fl
ati', u ilhotii a di\ i di»n a S<‘nah* of \\ hieh M«* r ,i l.i \S ;dh.
'Wide ti*!* Wi*ri* im‘mlH‘r ■. .\r** {ad the ,« .' irilviri!/ eon jiMaa ai it
Mu* hill* anrl <‘{’y that ua rai (*d rtpain t {hi i'fUph- t!i«
Ihe supposed fa viU’iti'.-of t h*n. d aeh » an and . li p» - f.-d of fa ita
cdt‘\at!(m to (hi* Pri idi'iii'V, w Im r lau* it ua after all io h
brunt <d‘ t heir ho. t ility f
I fonml Major Kaftm in p(» t* ' ion <d fla* Sfsanl h Mi itai
hi'eaim* I*ri*S{di*nt , in Is:d', ami i-tueJudi un: thal {lie infrrrA.
(’iuinfry mirrht In* proinoteil hy a ehan*n* 1 derhh-d to ir.-all
IS:> ■, hut, ills irin^ tippiu* If . uni*\e.*pnon:ihle a {'orni i»mh‘* p
itip:a.. porsililt* 1 ilire.'tfd ilu' ^eta-e! a.p-.. of ."^talr to frpl;, io ai
.••'A\i*ri*d applii’at iim bu’ lea \ *• fo rrt urn hy fhii-.n;,: ih** p^-rm; 'a e
for, ami hy riM|Ue- 1 irrn' tin* Mini !t*r !•» fi\ fhr pi-r’.od iwam ii
AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF MARTIK VAH BUREN".
and that he had neither the right nor the disposition to complair
the steps I had taken to that end — ^whether they should be conside
a recall or permission to return on his own application. But he 1
he said, suffered a grievance of no ordinary character of which he '
good reason to complain. An order had issued, as he stated, from
State Department, purporting to be by my direction, by wdiich
had been deprived of the right always enjoyed by our Ministers
draw at their discretion upon our bankers at London, without s
cific authority from the Department, for any sums to which t
believed themselves entitled from the Government, subject to a set
ment of their accounts under its authority. Of this he cdmplai
that he had been suddenly deprived, by which a stigma had I
attached to his credit, and thro’ which he might have been expc
to serious embarrassments. I admitted that the order had been iss
by my direction — ^that its necessity had been shown by the fact i
one of his predecessors, who was named to him, had overdrawn
account to an extent which would make a suit at law necessarj
recover, the excess, — that the order was general and equally ap
cable to all our Ministers abroad, and I insisted that it was prope
itself as their convenience could be easily provided for by season
applications to the Department of State, and that the only fault
the omission on the part of Mr. Forsyth to apprise him that the oi
was a general one founded on general principles and not on any
trust of him, and that the necessity of its observance had been poii
out by experience.
With these explanations and accompanying assurances of
entire confidence in his integrity he seemed satisfied. I have do
less seen him since (altho’ I have no recollection of the occasi
but I have never conversed with him, with this exception, or ^
Mrs. Eaton, since their return from Spain. His tendency politic
had been for many years in the direction of the opposition, ;
whose ranks he gradually fell, and his new associations led to
and declarations on his part which entirely alienated from '
the friendship of Gen. Jackson, who silently closed the trou
some relations that had existed between them by turning to
wall the face of his portrait, which hung in the drawing roon
the Hermitage.
(11 \rri i: \\\ ii
I'hr fnllnuifiiX illili* >uii' » lii‘ f 5 i '' '
)n \\*<HlriP ila\ la l ,i at* ■ i p? - '
in t !in I t>( IJrjn* rnin ; “ . , ;*■ I .. ^
wliich ran rlnn.; /. ,*
// /V'f //, )t t't f t'tt s pttt'ti > /f’. ■ ^ f I ■■ .
( . i /*/'» w7* n '' f-'/:>‘/ I . • f
(hi of "h<' t^f : . A
i oh;o> f ti' J//‘. '-A^- -■ • ' ^ .
«>L‘! Jf’ft/i ''■/ " ■'»' f h -.1 ~ ■' ' i{‘‘J 1. ^'h ' ! ', ;
llin quarn*l whirh lauLr tun in 1' 1 i- i \ i.
(’raui’ni’tl an«| otlnn*' and u!ts«a! |n<*nn>'> n .nn-ijd*
in tlit* pnitlin mini!.
PrnftA Ui'*' In .i.n na..nl\ t.n T,. .j,. i. n . .. , \1 <
in\tib‘ti {hr j»rt •{»•»'{ it ai m}’ 'm r.i!; i ’ i , i’ > t* .
at «* , anani I thr fnjn ' ifr ' P.^-h . . i, n- a *
IIh* iuifaMt'hin^nit hv ih«- idrtif i* «.?; *n :, -:P,
tli<‘ {no. { impuiaatn n.i; ..! a ’.if, 1 , !•
<ail!ni| (‘(.j' tlnnr innli’-nan! ria thninn -.n ' f n'*’
tonlv t(» ia\ ha!‘fan*l h.* .lui linl • h» ■■ . i f
tint! in WhUiauj 11. t 'ran .nn-l }
nliit'li In* t’fnnar'd.-.l a a p ni •»!' f •• un- . !.i.‘ in
ua.^ in t^-rin f\.*lnd'’d fi-m j,i. ,;nc:n * P n,-,; j . ^ ■ u .
au«I M?’. ( ’ran loj-.r. atnnan, { In P hi-.*- '
<»ll annitiiin oj* hi-, Uii f.nlanr .Hr! |Pjv ■
tii^nv ni orrou (hrui m anr-n'. i . hI' i r
hv Mf*. (’athonii a. “a jiohijral r. nHr \ , r: ■«, a, ,. a '
that h(‘ Mirn, dat'k tan htaihl in- fir- m; iinnr-ni. j.n-]
Iannis flir virtinn Inn In --hah Mi*' f.'i,! irt-n *-a .
cnahMl hy aU aiifnl naa cnH-ni /’ anH ir-fh i in = - s .P
tlirnrt hi ^ iHa-an* t rr mnnioin .
1 In* j’ral arii-r thn ■■.|Hilv<'n of '.’i .a>- irn '
urrn pr<*--ninrr| t*f ihr { {"an- ;n-i i*.ii ■ rt Jini ■.P;i, i n* - 1 . . f ,i,
af a j i i int I'ln Ird to Ira % r lit »iir , { hai Ir* i I'V i i - . f t . , i-
priin-j'pal “art.n-'' n It Imi a* fh»- 'uriunlu-il f. n v.. I
plot had hr-ai »!.■', i .■»!.
^ ^ ^ t n ^ ahH r f f hr f .!;Ui 'ti ! P ns r. L rh ! i , = . ,
w
\r‘f!HU»n;ilAPin nl' MAUTIX VAX !U !:KN.
.lark ttn an<l Mr. ( allaMin a,-, to what Mr. ('alia
ri>iu>i‘ in rtsiuni tu tin* thaua'ah in Mr. Monrnr's (’ai^iiun, riailly
aiul whrtlirr it wa’> junifiahir or of !irta\ i -v, wri't* tli tai-oah in
in {!it‘ lifi‘ tinu* nf iht‘ partirn In hi • la t Irtna* tu Mr, (’alhuu
thr rtjri'r-puutlrtiri* luav rth’rrnai tu, thi‘ tiriirral >ai«L In y<nii
Mr. Crawfurd'-- di^pntr 1 ha\t‘ nu inhn'r-t uliaftwrr, hni it
lirr«ant* iuhhv siry lu‘roaftrr, wlirn I shall hau‘ niui'r lt*i ui\* atr
durmurniv. ai haiuh tn plant* tlu' - tihjrrt in if:, prupta* liirhi, iu i
tht‘ lusturinal funts aiul rrh'nnirtss in y^nir ruiiinninirat iun, v
will ijjivi* a very tii(lVrt‘nt vii*w tti thr snhjrrt " ‘ • riuhn’s
tnir ytnt n<nv tu) furtlu*r tainuunnirniinn with you is lana* asiry."
hdt hthiind him an '■* rxpu*' it i<JU " <ii tin* w huln ailaiix a duiaimr
rtmsidt'rahlr Irnyth ami ip’tad pnwmx wlutdi, with a lu'it*!' -lah-
<d' tin* rir’viunManrrs undt*r whirh it is thrrr pithlirdital, will hv I
in /h uUhi » / fi ) f '//'s 1 M ^’x vuh I , p. It’r. t. ,\fy own ra>t* : '
npun a diliVrmt futttinir. I’lit* “( ard" pnldi, hrd hy im* a iVw
after tlu‘ alh'narama* (d‘ Mr. (’allnam's a]>|H‘al i tin* unly pnhlii’
frum lur uptm thr .nhj»M*t hri'rtuforr; pur idny in that in-tattr
r«*ur i* uhii*h I lrn«- alwaw. prrfrtavii, that uf hvun* duwn rahn
nn npjMtrftal hv pruuf, in trad uf altrnilHinn (u \*.i“itr thtnn <
Althu’ nuf aware that I haux iipun the wln^lr, ntfta'rtl Ircan il :
Imn un that urra ion, il i->, <d ruur r, palpahlr that a : krt«*h <
ilfr wouhl hr IU«’uluph-lr if it inrhrhd lln Unn’r rVtrmlrd nut
a r-aihjrrt <ai whirh I wa: widely and \iuh‘ntly a ailed than I
to !ak<‘ uf It when the phi’eu .y and pr>*indire «»f tla* huiir
n u fa \ ui ahle to it; eamlnl and di pa lunate <*xauniiai nni.
I pa l*v tlie hiter ftann Mr. < ’raw furd i»< Mia iialeli * uf tin
| )e.’emhr}x advi' iiu*' 4ipjiu'-.it iuii tu Mr. (‘alliuuid'. tdtaii
\ ire l*re ideiit, a- ulelv inttaided to hrinn into \ iew tlie fuel
Mr. t Aiufneienn and liiv elf, in unr tri[> tu tin* >unlh, in tlie a
<»f that \ear. vi it»‘d Mr. rrawford at hi. hume in tieur<*"i:i.
leffer Wa- eerfainlv mn ne4*e ary tu e, tahli h flie fuel that 1
reiatiuii then e.\i' fi*d hrtweeii raihuun and C'rawfurth fur tha
a nm!fi‘r known to tin* whole i’uunt ry ami tMimdly notur^iou . we
elFort:'.; of the latter to pre\ rUt thr.aipport uf tla* fiOauer on the
firkt*! with Iftan .faekvon: :-lilt li- . 4‘onld il he of ii o to iini
lur ill C ’rn W' fuFc . opp<i itifiu tu CAlhunn, a my ol him
.. t 4 .. .. . . a t* t - f 1- I fW , u’ 1. 1
368
AMEEICAlSr HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION.
is treated as a man hors de eovibat. But to make me cl
sible for all the grievances complained of, for what was
by Mr. Crawford, who is brought forward as the first, i
principal actor in the drama, as by all the minor pei
visit to him, at that time, at his remote residence in G
circumstance too portentous to be overlooked in the prep
impeachment which was, of necessity, to be made o:
patches. Eecollecting the fact of his opposing the su
Calhoun at that time, I have referred to Mr. Crawford
find one, which if not necessary for any other purpo;
that I held the same language to Mr. Calhoun’s enemi<
and South Carolina that I held at home. In this lette
21st, 1827, a week after his letter to Balch, he says:
you left Gen. Williams — (Gen. David E. Williams, of
lina, one of the most distinguished men of that State,
and consistent opponent of Mr. Calhoun,) — ^last spring
letter from him thanking me for my supposed influence
him the pleasure of a visit from you. In that letter
much pleasure with the visit, but he expressed regret
peared to him disposed to let Mr. Calhoun remain in his
tion.” Of that, not disposition only but determination,
lated to my own action, Mr. Crawford was himself a
and definitely infonned by me in reply to a letter fror
me to support Mr. Macon, of North Carolina.
The following narrative will, I think, present a faij
remainder of the case upon which Mr. Calhoun predica
charges. In respect to facts there is little room for mif
are principally derived from original papers published
for motives we must rely on the declarations of the par
natural inferences from acknowledged facts.
James A. Hamilton, Esq. of New York, at the time
and political friend, was appointed by the Tammany g
the Delegates to represent that Society at the celeb]
Eighth of January in New Orleans, at which Gen. Jack
present. He accompanied the General and his suite to '
informs us that on their way down there was much
among them in respect to the charges which had been
.\fTiiIUiHn:,\l’ll V nK MAUTIN VAN iirKKX.
ford 111’ fithi'r was askial by Majnr Lewis nr lie otlVnal (o asi'er
truly what pa-stal iii the (’abitn't mi tlie lu'rasiuii and upon llu’ p
rtdVrred In. and In iiifurui him iLewi-) nf the result. Tlie mut
fur tills slap, he says, were to enal'le llie ( leiieral's friends to r
the attaek if made. “but. aliove all, if pussible, m prndiiee a pei
reeoneiliatimi between (hose pmtlemen (daekson and ('rawford)
their friends."
l’’indiii<i; it ineonvenient, on reaehinji: (>('or;Llia, to visit Mr. ('i
ford, li(‘ wroti' to \fr. Foi-syfh. nskiujL' him to obtain the desired ir
mut ion and to send it to him at New ^ ork. He kept no eopiy ol
letter, but it was subsequently protliieeil ami published by Mr.
svth. .\s this was the opeiiintc movement in the siip[iosed eonspi
it. lie erve- a more pariieidar notiee. .\fler meiitioniniL' his intei
t(. lane paiii Mr. Crawford a visit and his reffn't at not having
able to do .-o, he said:
I wl'.h yoH vvtMilt! :i t’tMiiilu from him ;ui(l ctMiimtinicah* tn ma irhrtht‘
M/ , m 7 |/ /«»;• ttrn stint} or ^itn. tnis t rcr iircs
(L't t! fnf itit (Irl iht '} ft i n >}i ttf 1/ r, MtiH-ttt ** ^ uhiiitt. I mulcj-itaiH
yintihtiid luhc was n tHcmhm’ itf tin* rnhi’{H*t i m hi : .:ii pins corn
(Jirc iia 1 ;; fi'fcii l!iaf fo haw‘h«‘*‘ti the fuct. I waul iIh' luforntHt iou, i
|»f li 0(1, till! In onlor that I m:i> in Ihc ouait of a jmhlii'at tt»ii, which
cuuir from a hich i[i}Hricr, Liiow wlan'c !»> looK lop luftH'Umt inu uU th*; mi
iU' .'(Hir 4- uofh’iii:* uouitl ho {.ulhi hnal wiliioul the coic t-nt of Mr. (*ra
aiat \oi}r‘*clf.
^riii a way llm whuh* Inttnr.
Nti turn ih»n wur n k«ni in rri^nril t<» ^vlut^ Mr, ( rtiwfnrtl hml
<»r uhat Mr. (’uIImhhi IkmI iltnu* uihl rmn** whifh \va ralculaft
ilrau t»H( a c»tiu|»ari nn Itotuanat flmir rn pretnr net .. !l v
imf tia\t‘ ttcrii an na \ inatt**r. it trikr- U\i\ t<i Imvv fraua**! a
whinli uniilil, <»n it ha\n Inaai nmrt* in haruHiny with a
fuif' I )!'t c'> cent 1' »n th«‘ jJiaitiv-Mai nltjccf n| tin* ciniuir}, ^i/’ t
a!»lr tin* frirnt!-. t»f < hai. Ja.rkM>n tn r»*|H*l an altUi'k nn him h^^
StHilltarh rlia rr**! niy that hr Innl ■ tianl in thr altitmlt^ tlr-rnln*
ftHH* Mr. Mfmror'-- (’ahinrt untl Innl tnanu prrhap , .sntlrnal tu r
th,rn.’ ihr foriH*anim'r of it'- nirmlnaM. Mr. Haiiiiltnn tunk \Va,.
ftin mi hi> W'iiy Irmir :Uhl -Maih fur u. day c»r iwu at tin* .Minm
with Mr, ( nlhomu and hrinw an.xiom.. tt» uhfain tin* ‘lui'um
!n* hat! Ihn fur fuilml to p‘t from Mr. t’rawhnah hr ivpiir I
370
AMERICAlSr HISTOEICAL ASSOCIATIOl^r.
regarded as confidential lie said that he did not. Mr,
says that at that time he had not the slightest knowk
course Mr. Calhoun had considered it his duty to pin
Cabinet on the occasion referred to, and that his imp]
ceived from the conversations of which he had spoken
Mr. Calhoun had been in favor of, and Mr. Crawford
Gen. Jackson. The perfect similarity in substance, and
the question put to Mr. Calhoun to that proposed to Mr.
through Mr. Forsyth, cannot fail to be perceived.
Hamilton left Washingion on the following morning
19th of February, 1828, being the second day after his
New York, he wrote a letter to Major Lewis of which th
was given as an extract — the letter having been tenderec
called for or produced :
“I did not see Mr. Crawford, as I intended to do,
residence was seventy miles out of my way ; but the Vic
(Mr. Calhoun), who, you know, was the member of t
best acquainted with the subject, told me Gen. Jackson’s
never thought of, much less discussed.” To this letter
a reply from Major Lewis in wdiich he said — regrt
did not see Mr. Crawford. I was desirous you should s
converse with him on the subject of his former misunc
with the General. I have every reason to believe that tl
tion given to you by Calhoun is correct, for Mr. Mom
me, nearly nine years ago, such was the fact. It follow
Mr. Crawford must have been vilely slandered by those
ject was to fan a flame their interest required should
tinguished.” All still in harmony with the professed ob,
enquiry, viz ; to be able to repel the charge referred to, if
to conciliate still further the friends of Mr. Cravzford '
they were most numerous, in Virginia, North and Sout
and New York, had already taken ground in favor of Ge
Believing that the information might become useful a-
V7here almost every day produced a new charge against t
Hamilton, on the 25th of Februarj^, wrote to Mr. Calhc
forth what had passed at their interview, as have air
it, telling him that he was thus paHicular in seeking to
AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF MARTUsT YAI^I BUREH.
3 ^
ford had been a few hours on the previous day at Milledgeville, t
place of Mr. Forsyth’s residence, that he had conversed with hi
on the subject referred to in Hamilton’s letter, and was authorize
to say — that at a meeting of Mr. Monroe’s Cabinet to discuss t:
course to be pursued towards Spain, in consequence of Gen. Jac
son’s proceedings in Florida during the Seminole War, Mr. Calhoii
the Secretary of the War Department, submitted to and urged up^
the President the propriety of arresting and trying Gen. Jackso
that Mr. Calhoun had previously communicated to Mr. Crawfo
his intention to p)resent the question to Mr. Monroe; an intenti-
Mr. Crawford approved ” (Mr. Crawford subsequently correct
this statement hy saying that Mr. Forsyth had misunderstood him
that Mr. Calhoun’s proposition in the Cabinet was that Gen. Jacks
should be punished in some form or reprimanded in some for;
he was not positively certain which : as Mr. Calhoun did not propc
to arrest Gen. J ackson he felt confident that he could not have ma
use of that expression in his conversation with Mr. Forsyth.
After the receipt of Mr. Forsyth’s letter he (Hamilton) receiv
Mr. Calhoun’s reply to his letter of the 25th of February. T1
reply was dated March 29th and said that as Mr. Hamilton h
not, at the time of their interview, stated the object of his enqui
he had supposed it was designed only to meet mere general rumo
falsely put out to influence the result of the Presidential electio
that his answer had been predicated on such an assumption, ^
intended to meet assertions unsupported by any name in the sai
general manner without name and to be limited, even with tl:
view, to a denial of what was falsely stated to have occurred on tl
occasion, Mr. Calhoun then repeated Hamilton’s object as stat
in his letter of the 25th of February, and said that he had, unc
that aspect of the subject, deliberately considered how far he cou
with propriety, speak of the proceedings of the Cabinet at all a;
had come to the conclusion that a duty of a very high and delici
character imposed silence upon him; that entertaining such vie
he declined the introduction of his name in any shape as cc
nected with what passed in the Cabinet on the occasion referred
To this Hamilton answered on the 10th of March, that Mr. C
hoiin’s reasoning as to the confidence which ought to be observ
372 AM: r,:-
if :Ui iitiark “11 < r ' , 3 ■ ,
I H I"!*! k nt‘ i M r. < a ; ; '
froiii wliirlt i( a ■
(‘Unhk' itiii; 1“ :? ■* ? i a ' i ^
alhi t'« l.iUi' , • a
l?i P -i; i. ■ a :
i’aif hat ht' ' i: . a . . ’ “ '
aial li“iiU , 1 .
tin* h M.M‘> li, I h r* '
M‘ir at !ihr?1 \ •); ■ S* V :
Mi\ i allatnii' i» i baa b , -f ^ .
< li'bla i“» I 1 1 » I M' i 1 ; ■ . ■ ' ■ a
r*‘UU!!iUjii’al' ‘i b ■ . ’■
t a innij'^ t P- i. » * . <i b . i :
to {'Hli -a h-r . !ii < i ! i, I.- . ■
faith [u;j- I h:, fill. ; ^
and u hahi. 1 aiw - .abid^^bi , A
profr
“♦i, ! lalir
h’t trf
and [ •\ i i
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"f l;i.‘ V.
riia I’at
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rial a H
1. ‘o' for 1 ?
ni l
iv» him >'il
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'■m a; - and
u it h
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•fan -a
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{a'ad\
a-jn.- . ri:
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of ;t fMt
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a 1
ATJTOBIOGKAPHY OE MALTIN’ VAIST BUEEIiT.
SIS
tially passed from the minds of all who had taken a part in it, he
read that letter to Major Lewis at his own house in New" York. But
even this step would in all probability have produced no disturbing
results had the principal parties remained in their original position
towards each other which was very far from the case, the friendly
relations which had existed between Gen. Jackson and Mr. Calhoun
having been by that time seriously impaired through the agency of
the Eaton imbroglio, and giving place soon after to open hostility. It
was not probably until the latter period that Lewis, who sympathized
in the General’s feelings throughout, informed him of the contents
of Forsyth’s letter, and this was, I verily believe, the first reliable
information he had ever received as to Mr. Calhoun’s precise course
in Mr. Monroe’s Cabinet in regard to his conduct in Florida — a sub-
ject on which the General’s feelings w^ere always keenly sensitive.
He had never before even suspected that that course had been hostile
to him. Hamilton says that he became acquainted with the contents
of the letter but does not say how. My statement that it was com-
municated by Major Lew-is is an inference only, but I have no doubt
that it is a just one, and that the Major would, without hesitation,
confirm it. Of course, General Jackson demanded to see the letter.
He w’^ould have done so if he and Mr. Calhoun had remained friends,
and was less likely to omit it under their hostile relations. This
was in the month of May, 1830, more than two years after the pro-
ceedings of which w"e have been speaking had taken place and until
that time I had never received the slightest intimation, from any
source, of their occurrence. It was after Gen. Jackson had demand-
ed a sight of Forsyth’s letter that Hamilton for the first time gave
me a general statement of its contents as the ground of a request
for my advice in regard to the answer he should make to the Gen-
eral’s application. I instantly decided to have nothifig to do with
the affair and declined to express my opinion upon the question he
submitted to me. He then applied to Mr. Forsyth to give to the
President directly the information that he (Forsyth) had commu-
nicated to- him in the letter referred to. Mr. Forsyth was not a
friend of Mr. Calhoun — ^none of Mr. Crawford’s friends in Georgia
stood in that relation towards him; the feuds between the chiefs had
‘174 "A
last wiuit^r lua? ■ a- ^
!«• tin* }*r»‘ '
trivial t*» him 1 ■■ * - •“■■■'
hath 1 ' Mill Mi < h :
ah’aii’. u ifli f i >:.i‘ ■ ■
jit4 it i«‘a ! I sM*. 1 M lit ' M l- ?■'»-•'
ma> ih«‘ I*!*' ;* »'! i . * < ;
;» MU*! i\ <* 1 *f ♦h‘h> M H' * '
luit r»*'Mhh'*» I whs it, V'. .Mi Mi. ♦
,,f Mr. t'niwiMni a.! Mi' »
ina' 1“ iMifrlrsT, i M!'' M--r ^ s • i
IHI* n f .«-!3 **'■■■
ijilMriral iMii wth ‘’Mi ^Ir « .■
luMr'fi' a Malta**’- t»i *, Tm,* ’ - »-
w ilhtiiu at'! i'i ' a ; a
atn-MiiMl tii»- tf’-a s' .;
»'Mii\ *‘r'>:s 1 it •?! ! mU *■»*?■ »'■'■•' ■ 'M M
!i.r th.it |.tin*<*'
.4 .-v.. .. ,,.i
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u lii. li as h’-a •■* i . , :.
h. .! m! !i*.r! .a**; !*:■ M.,- : ‘1
f-arMt t r.<* : hiM I ' .
•■.iu»Mh! !'»• hi'Mii ‘hi M . . ■ ( . ■
AT V MAirrix van !U'in:x.
\oi! h:nt‘ n* trrusinni** !lu* nj|*uin‘ uiih ilic liuHnns."
<t!Mrr| in tin-* rtiniMunir;!! ' h)! h> \<»n ;ht* ‘ 4 rr';il sur
wiii.'ij i.s iVii A (u !»*:irn uib-ihcr il !»»* pu- AMt* Ih** inrnrinnt inn
i-. nnrrn. I : uhnJhrr it ran In* uu<i»*r nil lim ! I'lmn nl’ u hi<ii \«>i!
;.»n‘ luMli iiilnriuntl. thnt :in\ nitniupi stM'i*»nr'l\ in nUm-t nm \\;n- A
iniin‘d l»s \ nu in tin* nnlutint miinnil, u!it‘ii, n ' i^ Ininwit in \nu, 1 un
r\nnil!in-' t hn nf tilt* < 1 « »\ nlM itin ‘ 1 1 1 , nSnl rlntlinti With t lin nilllmrit:.
rf>Hdun{ tiir uar ih tin* luntitH'r I luinhl iiuinn In* t.”
Vnu <',tn, il’ .\nti plnnx*, InUn a ‘upv ; tlu* nan «‘ih’1o <mI snii will pinner r
tn UH‘,
I ain. Sir, vnr\ laNpiM*! rtill> , vuiir }nniil»l(* sni\ant,
Axnia-’.w J \(’K:
^’ln* Him. J. c\ <’\i tint s.
I'hn railv nipjuirv nt;uli‘ n! Mi*. ( alhnini hy
li‘ttar ulutlnT any aitnuiM n(‘ritMi ly to alFiM'l (uai. rlank:'nti
nini n laiinnl bv h’un in (!in (‘abint'l rnuiicl! ot Mr. Mti
If tin* t Jniinra ! Inhi tnppnil hern tlu*<nair I M I rr-'t i<‘‘ I I iy‘ .Mr. ( a!
in rn|»h inliiiil un!l ha\nlM‘nn rnn-artl-Ml a . an tinnalhal fnr t^xlta
of flu‘ inattnr in nnnt rn\ (‘r. y , tin iyanM! a:, \va alln^pb by Mr. ^
b»nL in pvt rib <»!* a fa*’! ubivli lu‘ voiihl not frankly anb binti
bvii\ b\ ailvm|»! iin»' b» prn\'v a iityraiivv by arirnnitnil. Ibit tin
VT \u-nt fni'lbt'r an<i nlaiumb that tin* avt,. nbnrivil in ut*r«‘ jii.
b\ in trih'ti<»n rtM'in\nb Iriun tin* War 1 K‘| m tt n n'lit . at tbi* Ina
II i«'ii Mr. ( 'a 1 In am t bnit I « m h I , a nb a [ »{ >r< a rt 1 b v t i iv Prt* ibviil .
(’allinUn ua tbu in\iti*tl if tm! nvi’v . aril v vallnl In tb>* run i
f mil a nb bi ‘ai n»n ni «» luin'b tin* a*‘i i»l tli»* W ai lk*paii
;.}},! fin* Ibv ibnut a \\ a , clainmil Ia' t b*u. ba«'l, mn |t» ba\t*
f,,rjvb n|M«n him anilnmily to vapianv mnl In. lb b*r a t-v m
Span! b Prt f in i'hv’iba if in* imuki il ’ ik it nr«’r ar\' toliu
{rntn»i! uf tin* frimtlt'r anb of .air pvoplv aAatn t tlm inma
lipiiati . lb* at lna.,t .-on itk-in. 1 imli In in* iliv pn.itiun in ^
in- ua,:'. planrb b\ tin* tn’in'rab Ifitnr, anb nubnft.iok in an vial
pi*pl\, v«Anrin?r many bvnt . .‘xfra’i ni 'hib**b, to prn\v tba
(baivralW ur.kT - bib ina anilnai/n lb.* uri-upatinn in* him «
Mark"- anb Pmi an.na, lakim*' in llm .* n- pr**l ; tin* vrnimil ilia
ah\ay bvvn taknii by rrawfonb hi frininlN, anb i!n* ..ppo In
(’taiprn.: anb al,-o ibat tin* tb‘nvra! bab, at tin* tinn*. bvm
iiirctriiH'b that :'nvh wvr.* bi ■ \ n-Vi . <b ibr inaatiT. I b* an
flu* Ci{*inTar . : fivviliv mnjuiiA in thn bbk.v, !?,“■ vani
case, wnicn i supportea bj presenting iiiiiy and treeiy aii tne
occurred to me/
This altho’ rendered a little less harsh by the langi
amounted, in substance, to an admission of the corn
Crawford’s statement — as punishment of some sort
usual course, follow conviction. Crawford said,
proposition in the Cabinet was that Gen. Jackson s
ished in some form, or reprimanded in some form, 1
tively certain which.” The General’s question was there
and was, doubtless, intended to be understood as ans
tively. Mr. Calhoun’s reply was, I think, sent to thi
the evening before the adjournment of Congress, in M
first I saw of it was on the day of the adjournment. A
from the Capitol with the President and the other n
Cabinet, who are usually in attendance on the last day
Major Lewis came to my house and laid upon the table
sitting a file of papers, saying There is Calhoun’s let
eral begs you to read the papers attentively and when
time to do so he will be glad to see and advise with
subject.” Hamilton having, as I have stated, appri
general bearing of the correspondence, I required no
upon my answer to this application. I told the Ma;
quite sure the General would not have sent the pape
had reflected on the impropriety of my taking a part
versy between himself and Mr. Calhoun and on its li
interpretation, and apprising him of the answer I had ^
ton, requested him to take them back and to report w
to the General. He did so, and the General embraced 2
tunity to assure me that I was altogether right, and a
earnestly for what he called his carelessness ” in tl
sent a brief reply to Mr. Calhoun, of which I have give:
in the introduction to this review, but which I did 1
was I apprised of its contents until the appearance of
pamphlet.-
There the matter rested until the next winter.
Washington got hold of the fact that there had been
ence and some of the newspapers gave loose and
accounts of its contents. Mr. Calhoun did not arrive
until some weeks of the following session of CongreJ
Attempts were subsequently made (and perhaps bef<
1 This letter, dated May 29, 1830, an A. L. S. of Calhoun’s, is 48 pp,
Jackson Papers.
2 Correspondence between Gen. Andrew Jackson and John C. Calhoiu
A-UTOBIOGRAPHY OR MARTIN VAN BUREN. S
men who claimed to be friends of both the President and Vice Pr(
dent to bring about a reconciliation between them. Mr. Sam
Swartwout was particularly active in that direction. Gen. Jacks
apprised me of those efforts and I advised him, earnestly and s
cerely, to consent to any amicable arrangement of the subject t:
would be consistent with his honor. I was° sitting with him, <
day, in one of the rooms of the White House which had been app
priated as a studio by his friend Col. Earle, who was painting
portrait, when a servant announced that Mr. Swartwout was in
office and requested to see him for a moment. He went out and, on
return, told me that the whole affair was settled. He gave me
substance of the terms, but my recollection upon the subject is
distinct enough to justify me in undertaking to state them,
expressed my gratification at the result. He did not appear entii
satisfied with what he had agreed to, but said the matter was d(
with and he would think no more about it.
The adjustment of the whole affair, was for several days p
licly spoken of. Information of the fact was communicated
persons out of the city and I received letters in which the pacif
tion was spoken of as undisputed. But Mr. Calhoun’s publicat
appeared notwithstanding. No explanation of the failure of
negotiation has, to my knowledge, been given on either side. 1
attempts were subsequently made — ^the last immediately before !
Calhoun’s ^ appeal ’ appeared — ^to give that paper a character s
to have it published in a way which would be satisfactory to G
Jackson and to prevent him from replying to or taking any no
of its contents. Col. Eichard M. Johnson and Senator Grur
recognised and warm friends of Mr. Calhoun, as they were alsc
Gen. Jackson’s called (as he now informs me) on Mr. F. P. B1
with whom they enjoyed a cordial intimacy, and whose feeli
were then personally favorable to Mr. Calhoun, and made a labo
effort to persuade him to publish it in the 6^lo5e with comme
indicating that it was neither in fact, nor in intention an att
upon Gen. Jackson. He resisted their solicitations to the end,
sisting that the paper could not be so qualified as to avoid a rupi
with the General which must be the ruin of Mr, Calhoun.
"Rio 11^ rlnoG -nnw rApnllAGf iiTiV- nv. if Pi
M78 A''> '-■*
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if la»l lla* la-'-.a-. ! ! ..■
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ill* m’. .a'a-d . ■. i a.
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aa Mr. d; a -.-; ,
I l.i i iii ^ .d - a -a,-;,
*'!■ .f S.I-. I.. I a ;
Ar'rnr.iiHiUMM! V ur mautin van r.n:r,\.
,H,1 uni Ihi- suhj.M i lo tUu I’.v .i.lnui, !h., u;i -u, rullcri
tlmuulit i! ti> ilo so. 1' I'lmi Mr. <ii'nuil\ 1 .1 *
I'l.n iiH ri-.Ul. utii.-li 1 iiiHlcr in,,,! in uu-iii ilial lliu s:
(inii-; iiliVn'il U'hI Ih'i'H
■riM. i.iwiiilui til.' uhuii 1 ,.,, .mu, ,■ u:a.l,, . 1 - a
uu.m, u l.rininl .mi.y «as .•Iiul.isu.l «illi a naiim-l luai I
Ilial Inn In I Im ! •I'l- ii 1. 'll I . 'ritia al-n 1 ill', liimil 1“ ,!n.
HI lu'ullli till-. iir.'V.'Utril im- I’.'-'iii niiikhr.-: Uii ■. .'...aiu lui.'.i . mn narh.T.
Thai till' ac.-urai'y 111 ’ (hi.-Matnucnl v.a a uiit.'il l • ly Mr. <'i
iu‘i'i''>MiriIv ri'Mill- 'iVniii thi“ n-laiinii in whi.'!i thi'V h<illi M'"
wards (Jvn. da.'ksuii and fnnu (lu- racis ilial ,Vlr. (iruiidy w
Ihc spot at tlu' iiiHc it was made and that he did imi qui' non
is |■|^■tlH•r .■indlniu'd hv tlu' d.'.'laratiun of Mr. In-hain. m h
, 1 ,.,.. ; (lu. Pn.Mdi'iil.of diilv isnl, that 'Mill' pivlar.' ti. tl,
..u.iHindi'nn'” i«hirii wa.-. ih.' ' appeal’) “had lu'iai prevtoir
xinl l.y the I'l-,'. idi'ut'.' parti. ailar fri.'ii.l, and rwry I'Npr
uhi.'h lu' tli.iiipht niin'lit h.- inT.s.mally otlVi.-iw' to ih.'^ I’r.'sidi'i
lii'cn era cl at tin- ruyi;.' lion of that fricn.l.’ ^ir. (.rini,l\. 1
inl'oniH'.l .Maj.n- Katon |h.' n.'M .ia\, h\ note, “that all mi, i
!,V whirh the latter iimler to...t that tile ii"". l.'.i, r,l! -red ha.
iiilopleil. all.l hearing polhill;'- t.. the eolitrarv. .ute.iv.l, of .
(hat (tie Major had earrie'l iiiloelh'el th
t hi'tii atiil i hat t h.' • lepera 1 had a
'i'hi infereiiee. uhi.'h n.> t.'|.
uit:. .■ontirin.'. 1 l.\ ih.- .'ir.'iitu t.in
wa M'lil to him til.' eseiiiif- Imfoiv
t„. laid hefore t h.- I’f.' i.I.'Ul, 'a. that t h.
it .'am.' ont, of uhi.-lt al .> Matoii looii iiolie.'.^ 11.' .t'"' t
uh.i I'nl it. hill it i' no. <*' ' iil'I"’ '•.! that it uoiilo ha.
I'lil vvith.iiil til.' appr.'t'alioii "f -Mf' < alh..iin, or imd
i.lheu inipre i..n titan that liie arruiin.'in. ni ha.l h.'.-n foim.
lai'tors anil ae.-ept ahh- to ( i.-n. da.'l. on. 1 hat th.' .ipp.'.i
mhi-reil to tin- people tin. let- a full I'.'hef that n.'h wa t
: tat.' of the .'a: e it i imp., il'l"' to iloiiht. ami I'oii'.ei anl^ a.
witii the then e..n.rnion of thinu-s a . atre.'tin;'' tliai p.m.l
very uell eolieei\e tiiat. Imt for that nirtake. ami tie'
whieh was it', lif t I'oif e.|iii'n. i', Mr. falhoun minai n o.
,.d 1.. III.' I’resi.lett.-y. If th.' t.'rm ..f the ill.'m.'n!
iTtM-t
th,' I
i rr.M Ii*'
-f iU‘‘i it
; t lilt it* Id
flit
.'.1 1.
t it.
Ol! ! Ilf 1 1
dirt t»i‘
l''.:iioii
fuinii f
,lltf**
that
:i ftt
1'.'
!lif |i:n
i’tu'f
i I \\
dl: 1
In'.l
lim' |til
tliat
th.'
hit t f r
mi.'ht
Ihdfl If
Ar'r<>!ut)tn:APH V t>K MAirriN van iutfvKN.
Marik' (Itananthal by wliat vwlv of jusi’uH' lu‘ was deprived of
diaiee tuatfria! hi defen-t* of a of Uie eon versat-ion
fori’e ptaideni-e of thi‘ tuo iiHlivitliials whos(» naiiuN iwv in hlank
\\di\ not" raid he '"infoiau nu‘ wlio tlu‘V arei' Idu^i!* i(‘stin
ndirlit ht‘ liiiih!} iinp(»r(ant, and t'Vtni t lu‘ir /n///o .s* (so ilaTK
in the oriirinai't miuht throw nnudi linfht on this mvsttn’ioiis atf
Airain w hoh^ atfair is a politi<*ai manoeuvre^ in whieh (hr
siirn i' tlinl you (tJen. djudeson) shonhl be the instrument, and
sidf the \ietinn but in whieh tin* real aetors an* (’and’nlly eoner
by Jtn arlfui mo^ iunent ; a naked (‘opy, with the names reft'rred \
blank, athu'ds sletuler nuains of didecdiom ^ ^ ^ nanu's w
are in hlank mioht of t henist‘lvt‘s through their poliiieal assoeial
pt)inl tlirtMily in the eont!’lvi‘r ; of this sehemed’ Apparent.ly foi
purpo i‘ of [>rev eat liiu: in\ i* eap<* from tlu* ftdl rort‘(M)f his onset, u
eoU‘r of a di\ it led re pon ibility for tin* '■ plotd hi* proecHMls to sepj
(hi. ‘‘hhnv" frtun that mt‘tlita(tMl " by Ilamilton's apiditadio
in whieh hetlid m»t thensu-pt'et mt* of [)a rt ieipat ion. llesa
• :e\er;d iieheatiou forewarned me lone: si mn* that a blow’ was n
tated aeaiirt aa^: / ea-V/ ,sv/// fnj/n //a ([ititdt'r frtnn tr/ih‘h
er>, hut la rtdat it m 1 1 > t his .Nahji*et , mon* t ban t wo yiairs sint‘t% I
a eoi'i'e poiideuei* vut li " Ni‘d dt'serihine; his (‘orrespondeneeAvit h I
ill oa.
'The my tta'itai blank wtu't* at onee, and to the ^rtad. disapp
men! of tho i‘ who e\peeted, not to say la^piMl, <11 lli*reat Iv, (‘Xphi
h\ Mr. i'ia- \ih a refen iar*; in eaeh instanee to tlie same pei'sma
{M Mr. Ilamdtom of wlio e a^nmey in the matter Mr. (kdlioun
fully aWMiv,
\\di ii unelun’itabh^ t<» atirihutt* |o this anxitdv to iniplicadi*
<*<UI effUrutly ro d. t!oy me pidilieall} the failurcMrf the ae<‘onm
lion hr! w feu (he I Wo hiuhe ( otlieers of tlu‘ ( loviuamumt. p‘ne
' up|H» rd |o lane been iieet*, lullv nejyoliated by S w'a rt AVout., am
:,iih filiitiou of a auMle of hrinynai^ ifn* matter before tbv (k)i
V. lueli ifiiidit aeeoiuph h both results^
Mefoiv I ‘ni further 1 mu t say a word, in justiee io my own
iarrs, in relation to the part' faktm in this affair by (k>l. dohnso?
Mr, tirumiy. .bdurom wa.-lht* fritmd id’ tlu* human t*a.e(‘ ami all
needed, hi./ou*viec-s in any hom»rahle way eoidd leave tlumi. In
Ar‘rtM‘.!ni;i: Arm (*r MAiri'ix van r.ruKx.
It li:t " lu'sMi hv Ahii tMiii- iilrrjit in!!-, wilh kiu nv Ici 1
'rMUtviitl) nf 111 I’nr tin* t ralrr:i‘':i I l>!';mrl
\\:irt’:tr<A in \\ln<*li I nay amiu !ia\(* nrna inn in
mv [Vrlim- in r<‘Lnuai in lii-. arvimy in lla* jti'n nni matlta* haw
rt uit I’t *1 li‘< i.
.\hinit t inn' tlu* ti'nth nf i‘\rry tliinn; aih in Mi*. ('nllmunV. |
pliha nf nV |»aL'‘‘‘- ahuijt < h'l!. Jank nn auij him t‘!r in fnnafi
I ht* ijiit‘ tin!! in tii putn hiivnam ihi‘Ui thtn’i* w a imthinv’- that u
nr 'hniikl lia\t‘ impalwh tin* n. aiiii lcntt‘ nf thr AnHn'iiain prn|»l
t hr ( hnu'rar pat pint i in nr inl'an jiy. .\Ip. (*:ilh<tun admittiMl ii
rnrrt""|H»ni Itmrr ihat hr had iirun' pnr iinnt*d nit ln'r. *1 hr t hn
had pa-tMi ihmiudi an art !\<‘ rmiipaimt hr fnrr i 'mnn't'' and ha
fniinhi hi haiilr <»\rr arain Ijrfnw that hndy in rr prrf P*
ainr ai.niri' Innl rnin»‘ niit fd’ thr mntr t {•rtnliruird in full
r inr ,»!' thr fa\<n' am! i’nnlldnaa^ nf thr priipk*. ill; <‘a r
t rriu'l iuau'd hy that \rry i’(U'rr pnitdrira* iti hrinn'injp frr tht‘
intHN fn 1 hr knn\^ Irdnr nf tlir Ck«nntt‘y thr fart that hr
wriltri! pf'ivatr Iritrr h» I h*r idrnt Mnnpnr tidliin'; him that il
Aihuini irafinn ap|»rrriatrtl a. h«‘ did tht‘ inili pm ahlr nrrr it
ni'riipvmr irinpnrardy thr Spam !i pn i , am! ri hrd him tn
thrin witlinni pn iti\r in tiaaiitm . tlin\ hail »»n!y tn j'i\c a hii
nliir rn'itidcfit !:d inriiilirr «d’ t ’nnnm { :\\ '■“dnhmiy In
j idr’a I at id I hr t hma-al wnn Id taivr pn t* i(»n nf dmin nn hi
rr pun ti *i 1 it ‘a and iltat un .!n A\rr had <*\rr kmm rrlmaa d tn
IrVtrr, t’iM'^rhy lr:t‘An.‘* Iniu a fairi*',**!] r :i\ Ira t fnr rrrar«!ln?'
drnrr nf iljr rir, idrnt a furm hiiu'’ thr n^'‘'r frd hint. \
thr tirnri'a! had dniir. ulirihrr within thr liui^ nf hi indtair
nl* lint, had hrrn dnlir tn pTnU-rl t hi* li\ r. n\' nlir prnplr apain 1
a\ai»r jril mI‘ h» rrnrnadr fi'nin all natinn w!in wtu’r indifr
at k*a f, fn rrl'i^d ai d mrnaia’M'd frirn thr pl.trr Upnli uliir
had ri/rtk All a«hmlfi*d thr pnrltv nf hr. uintnr, ami a iiiaji
nf hi rnimtrumai wria* ati lir.l dial thr hifdi nm* ity id' h!
\\a iillirirntl} appairjit In jn fif\ thr rxri’i’i •* i>f th«‘ autlu
wilfi r, Inrlt In* had hnm rintlird ami id da* nuwrr h»‘ h»‘id. I
da* amr tivrrrnlinr pianriplr iif dir afrl\ nf da* pi’npha hr
fr- 4a!ly r\rrf*drd hi. i nd lairi mn : at Nrw thdan! , aia! !<y hi
ilmi iUi dial iirra iiilt n<it iail\ i-ln rt| t'a* Wai' nf 1 '•d A in a I
A Millie A \
:is 2
liis ill tin* r.i :ij ! s?
U[)on int‘ «»rrnri'r<l !< * i!iL 1
for ^ UMunly. 1 It* li:i‘i !»•*• l!'.. ! I !
wit hill ,1 1 ’■ i s ’
ha\t‘ f:ti!t*d in ■ ♦‘iHi*' i !i>' 'M Mi n ** * I
with him hc’fnrt’ tit: |’ T!***] li.Mi ■ *’
httiur- \ i‘ry limit ft L 1 h* '• ' * •
X'ahillft alfl 1 HMtfh tli i«
liharal ami ju>{ iV^him/ .iU*! ‘r-i - »
! If ami Mr. ( 'alifmf t-m *‘i f .a ',-i
i am! I'' aam-tl it h t f : • 't * 1
lH‘ru‘\t*, iifVi't' fUtirt*!} ’
jH»>it it»n in w liif h Im* u a n! - t -n ' '
Mill a lit! { Ilf rfm it i ! :.it f t ‘ ' t ■* ' ■
< )nf nf \ hf ii." 1 a mu ! Hf ='taiM 1
It >Ut?' '!*r\ ft* i n lii a I 1 't t i ' , ! jam
iuijhit aft* Mr. t 1 1 im *! lu M 1 t , ..
hautmuf \ it’it \ iii-l j»t-' ; a .
i*a riif f m*- a a* 1 m'a .a r * > 1 1 1 » a- 1 * ■
uf ihf jtari If fall*-*! t‘U{ i r u' » la
Hit* at i’ll tal lit’ 'a il f‘‘. i f« ah h ’
him flf aifl Mr. t all: . lu * r,, a
t n ur.'f ■ ! { t ifi 111 i . i h^ I • : ' n ^
r at i‘ fai t it m l « * t If m a u \ 1 1* *1 ■ * ’ :
rmlf, aiuiiu 1 tin' h‘*f a aii- I .jm f- —
Ilf unllitifai am a ir- ha i a.M ^ i
I Hiif hfau !muu> i ? ^atr { !<'a a ' ■ a
UH tUfaal) I h.r I- L . ; . ;
f ha 1 Irl a't-i 1 Mi. ( lav t « « | «i . m i ■ • a *
Thi. [ a ( iff li lif m- ! V ' . '.a- ! ^ / i .
in ihf :*i ='at 'mi^a l aimu^-ul aia i .
iU!'' Mr. i alhtiati h :Ui ■ ■ 1 .
Mr. i 1 l aiaf-t h a ^ ^
fsiaiff t'i i 1 1 tr t It i J i 11
I ha^f aal. < a' hf’ ■ n I . '
Uif n f rr r'l ar t- . ? ■ . '
AUTOBIOGEAPHY OP MAKTIiv YAN BXJKEN. i
versal, and the indignation against Mr. Van Buren would appear to he so g;
that even Gen. Jackson’s popularity would be unable to save him.
Mr. Duncanson was invited to assist, by taking charge of
Kentucky Argus and, notwithstanding flattering inducements,
dined, and subsequently caused Gen. Jackson to be informed of
overture who thereupon took measures to establish the Gloie.
The effects produced were certainly, for a short period in f
proportion to the odious nature of the charge, the artful disgu:
which had been thrown over the transactions out of which it
constructed, and the niacliinery so cunningly devised to help
to do its work. To show the nature and extent of those effect
content myself with the insertion here of a single letter selec
from the numerous anxious communications I received on the s
]ect. It proceeded from the capital of a State lying comparativ
near the seat of the Federal Government — a State which alw
bestowed more earnest and busy attention upon national questi*
than was given by any of her sister States and wliich, I may a
then at least exerted a greater influence than any others, upon
general sentiment of the Country. . Mr. Kitchie possessed my
limited confidence, and had been encouraged to coimnunicate
opinions upon all public subjects in which I was concerned with
reserve — a privilege which he exercised, on stirring occasions,
its broadest latitude.
This letter bears the following endorsement : reeewed on
(Jay that my Vard apipeaTed and after its appearance'^^ The lei
and the Card passed each other that day on the Eichmond route.
DexVR Sir,
Yon know me too well to suppose that I would intrude upon your valu:
lime v/itliout some strong reason. I have always treated you with frankr
and I think it due to you to address you in the same spirit on the prei
occasion. I will .address you as I candidly did Mr. Crawford in 1824, wl
without being personally acquainted with him, I requested a imrticular fri
to visit Washington specially, with a confidential letter, to request an exph
tion upon a point of fact, in which he might be supposed to be deeply c
promitted. He met the matter with the utmost possible frankness — explai
all the circumstances, and removed every doubt and apprehension.
But to the point at once ; — I refer to Mr. Calhoun’s Correspondence. It i
vain for him to disclaim any “ allusion to one particular individual ” — he t
intend you, and so every man who reads the publication will suspect. I
384
AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION.
his intimate friend and constitutional adviser he indi
fused to sanction the arrangement that had been been (
to suffer that assault to be made over his shoulders. ]S
ivas however very different. The offence charged agai
in every respect a heinous one. If I could so far haA
what was due to my position and to my own honour
revived that old and forgotten affair for the purpose o;
a quarrel between the President and Vice President, wh
quarrelled about it before, in the hope of thereby prc
own political advancement, there was scarcely a dept]
scorn and reproach to which I would not have richly
sink. It would have been difficult to conceive of a case I
lated to excite the unmeasured condemnation of all gc
The welfare of the people, the character of the Governr
as that depends upon the conduct of its highest officis
peace of mind of an old and care worn public servant,
on his shoulders the gravest responsibilities of the State,
other scarcely less important interests would all have s
rage through such an intrigue on my part.
That the main object of the publication was to fasten
upon me was clearty indicated by the ‘ a|)peal,’ was the pi
standing of the matter and shortly after it was publishe
be denied in any quarter. The developments of time hav
specific proof of this design. Col. Benton in his work {
quently referred to, describing the origin of the
makes the following statement : ®
At a Pi-esiclential levee in the winter of 1830-31, Mr. Duff Gre
the “ Telegraph ”, newspaper, addressed a person then and now
resident of Washington city (Mr. J. M. Duncanson) and invitee
at his house, as he had something to say to him which would r
iidential interview. The call was made and the object of the i
closed, which was nothing less than to engage his (Mr. Duncanson'
in the execution of a scheme in relation to the next presideritia
which Gen. Jackson should be prevented from becoming a camJ
election and Mr. Calhoun should be brought forward in his place.
Mr. Duncanson that a rupture was impending between Gen. Jaci
Calhoun ; that a correspondence liad taken place between them, b
(as he alleged) by the intrigues of Mr. Van Buren; that the c(
was then in nrint. hut it« ripinvpfl nnl-il nvviino
M 'VtMMiH'AlWlW i»K MAIITIX VAX UrUHN.
litMi-. tiurijti* uii* .MiiuitiS'.! rirntiu <•{ Mr. uini u iiirii an* r<‘r»‘rn*(l to ]*}
Uitlrr atiif b'iuaii, uoia* >o iaa«lo iiv Mr. \ an rau’oifs at!\ it*t‘ or laaiouroi!
T.onvifi'.! tln' liiotivo-. aiul objoris o{' ilao.* anpn''at ions h» !la»s(‘ who may t
il uoof.sary to uoUim* liiom. .M*\ Van Ihiron avoi-*; that llu-y ami oaoh oi'
\U‘ro n<»I <atl> maho wilhoin a“oJifs <»!' any hoNoriiM ion on his pari, hiif
wifiKmt his kmwvh‘(|!‘v; atal that ho has af no poriotl taU<ni any part ii
laaitm-*^ oonnoi-ttHi with iluatL- IhMh‘sin‘s us I'urfhor tosay that o\i‘r> a-soi
or insinuation, wliitai lias for its olptMl t<i intpufo to ihm any partioipara
atlomuts, >nppt».sAHi to luivo htani nuith' in tlu* >oars 1S‘JT ami IS1‘S ti» juapmlio
\ iro ih'osidont in tin* s^toinl (»pitth>n of (h‘n. .faok.son, <>r at any linns i--'
nnl’oumlod am! imjmst. Ho had no niolivo 4»r <!osin* lo on*att* sm-h an ini
^h»n, am! mafiior to<ik. iohisod m»r ootinfoiiams**!, dirtHily or Imlir
any stt*ps ti» 4 ‘hV<’t that <*1>.!04*1. F<»r tin* <*orro«im*ss of tln*s<* do<*lanitioi
apiusals, with a cmihdomM* u hioh doiios ooiit radloi ion, to all wlio ha\ o iioon a
in i1h‘ atliaitt'd transaoiiun i-oforroil to. or wltn possoHs an> knowtodao o
nhjoot .
W a:.hin;h«m. I 'oh. V *. 1
I ha VO knuun IVw imus* .tiakluii; in t a poos ip pithlio lih^ i
alroni!: (anToJit <<f luvimlii’C ami au-pioinp arrt^ fotl not.
turnoh haok tipon tlnra* who . tartt*il ih hy an oxposition so sil
;in,i ,n hriof. It otFis't v\o!-o ho lo s \i iitlo in thoir Tnoos iha
thoir oninlUid. am! iMysoiisl tin* rookk* - . invtM*ti\t*s of (ho 7'f A p,
no i'lhal uois* nnnk* fnriiior to nphokl flu* plot. Man
ni\ friomls, I'oti.sml from (In* :tup<H* into whit'h (ho apparont
oiiliio of tho timo Inn! thrown thi*m, tirmal nn* (o ip> on ami
tain m\ honial hy (ht* ii o of (io<*uim‘ids, :<ann* of which wt‘ro
in in\ pt> o ion. ami hy (ho <lin*ot (o.itinony of o\t‘ry pi*ra>u
ha<l hooti namoh a priuoipal or aponts ami who ut‘rt* all r
ami ahxioti to i’onn* i<»rwaish llaiuiltoiu as will ho . oon hy hi;
Irr to Low is, wa anuowhat miilml tliat ho wa;; nod oallt'd tipt
('Xt ulpato luo. (Ji*n. Jack <»n ianihl not forhonix yoar aftorw
who!i ho !n*ai-i! of tho rooinioiliat ion Indwtam Mr. C alluHtn ami
tdf, Ui t*ml mo a not only tm olioitml htil ontin*ly ttimxpmioil I
^o^llf\in^' to ms innopimoo,* ot which ho wa' % ot all tdlu*?’;;, dm
infornna! hia-an o hr ra tin* tnau whom I was oharynal witli attr
iHL^ to projmrnn* atni inllaiut* against Mr. Ckilhfnm. Two or (hr
tlio'o papers arc in filtal hta’o, *** ■ i»ul at tlio tinn* I rotu <
a sti'h ht*\a»ml my (kuah I oppo.sj‘tl to tho (‘hai’mw* ami i
nalisittsof mv oiioinios a tfohant (*o!it isnliot ion am! a <*haraotor w
ih.P MtuI \ilidr foMihiootl. had no\or laam snooo tllll
386
AMERICAN PIISTORIGAL ASSOCIATION.
my letter. I really wish he had. But this information is not in su
ns to be given to the Public, and it wants your own stamp to ma
decisive.
I need not inform you that this matter is the subject of universa
tion among us. Many of our friends have expressed their doubts
some, very vehemently: and a forcible article is° already put into
by a warm friend of the administration, explaining the attitude ii
thinks this Correspondence places yourself.
Discussion is inevitable.. It struck me from the first and I am
strongly satisfied of it. Will you then excuse me for asking you
to the subject — ^for asking frankly whether you were concerned oi
in bringing up this difference between the President and Vice Pres
moreover, for suggesting that you * should take the same public co
the Vice President has taken — ^now that he has taken it — and ma
to the Nation that his allusions to you are without foundation. All tl
wliicli my Correspondent at Washington wrote me was in the po
your friends, ought to be at once and fully produced, — every atom
the most perfect and \inblenching frankness. It is due to yoursell
confident, to the Administration.
I address you Sir, without any circumlocution or intermediate
you have no objection I would take it as a favor that you show ii
Gen. .Jackson. I address you, too, with the sincerest wishes that >
able to demolish every doubt, every apprehension, every political
trust that the thing may be made out as clear as a ray of light frt
It has been my gratification to write you more agreeable letters, bu
that was dictated in a franker or more friendly spirit.
I am, dear Sir, Ilesp’' yours,
Tiios. Rit
Richmond, JPeh.
As soon as all the persons of this drama had come forv
Calhoun with liis loamphlet, Gen. Jackson with a few s
statements in the Glohe^ and. Messrs. Crawford, Foisyth, ai
ton with their letters and explanations, I published this (
[From the U. States Telegraph, Feb. 26.]
Me. Van Buren to the Editor of the Telegraph.
Mr. Van Buren transmits the enclosed to the Editor of the Un:
Telegi*aph for insertion in his paper of tomorrow.
February 25th, 1831.
Mr. Van Buren desires us, in relation to the correspondence b
Vice President and various other persons which has recently a]
make the foil own* 02* statement in his behalf.
388
AMKint’AX H !:-^Tni:lrA'h Uii'^X
(!u‘ iai t‘lt*iinni in ulii' li i h'H. J.ir*
aiul t!i(‘ yi*ar of that chu'lion. 11 h* ini!iii'!l!;i!i'
was (it was said) to (»htairi f\ it!ffh*r fli if Mr. t'-ilh.'
unfritaully part in Mr. Mtairtu'' t !.*v nil i *
iiijLJ: his (‘oiuliirt in t lu* Stainnolr w u . Tih I. t
ill will on tli(‘ pail of Mr. ( ‘alh<iUii ul u Iji.'h n \v .1 >•«
(‘ral had luwaa’ lunai infoiaiifd and 'd' th<* r\: tmi'T *1
(‘\(‘n rai^ptadtal, t iu iaufi* lifh an upfia! ni " '
l'lu‘ fritaids (d' Mr. (‘rawfortl, uhn ha*! npptniid
\'ious (d(‘ftion, \\vn\ in \*iruiui;n in ,\fv\ mk, iiith .-
St att's, sa vt‘ p(*rhaps soinrw iiat In' mialiall v in in it
tin* Mipport oft inn. dark-on. on tin* ann* i h'k»! v, if !i
<lah‘ for t hr \'irr lha‘dtlrnr\\ and houial foijj,* ii|*p.
by int(*rr>( and ! douht not oy frrlin:'' aho, iiu.d Mi
a>rrrta ininrnt id’ any fart uhirh ndrdit plar,* dir u
.Mr. ('raw loial and tim. dark-nn upon a Mntr.* .Midia
that mrans '(imnlatt* tin* rniupa rat i \ »*] \ hinio !i
t it'oririan*-, an <»hjrr{ a\»o\cd tin* «>i'all' -i * tmh j*.
rti: srd on tin* trip to Nt*w t)i ltMn , uoadd h.r.n P.m
nu‘n(. Ihit what roltld hr aid or tp.rndlf of aa aff»-(
a fart which wonhl ha\r thrn tnm if aPU pio.pa rd. a
NV hrn it rauir !(» poPt, Pn (dit\ pripap oiii ; irau o. f
son and Mr. ('alhotin ainl a tp lumdunnirnt ..f i!;.-
not I.rwis and Hamdton and llirii ad\i rj , if f’i> «
dt*‘rr\ril toP(‘ra!lrd mad luru if f Imr ri.in'r’ \ rd or ii
a srhriut*^ Snppo r, for t hr alo* .rf mr»*fi!ip ro**r\
pirion or «d‘ iinjmtafion that tPrl|- opj.'W ua f*. .,Pt
to 1)1* iioai at . oiin* di taut »la\ . a. ffrr l !a* »* !«'.■! ion, 1. »
«h*' irrd aPt*nation PrlWrrii fp'‘{r rainpd.if** ’ord.j
o'onr ilirrrtl\ {<» Mr. t’allntun and iliii. piitlinr Pain
flndr niarpination ha\r addiv -rd 1,0 Pa,-,* iP*- rinr i
tion of upirp Win- to Pnnp to poPt fP.‘ r'aP-i!*'.>' « f
rP'U'koni on a r 4 *rtain oiaat' imt. iftr pr**. ! fa.n i
anij thrn not yt*t an ^vr^rd ' Would ihr\ not r iiP-r
thr drsirrd infornmfion upn-p Mr. ( r'awp.rd' n.r!l I.
Mr. (Pdlnmn anthori/r.l tPrm fo r\pr.i on-diP- i
din* notion of a dr-dini “ n» r\f rarf fri.in lum, if po
AUTOBIOGKAPHY OF MARTIN VAFT BUREFT.
Callionn’s reflections satisfied him that in the account which h
given to Hamilton of the proceedings in the Cabinet he had ni
mistake which, if published, would in all probability render nece
a further and unreserved disclosure of those proceedings in
integrity, like that which, in the sequel, he felt himself constra^
to give in his ‘ appeal.’ The certain consequence of such a step ^
have been, as he could not doubt, to involve him then in a qi
with Gen. Jackson, as it did involve him when it was after
taken by the publication of the ^ appeal.’ * This he was for ot
reasons anxious to avoid — for which purpose the only resour<
any existed) vras the interdiction of the publication of what h
already said and the refusal to add further disclosures, on the gi
of the sanctity due to Cabinet proceedings. By this course the
lation of the disturbing proceedings would, at the worst, be 1
chance, and if Hamilton, after it had slept for two years, ha
shown Forsyth’s letter to Lewis manifestly as a matter of curi
that revelation might never have been made.
This was the construction ultimately placed by most disinte:
and fair minds upon ail the assertions and inuendoes, statement
counterstatements in the case, and the conviction became genera
what plotting there was had been directed by other hands and ;
at the destruction of a different individual. In all my subseque
litical contests the charge of concocting and engineering that f {
conspiracy was never revived against me, unless the vague and r
allusions on the occasion of the rejection of my nomination as 1
ter to England — ^when the use of the charge was in keeping w:
original object, may be considered such a revival.
I did not see any of the papers contained in Mr. Calhoun’s
phlet before its public appearance in February 1831, but had,
way I have described, received general impressions in respect tc
contents. Our intercourse, consequently, became daily more anc
formal and ceased altogether after I had read that work. Fror
time until the extra-session of Congi^ess in September 1837, a ]
of between six and seven years, our relations were those of
guised hostility. At that session he supported the principle ai
recommendations of my Message to Congress openly, ably, and
out reserve. This was no holidav determination, promising i
390
AMICltU’AN 1 1 IS'rnKli VAL ASx h ‘I A I’ It > X .
aiul liad not been for noarly M'Vtai npnfi t<‘r
approcialed and (‘xpivs.stal, on all littinix itci'.i !<*!} , ni\ n* | •
and adniii’ation of his noblt' luairinu'. I»ut ii atiild \uHk no* *
in onr personal ixdalions, until the a'ult whii li he had er. iirtl,
been descriluHh I.H‘i ween u-' -Imnld ht* hndiiVtl lf\ a :!i' i.-nioi
cession of the injiisruu* whieli hati boen thnir to ini*. N.. ..ns*
stood bettiu" than !u‘ oi* was more -en ilde ni tht» ji!<e»r!!*ty
conrs(‘ In a\'oidini>: tlu‘ .sliidd<‘'t ad^aner to'\:n'i! a pei **nal
ciliation. A!th«>' pi’(»pared in hi^^ feeliuir- bj tal.e tin- llr i
that dire(‘l ion hiuiMhl* lu* derm-nai iloin-' o h:r nmrr than iwt
for nai sons wliieh he assigned on the lh><ii' * d’ iln* S. n/ite in r*
iRIr, (day's insinuat ions upon tlu‘ .ubji'ri ehieh Irdi Im- hn
n<)ti(‘tal. At ( lu‘ st‘>>ion of t 'Pk tHHi a ftt'F i.iV M*' an.* !.i.i
scmt iiu W'illiam II. Koaiun om* of iht* Seiaiior frttn! \ im fo’a
worthy son of Sfx'iiei'r Roam*. do'IVr tud >’! >ididt liMa ! ai l d
friend, ask(‘d an in(er\ie’A' for (lu* .- pneial pan jio »* ..f nui.un 'n
iut‘ upon the su bjeef of I he mxi. i tnr ptu’ lUial ivlaii.en i'furt
(hillu)Un and mynelf. 'Tlu* ub tanet* of !ti ronaiiin 'm a- na
on {!i(‘ir way to Wa hinidon Mr. raltaai!, hnl i. ! b: " d
thouidd tlu‘ timi' hatl aia*i\tn| (<^ [nn an «*ii«l to ih*' hitii nn •!
which had so lonu’ exi.'^ tful ina wocn n aaai i hai hv ' !o > .
prejudices ana in,- 1 me and Aa I’tanlv to mal.r oj.ip. r ; ; to. • !
end, that a,n'reeiny’ in poliiio ;nsd rninm * ‘ a o,e’: ’.mv
suppoi’t (jf a irreat public tjue tion iich ;t I’oi.i :» r * oi- i
ptu’sona! relations, was in hi jmlyn.citi ilcui. u^d- 1 lo n e.lic ,
(U’at ieius of an imperat i\ c i'liaraeicr, ihai a I ■ hi t i o d n» -i o\j
find anylliinn* in it lu cliam^n* hi viee. Uv vo. Id pr. f-r io
fortheominij;’ Me -am* indAr** an\ tep wn t dv* o o t o lui.o
a 1 1 (U* t Iia t lu‘ wislu'd Mr. Itoane, i! tjoi oiht‘re,i »* u; inichd. !•
iniinieah* to me u hal hatl pa .-tMl lueturen flii'iu. lod d' do
redVrred to ua.*^ a^ree*al»lc to me, Ih* and . bdiin • o
a. friemlly visit, amh in tliai uau ;{c»*ofu|d! h li.-odi.- i m ,
1h‘, {hou^'ht this would b** be-A .Imtc uiibouf m
1 ae<Hd>t(al the*, prof a » dp jot i uith tma Itecfi-rl cordfdiiu an. I i uo
titue at wldu'li I wotdtl rceei\e tln'm. tlir. tsdii'd and i
hands, Mr. (hdhomn in a feu- weU i-'hooui term , r**pfa,frd a.
AUTOBIOGRAPHY OR MARTIN VAN BUREN.
391
next in December 1839, when the personal reconcilation between Mr.
Calhoun and myself became publicly known. The debates on both
occasions have been carefully and impartially reported by Col.
Benton in the second volume of his Thirty Yearr'^s View, and are un-
usually interesting, the lines of attack and defence extending to
the entire political lives of both Senators and exhibiting on both
sides thorough preparation and extraordinary ability.
On the first occasion the previous personal relations between
Mr. Calhoun and myself had been harshl 3 ^ commented upon, as
respected the former, at the very threshhold of the debate but the
reconciliation had not then taken place. Wlien that became pub-
lic Mr. Clay forthwith lugged it into the discussions of the Senate.
Mr. Calhoun brought forward a Bill authorizing the cession
of certain portions of the public lands, which he had introduced
before any of the occurrences here referred to, notwithstanding
which fact, Mr. Clay enquired of him ivhether the measure now
brought forward was favored by the Administration and based
the enquiry upon the rumored change which had recently taken
place in the personal relations that had so long existed between
the Senator and the President. This was followed by a succes-
sion of thrustings and parryings upon various points, spirited, and
not wanting in an undertone of bitterness. After some protesting
against the indecorum of Mr, Cia^^’s course in dragging his per-
sonal relations before the Senate, Mr. Calhoun felt himself con-
strained by his persevering personality to enter into an explana-
tion of what had taken place between us so far as that had any
public bearing, and it is due to him that I should give it in his
own words.
I will assure the senator, if tliere were i>ledges in his case, there were none
in mine. I have terminated my long-suspended pei^onal intercourse with the
President, without the slightest pledge, imdefstanding, or compromise, on
either side. I would he the last to receive or exact such. The transition
from their former to their present personal relation was easy and natural,
requiring nothing of the kind. It gives me pleasure to say, thus openly, that
I have approved of all the leading measures of the President, since he took
the Executive chair, simply hecanse they accord with the principles and policy
on which I have long acted, and often openly avowed. The change, then, in
our personal relations, had simply followed that of our political. Nor was it
AMEEICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION.
392
opponents, he would repeat what he had said, at the last sessi<
object. It is, said he, to obliterate ali those measures which hat-
in the national consolidation school of politics, and especially tl
famous American system, which he believed to be hostile to Hie
and the genius of our political system, and the real souice of
orders and dangers to which the countiy wms, or had been, subject,
he was for giving the government a fresh departure, in tlie directit
Jefferson and his associates would give it, were tliey now alive and :
He stood where he had always stood, on the old State ri.ghts .g]
change of personal relation, w'hich .gave so much concern to tlie
far from involving any change in his principles or doctrines, g
them."
° The declaration of Mr. Calhoun that he was induced
my Administration, then in the third year of its exis
course of which he had minutely watched under the in
extreme prejudice, by his desire to co-operate in a system
ures designed and well calculated “ to obliterate all nicasu
had originated in the National Consolidation school of
which he believed to be “the real source of all the disc
dangers to which the Country was or had been subject,-
give the Government a fresh departure in the direction
Jefferson and his associates would give were the.y now
at the helm,” was certainly a compliment of great vali
from such a source. motives in settling and pron
course could not have been more ably or truly delineated,
the same debate wanting in a marked expression of person
from Mr. Clay towards myself even whilst he censured Mi*
for supporting my policy. At the very commencement <
raignment of that gentleman for his desertion of the W1
after repeating some violent speeches about me which Ik
upon him, he thus spoke for himself :
Who, Mr. President, are the most conspicuous ot* those who pe
pressed this bill upon Congress and the American people? Its drj
distinguished gentleman in the white house not far olf (iUr. Van ]
indorser is the distinguished senator from South (.Carolina, here pix's
the drawer thinks of the indorser, his cautious reserve and stii
r->revent us from knowing. But the frankness of the indorser has
in the same ignorance with respect to his opinion of the drawer. H
expressed it upon the floor of the Senate. On an occasion not v(
denying him any of the noble qualities of the royal beast of the
attributed to him those which belomr to the most era f tv. most
AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF MARTIK VAIST BUREN'.
chief magistrate of a great people, a generous and liberal hospitality. An a
quaintaiice with him of more than twenty years’ duration has inspired n
with a respect for the man, although, I regret to be compelled to say, I dete;
the magistrate.^
The word ‘detest’ expressed without doubt the Speaker’s dii
approbation of my official conduct with exaggerated emphasis ^
an offset, for the gTatification of his followers, to the personal con
pliment; which latter seems indeed a bold and hazardous explo
when one recalls the descriptions of the desperate wickedness <
my political designs with which Mr. Clay and his associate oratoi
had long labored to excite the Country. It is apparent that 1
felt the political necessity of taking back with one hand what 1
bestowed liberally and genially with the other.
I invited Mr. Calhoun to my table and he and his family fri
quently broke bread with me, our intercourse at once assuming
friendly and familiar footing. I felt that he had made me tl
amende honorahle in the face of the Country and in a way wholl
free from exception. The prejudices I had naturally imbibe
against him on account of previous transactions were as elfectiiall
wiped from my mind as if they had never existed. He supporte
my Administration during the residue of my term and his Stai
gave its vote in favor of my reelection — ^that being the first time i
twelve years that she had voted for the Democratic candidate. Will
drawn from Washington by the loss of the election I never saw M
Calhoun again, but nothing occurred to give a character to oui: pe;
sonal relations different from that which we had ourselves given i
them, until the time ap]iroached for the designation of the Dem<
cratic candidate for President for the election of 1844.
It was perhaps not surprising that Mr. Calhoun should, und(
the circumstances I have narrated, not only have thought himse
entitled to the nomination but have also thought that I ought n(
to permit my name to be brought forwaixl in opposition to hiii
He was slightly my senior in age and altho’ not earlier in tl
political field had much sooner become conspicuous in Federal pol
tics than myself and had been twenty years before supported fc
the Presidency by a respectable section of the party. If for
season at variance with a majority of its members, he had returne
a94
AM KIUt'A.V H IS'roint’AL ASS« h *1 \ riu x
ilieu Miouglit of llic laller save a> a laisv apptiraiii
fe-w eviiu'ed n prefeivtiee fca* Mia (’allioinrs nna
first plaaa It tunual out, on tia* tamtrary, tliai
party— (‘(u*t a inly two thirds and pi-ohahly tlina* Umi
Ixuvs -™(*onsid(‘rin<>' that they had, in Ixhh wlih ah ^
approved the principles u|)on whieh I had a<lnrun
(‘ruinent, a!ul had, w'itli eijual accdiah nonnnati‘d im
and that. I had been dtdVated ahno-t. vvithoni r
soundness or unsouinhuvss of tfio.-e prim’iph*'. luit 1
mentalities and d(‘baun<•lu‘rit^s <*f a polit ira } >al urnal
son and justice had Irmui <h‘ridetl, deenti‘d ii tlua
th(‘ir caiisi‘ that tlu^ ri‘[)i’oai‘h td‘ tliat detVat . ivnidti
thi‘y had reeovi‘rt‘d theii* asctunhuu’y in tin* poptdai
or.e’anizalion similar to that vvldieh had hern uhj:
i hat this d(‘sirahh‘ o!pt‘<*i re<[nin‘d my noininatiun.
of tliat. o[)inion ptuxmal pndVrenees n[j[H'ai‘ \i>
W(‘io'ht. "Fhey wnv. (lie exprt‘,-.--ioii td’ thi* r-tuiviei
party in respect to what, ua^ dm* to iiun eh:
poriant. t(> it^ future uod’ulness and . tieh a deri, i
to ri‘spi‘t‘l ami aepuii s’eare on the n;ii’i of tla* mim
riydij to withhold niy consent to tiu* :uiiou hy wli
to (‘tlVct. th:M ohjeet wh(*n sati; died thal if I’oiir e
miiu‘d mx)!! fairly and its wi. he : ninni iak.ihly j
li‘tt(*r was a<l<iressi‘d to lut* at an earlv period In
Mr. lf<‘ury Horn, a dist int^nislu^d deinoerat fron
calling for my d(*i'i»ion of that very que iioa.
and it couhl have been im oilier, that, whil f 1 wotii
to (promote my own mmdn.at itm, I vvouhl not deny
name to tin* I)<*iaoerat !«‘ party if it wa requinni
w as puhlisiuMld
Mr. ( alhoiui was (qipo-eii tn my r«*nomin:il ion, :i
thi‘ tield to dtdVaf it. din* liixf intiumtion I hml of
tion wa-. th*ri\(a| thnaiirh a r:imily ntWiiv :!nd w :t
eoimt less (‘<m\in<*in^* to my ndnd. In the winfrr o
(lie S<mth and was en^:a,evd to [la-. :i few ut-el, ;
(d* Hoi. Sin^detoip in S<>iifh tMrolina: that /.qmi Ic
expected from day to day and Ms non-arrival gave rise to nr
disappointment and to various conjectures as to its cause. I
not think proper to enlighten my worthy host, altho’ I well imc
stood the circumstance to be an evidence of Mr. Calhoun’s de
mination, and however I might and did deprecate a new rupt
in that quarter I could only regi*et it. Mr. Calhoun’s friends
Charleston, in addition to many other acts of unaffected perse
kindness, united with some gentlemen who were politically \
disposed toveards me, independently of his views, in inviting
to a public dinner which I declined, in conformity with my
variable practice. He continued his opposition in various wi
one of which will necessarily be referred to in spealring of aiiof
matter, until my name was withdrawn from the National Com
tiou when his friends, who had until that time attended it as s]
tators, had their names entered as delegates from South Caro'
and took part in its action.
Whilst it would be idle to deny that the agreeable feelings exc
b,y the reconciliation which had succeeded to many years of enm
between Mr. Calhoun and myself, were somewhat blunted by tl
transactions I still do myself the justice to say that they were
eradicated. I could not with justice impute to him much hh
after his long and, having regard to what is considered the iclt
TJmle of political life, adverse career, for wisliing to prever
nomination the defeat of which ° might enure to his own adva
ment, and I knew of no steps taken by him to promote his wi;
the employment of which would not, as the world goes, have I
deemed allowable. I saw therefore no cause of personal host:
in his course neither was any such feeling engendered in my br(
altliough, from 1844 to the period of his death, there was no ir
course between ns.
This whole affair was X3erhaps as satisfactoidly disposed o;
could be expected among eager and excited x>oliticians. All
remains to be done in respect to it and to kindred matters (
common origin, such as nullification and the rejection of my n
ination as Minister to England, none of which would, in all p
ability, have ever arisen, certainly not at that time, but for
Eaton imbrof/Uo^ and in most of which Mr. Calhoun was a pr<
nent actor, is that the facts in respect to them should he well as
tained and correctly recorded.
® MS. IV, p. 60.
AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF MARTIIT VAiST BUREl^. 35
I am speaking, without ground of complaint on the part of an
Altho’ m}^ narrative combines the disadvantages of being told by
party interested in the scenes I describe, with the advantages -
having been a contemporary and eye witness, I aim only to do justi
on all sides under the guidance of the first and fundamental law
history as declared by Cicero, that it should neither dare to sj
anything that is false, nor fear to say anything that is true
The “Plot” having exploded, the brochure got up by the Co
gressional printer (Duff Green) and hawked about by Congression
messengers, lay on public and private tables a Caput mortuu
exciting little feeling other than pity for the weakness in whii
it was engendered. I might be pardoned a momentary feeling
exaltation when I saw my bitter and remorseless enemies strugglh
in the toils which they had prepared for my destruction ; I certain
had I'eason to rejoice that so fitting an opportunity had been pi
sented to place my conduct — ^such as it really had been on an occasi(
wliich might have offered strong temptations to an intriguing po!
tician — fairly before the Country and to contrast it with the u
tiring machinations against me. This was a point of peculi
importance, as the efforts to fasten impi^essions upon the popul
mind of a capacity and disposition on my part for |)olitical intrig
had met with a greater degree of success than had attended oth
calumnious assaults upon my character, and to have the falsity
charges of this descrijition so satisfactorily demonstrated at a no
ment when those impressions w’^ere upon the point of doing me t
greatest harm was both useful and gratifying.
N’or was the prospect of the personal and political advantages
be derived from my continuance in office without allurements. T
Eaton affair, which had been the plague spot of Administration di
ing two years past, had lost its interest or suffered eclipse, and offer
no further embarrassment which might not be ended, if it becai
expedient, by sending the immediate parties on a foreign mission,
was afterwards done, and the so considered refractory members
the Cabinet might have been left in possession of the pageantry
their official positions so long as they did not, by complicity with
enemies, obstruct the course of the Administration, or they mig
have been dismissed, without the slightest disturbance, when th
editor (.filu' T,l,.!nii<h hn/.urdrd ootlmio in :>> mv :d-iit n.o h\ h
he h(»n(‘silv ludicved to he true. !.m tm ooner Ind uur h.-' U d.' 1:1!'.
in l\u-ni hy .Mr. (’nilioim liiuu m> de ire i.. |,rreijut ite ih,. i e
in ree'urd'to the Mie.'e>Mou and lov iii!ri...iie t.. .••'Uie i.o. ..v.!i ei
vation at the eiul of (ien. daek on’ tir I t.'no v,,'n- hi ^ .I nh ! e-ee
Wlieu I come to .-peak of ui\ tir'-l nomiuation |..i i' ,- I’n- id.-u.
1 will have oeea.-ion to refer t<. eiiviim - Hliieit v.dl [d:.,..' i.
entire eonrM‘ iilion thi^ -.uhje.'t heyoiid llie r.o.-h ol .'.o. li. M:!
it wa.s not in hi.-' pitwer to lay hi - hand upon a hivl .u' .-luoi lo
of evi(leiu‘(‘ to hlnnv that lav t'otaltai ?ipHH iho fMimi in tfiir t'h-o .o.
varied iti tin* sli.a'htf t yrt hi . \ sou hi mv. o uto n
liavin^^ elum^al atul ihv peri»Hl iia\iur nrrixnd f^r i\H> .ir udrtpiiir-
of projoct^. wliieh hail hinai for oiuo tsuio in | .ivpj r.i! imo . f ,Uo a
.s(*no(^ and iiuleia! non t*\i ttf |»rotfl made iso tli ll.-rne *’ :md
kiuuv that it would nndit* uo ditloremt* m tnturv . sfliii uiih u
or with thi' aHiliahal prt* o tti uhieh ho p*‘ko l*» Mi. Mmi* m
or with the op|»odtion prt‘ in iMmeral. ‘Thm wa iho i snl s
o;round from whii’li tin* attaek . of all ueiv in h»> lu.ide tn ih.* «-
of tln^ war, uhieh if the oouend lM>nhi l»e sr ‘dr- iod and o.. :
livi‘ -o louu. wae to !a i for a ptwitnl (tt !\ wen ; .» •ona- .l :
.sti'<‘nii1h ami elUeaey of whieh u»ae hkrlv !•» ho ..n, i oaii
e!-(‘aMMl durinii: that interval h\ the addltistn of new a .pnan! .
the Pri'sidenev fnsin our ou n rank’, aiet to Ih* In onrhf In h^ ii nf*
(kni;i,’r(‘s>, the pn* o tlie pi‘opl«’ and ulinauer » l *■ h .i pii.u
ini<i:ht. hopi* to di>eo\ei* I’sn'rnit .. In my oordnd ao s em i*. h» ;
madt!i the i‘uiea* <st >n(’!i a warfare upon ths** \*lmnn nateei <4 if
honeM (shl man who liad tlevot*‘ti the rt*uman! <4 In . hir ;i,
.strength to the puhlie o*rvi<a* uml npmt tfi** initn.’ I *4' iho t nrnil
eommit.tial to hi', ehari/e, the idea m ioiuatrd *4 o* apiiinj,**' fet' hs
<dliei‘ to whii'h I had been appointed. M\ nM|im*i lefr v. a i!<uil»f|
int‘reasi‘d MUi-ihly hy the reihH'ti«»n that I h.nl !ir**n tla-
.similar assault -! hefoi'e I eame to \Vu liii44onmttid fintf I h-'d h a|
hy the ehanp* in my fielil of aetion to tluatw otl tin* homid In, v
ptu’sonal eharm'tiu* i^ hnnt<at ds»wn. I wji'. for maii\ w-.o- , * i
in tile seiw'ii'e of my state per'd-.tent !y eharyrd uith sullunaMia;
ac‘tion of tin* appointin^r power for my 'O'Wii a.d ah-a
was thorou;j:hl\" <‘onseious that- tlien* \\a n*4 .asr Ahami^; nn. r..f.
porari(‘s who estimated a- linhily a ! did lin^ id oi m .ie*’ nf
applianes/s, or v\!hs wa more di iie’lmad h\ ta o- and h\ j-ahMo
than inyaelf to mtshlh* in th<‘in. .Surh jnr.*- a.iit t i.«4":.iiiia-:i a -rt a-d'
to till* thou-and vexation- to whii*h oliinia-l ..tatioii i, lafanwi n
400
AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION.
from what they saw of me in public, but which nevertl
me at times heartily sick of public life; so much so t
determined, during successive winters, to throw up the o:
in the spring and to confine my future exertions to my
These resolutions as they were from time to time form<
subject of discussions in my family and occasionally co]
to my friends; the latter however did not believe in i
had perhaps no right to expect them to do so as, thro’
easily appreciated than described, I myself had so oi
dieted iny professions by my action when the time
carrying them into effect. They \vere notwithstanding
cere. Of the frequent occasions on which I was thu
inclined ’ one occurs to my recollection as I write to v
refer. "W^iilst holding the offices of State Senator an
General, I was one afternoon about to return to A
Schenectady whither I had been called by business. I fo
Aaron Burr at the hotel enquiring for a conveyance to
as I travelled in my own carriage I offered him a seat,
was after his return from Europe and when his fortu
their lowest ebb. Our drive occupied us till a late hour
ing during which I was entertained much by his free,
characteristic observations. Whilst somiding me in re,
jmlitical expectations, of which he was pleased to say
tary things, I surprised him by the remark that I thoug]
up politics and of devoting myself to my profession an
that view I meant to resign my place in the Senate in
spring. He was curious to know my reasons and I gave
spirit I have here indicated. After a brief reflection h
Sir ! you have gone too far to retreat. The only alte
to you is to kiciv or to be kicked, and as you are not :
to prefer the latter you will not resign !”
CHAPTER XXIX.
My career in State politics had been in general successful and in t
end signally such. After competing for a quarter of a century, t
greater part of the time as the undisputed leader of my party in i
County and State, with such men as De Witt Clinton, Ambrc
Spencer, Abraham Van Vechten, William W. and William P. V
Ness, Elisha Williams, Thomas P. Grosvenor, Thomas J. OakL
John Duer, Chancellor Jones, David B. Ogden, Harry Croswe
Solomon Southwick and William Golden, onutatis mutandis^ I L
the service of the State for that of the Federal Government w3
my friends in full and almost unquestioned possession of the St?
Government in all its branches, at peace with each other and ov<
flowing with kindly feelings towards myself, and not without ho
that I might in the sequel by good conduct be able to realize simi^
results in the enlarged sphere of action to which I was called,
soon found, howevei", that in respect to the practicability of carryi
into effect the best intentions there was a peculiar difference 1
tween the two systems, which young Statesmen will do well to b<
in mind. Whilst the public functionary connected with the St?
Government acts almost under the eyes of and in constant inti
course with those who are the judges of his actions and consequen
has full opportunity to enable them to appreciate his motives, unc
the General Government the actions of the oiScial are, with ve
few exceptions, to be passed upon by men a vast majority of wh*
can have no personal knowledge on the subject and who must wei
his conduct at a distance and decide from report. Having lean
to estimate at its true value this important distinction and c(
vinced by experience and observation of the aggravated effects wh
it promised to long continued harping, upon the old theme, e\
false as it was, I felt that my success was at least doubtful. It shoi
be borne in mind that in the days when this conclusion was arri^
at resnect was vet maintained for the oblip-ation of Government
Having accepted a high and responsible official trust, ]
conscious that I was not at liberty to permit personal con
to control my course in resigning it, and I certainly did
to do so. The success of Gen. Jackson’s Administratic
own tranquillity and comfort were to be promoted, in my
by that step, nevertheless views and considerations of sel
themselves in ail my deliberations in regard to it; it W8
sible to exclude them altogether and to say how far I was
by them would require a greater proficiency in self -know
I pretend to. They at aJl events mitigated the sacrifice i
the course on which I decided when stimulated afresh by
intrigues and calumnies by which I had been for two
rounded, I recurred to my often formed and often abanc
liition to retire from the political field.
This is as full and as correct a view as it is, at this h
my power to give of the opinions and feelings under v
signed the office of Secretary of State, a step which, fron
at the time entirely unexpected, produced much excitem
my opponents found or affected to find impossible to co
and which my friends did me the honor to regret. It 1
to me, under present circiunstances, proper to give it,
may be deemed of a nature to attract approval or disa|
qualifj?^, or to confirm the opinion heretofore formed of n
on the occasion.
The only inmate of my household at the time, besides th
was my son Colonel Van Buren, to° whom alone I confi(
tention and who after hearing my reasons, unhesitatingly
in them, notwithstanding the professional and social i
which he derived from my official position and residence
surrounded him with strong inducements to regret the f
about to take. A fit occasion- to break the matter to the
was only waited for and that I looked to find during (
frequent rides. Several however occurred and passed I
my having had the heart to broach the subject and as
from each with the business undisposed of I was recei's
good humoured laugh at my expense by my son. My
arose exclusively from my apprehension, I may say coi
of the pain the communication would give to the Genera
occasion we were overtaken by a severe thunder storm v
pelled us to take shelter in a small tavern near the race c
to remain there several hours. His spirits were on that
cm.rl ATT lAlTT* Wa V Ollt llA ST>okp. fepllTKylv nf
, hio-ii.T lip.*!' nu> .•uKum. ia ... ^
uiivr.-a m..iv rt'.i., ■’‘-'-■■i;'"'- "■ ' ■!■', "
whtrh ni-i' IU..1V inkiii'. i-. v u-. ..ft.i.- hi.i I -.n.
that n.'t a
limp nf
liiT (if it.
Uut tin
lufiuory h
tn him .lufiiu,* "'H'
jiiiniiMr r»
V. lin hS'
Wlu‘M tlr*
r.iiii
n« tU !“*
his
ri|.l“ ■) -
hi 1 rihrr.
1 u.:
him i«i r>
; I;»v ' ’ V.:il ‘'t
UsSi'.'ll t»l
f'l iifi f.ii’in
1,‘iJ u> Hi*'
’1, ^
i. U'*- H»
ill tia- r«'-i
i^xrlainn'il h » ■ i' p'* ■
ti,:a 1 aia II..I 1 ■•■ii'! !’ ■ ■' M""i 'J'
\i'i fi ,11!' 1 .1 li ial.'. I .'i "'.
‘i,., ,K.u, 1,. In- ' " - ! ! ■> ■ 'k " 1
ti-lif.- ; I' III. 'll 1 111..! ‘ i>'»i I" .I. :'."* i'- it 1..-
lUil'tii.-r ill - *• .aip.' 'l-.ui a '.I'*., if :■ V . ..in;, 'V
t'iri.niu taiii'i' , VM-riliy .P i. ii-'h . 'i i'i ;<
ciih-Itl.'! Itf illi.'. 'lay 1'“!' ’k" <..■>-.•! 'I . ^ ' 1. n,,. ,.!
In lullin' lln* c .!n li . ' ' II i.’ilf i 'll I •’>■ ■“ n* '
\V»' ..ul.M'.|Uf!ltly tail. 'll .'.lila r f' III I nil i"
tti'iitliiM- 1.. ht '"ir '■.Hir .' ly- ! i i . k n-
tnWIl i mi ,'l! ‘ 111.’ .‘i iliV I- lll.'l n-" ;! !
Inlnnk r..r it. < >ii i nt .ifl.'i t'.l. a'"
t.l U .'llli.tjl i" '.■'.■I't'ti.'' IIIV , nil 1 . i.'ll I
tlu' -ul.j.'.'t .,f mv 1-,' '..'I 1'. Imn !"H' ^11' '
ill..' tVnUl til.' l’..t,,i., , ' "'1 ■ I'-mii!.. I"'--
404 AMERICAl^ HISTORTCAL ASSOGIATIOIT.
I was myself not a little confused by the wanutli anc
of his exclamation, but after a few moments of silenc
pose my thoug’hts I returned to the subject. His express]
as it was natural they should in the fii'st instance, to
aspect and bearing of the suggestion. The idea presc
mind was that of sacrificing his friend to appease the c
enemies than which nothing could be more revolting to
I therefore hastened to say that my faith in the extent d
of his friendship had no limits — ^that I knew as well as
thing that he would sooner endure any degree of person
injustice and persecution than consent to my leaving’' the
any object or for any reasons save such as were by the ol
honor and of patriotism made binding upon both of
would immediately peixeive that our personal feelings f
were not worthy of consideration, under the circumstaiii
we found ourselves, when compared with the greater
what we both and especially what, from. the higher chai
trusts he had assumed, he owed to the Country and tx
whose agents we were. Undoubtedly there were many an
points to be calmly and carefully reviewed before we c(
arrive at a correct conclusion on the main question, jit
him that I had not ventured to disturb his feelings by tb
I had made without having long and anxiously cons
every possible aspect and that, if he would give me Ji pat
I thought I could satisfy him that the course I had po
perhaps the only safe one open to us. He agreed to 1
in a manner and in terms affording small encouragemc
success of my argument. I proceeded for four hours,
only to brief interrogations from him, to present in de
sons upon which my suggestion was founded, extending
and, as far as I was able, a clear review of the public i
of our own duties and feelings involved in the matter. 1
of it we passed without notice the Tenally Town gjite, a
the limit of our rides in that direction, and did not reacl
long after our usual dinner hour. He heard me tlirough
with patience but with deep interest. In returning he as
were my own views, as to the future, if he should accept
AT V OK MAUTIN VAX BUMKXX
of ra!*ryin^»: oui lii-. if lu* should ptu'sisi- in (hem, and (dt
llu‘U (U' >nh 4H|iu‘Ut!y I hroutrhl <0 his n(>ti(H‘ niy inulersiaiidiniic <d‘
ai-iA'plauKu of that appoinl uu*n( as a viiiual ahaiulonnuad. of t
aX|H‘rtation or ho|>i‘ my frirnds mi^ld otluu'wisi* imicuiain on
suhjiH’t <d’ my arrt‘ssi(m to tlie Prrsidcmcy. 1 lH‘i»'i»;ed liim not.
•^|H*ak of my proposed n*si«ruation to any piu'scHu not cxia^pt
lanvis ami Katom as it would he very undesirahlt* to have it known
came cd’ faihuan that sueh a. wish had been eutertaiiuHl. lie took
hand, at parting, and said tluit I had j^ivon him inueh to think
u!id that 1 must t‘ome over after dinner and discuss tlie sul^j
again delil>erately.
I had an engagcmumt. for the (‘Vcuiing hut promised to siu' 1
in tlu‘ mornitig. W’hen I called at. tlie White House, on tlie foll<
ing day my mind was not fn‘e from serious misgivings, Tim Ih*(
dcrnt had from tlie ingmuiousness of his nature scorned to yield
tlu* obvious fcu’ct‘ of flu^ truth as 1 had spread it Indore him, I
his. coure .ions had Inam so evichmtly against, his imdinations t
1 fiscrcMl thc‘y wotdd not hc^ found to have k(‘pt. their ground tl
tlu' watcdie (d‘ tin* night. 1 had no soomu* tmku'tal his room i\
1 saw a <'<udirniat ion <d’ my apprtdumsions in tlu‘ usual signs; o
slcH'pnisss niiiht, and on my (*xprrssing a hopc‘ (hat tlu^ prccpritMy
my iigre tion the* previou, day had Inam stnmgtlunual in liis opin
l»y uh cM|UrMt n*!!tM’t ion lu* rc'gardcal me with an (expression of co
tcmaiH’c* ihjI imh'cd indicative (d’ ang(‘r or cxc^itcaiumt hut: on tlu^. c
trarv nmi ually formal and passionhsss, ami said ‘‘"Mr. \hm Bui
d ha\c^ m.ade it a rule tlind life mwm* to throw' olistmdt^s in tin* v
of any man who, for rtamons sat isfnedory to himsedf, dcsiiass to h‘
tm\ and 1 :dmll not mak(‘ your case an e»xcc|>tiond'' Without giv
him time to say more, I rose from my chair and standing dirct
hidnrc' him n‘piical in snhdama* that tlu^ mattm’ had (alum tin* ti
I uhj t hsirml and (la* apprchtmsioii cd’ which had so oftem deter
me from hroac'hing it : that he had allowed Idmself undiu* the
eitejiienf,‘ ami mnharra-’'iuent> <d* tlu‘ moimml to snsptad: that 1 ^
iidliicneed by aid i('i|>at ion *. <»f the failure* of liis Administ ration 5
hy a wish to i‘sejip(» in seaison fr<un the* (‘onse(juemc(*s ; that- in t
lie had wronge‘d my disposition and entin^ly mise*om’e*ive*d my i
fives: ‘ that I liad neveu' felt wi'-h more strongly than I wislaal tl
406
AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION.
that you are satisfied that it is best for us to part. I sh:
stay Avith you, but, feeling that I have now performed
duty in this particular, I shall stay with pleasure and pe
alacrity whatever it may become proper for me to do.”
my hand, and exclaimed You must forgive me, my fri
been too hasty in my conclusions — I know I have — say no
it now, but come back at one o’clock — ^we will take ai
ride and talk again in a better and calmer state of mind
him with his usual punctuality already mounted at tl
pointed. We went again over the whole >subject — ^lie takii
and I contenting myself with fidl answers to his in
pressing nothing. On our return he asked my permiss
suit with Post Master General Barry to which I agree
similar consent in respect to Major Eaton and Lewis. On
ing day he told mo that they had considered the mati
and had all come to the conclusion that I was right; tha
to be with him in the evening and he wished me to join th
leaving home I ordered supper to be prepared intendii
them back with me, and after an hour or two Avith th
we adjourned to my house. Up to this time tlie idea
resignation had not been thought of by any one a
knew or had reason to believe. It was a consummation
be wished but one I would have assumed to be hopeless t
reason, I suppose, had never given it a moment’s enterta
such would have continued to* l)e the case if my attention 1
called to it by himself. Moreover I never doubted, as
Avhere said and as the re.sult proved, that my resigm
disarm hostility to liim and Avould thus answer ever
purpose. On the Avay to rny house the Secretary of W
stoiiped us and addressed ns nearly in these words:
this is all wrong ! Here we have a Cabinet so remarkabl
reciuired all of the General’s force of character to carr
there is but one man in it Avho is entirely lit for liis pi
are about consenting that he should leaA’-e it!” Eaton’s c
disposition and blunt style left no doubt tliat he said e;
he thought, but the only ansAATu* he received Avas a loud
the rest of the party. After getting within doors he
S' Ol- SIAlll’iN \ AX lU'lIKX.
he svas t!u‘ |H‘r on svho ou<i'hi to I'f-ia'in il' any ont\ tiial he s\
do >o in ans" i'sont. 1 then e\eii-fi! HiV ell on’ Innino' oni
to ntjtiei* In'- |»n*\iou-. ini iinat ion-, on uie .‘ri'ountl lhal ;!> his i
Mnli<ai had not heiai s|H»ken of or ihoii*i;hi oi Indore. I li:id rey'ii
ills remark as a inatter of eisility io msseiih hut ii heimr
evident that !n‘ was i?i (‘anu-t I said he nm.l [uTmit nu‘ to
whilst knowing; tliai lu‘ would do in the im-ine.'S uliat lit* tin
proper, whal Mrs. Kaioii \v<udt| think <»!’ sueh a movement i
propostul, Ht' answm'tnl prtuuptly that la* knew .‘In* wouhl h
approve of it. We then disetissed the Ihu** itkmt .s prohahle
p(Ksition ill repinl to it, aiul it was upon my su^r^nMton, am
tliut. we should meet a^'ain at suppmy at- my iiottse; tlu^ next evi
and that' Major hiatou .* houhl iti tie* mean liiiu^ talk tht‘ matter
with his wife ami report to us. His ndau’t Itdly eouilrme^
^^a^emen^. and it. w’as fortliuiih ayrerd that we : hould both l
with ( uMUUxd daeksonV. iaurimt, \v!iic*h was ohtalnia! on Iht
lowing’ <iay. HatoiTs i\‘dn/nat ion \va > dattsl Indore mim* he
he preferred to have it ,t>, latt thi is a em-j-eei nari’atiit* o
mitiiH* pro«'et*d i ms'. 1 promised the Ih’e hlent to aecrpt, th«* Im
M i ioii if I did not alt«*r eon ulfliiy; s.ith my Irieml . ysw
r at i' faetorv rea on for deeliniinr it, ami arnoim; my eorre .p(m
will he foUUil some hater Iroin tlnan npoij the nhjeet. 1
h‘tter id’ I'i* iirna t loll * I plaeed tie* dep upon tlie yrouiids 1
t-H forllu rayino; in etfeet that the iliillenlt ie and (*mharra
u lui'li I i|e,s*rilH*» I i’oiild in nt> way hr aotirn rid <d Mve li
re iLptatioin or ili fi-anehi euumt that ua . h\ deelanny, m a
ner to olitain belief and to seeiire eoutpliaiieix that I Would
no I'i rruue’.t a nrt*>. ai’eept tin* olliei* <d Pi'e ident, detdaialions
all t4!u*r eom iilmadion apart, I did not think il Inn'ominyc
to maki*: a rdatemeut whieh my ui»ponenf alheied to tind ill
to i’ompreliemh
Solus* time afttu* our re iruiaiism ws*is* puhrr.la‘d ac'<*onli
Tuv ri‘«'on**t*t i<m jn ! ht‘fore my sk*partnrt‘ tr<»in Washinyton am
emui^di nftm* lier hur hamrN n'limiui,* !mM*nt of ckhef^ Io mak«‘ In*
>ihli^ <d* ilu^ c!iau|!it‘ in Iu*r p** Ition, iJa* Pn.* idmit. am! m\ eli !i
tnxteUikH! otir walk as far a : the re id<mei* of Mr . !xat<m, paiil
\i<it. (hir n*e<‘p!ion wa-. to the la t dt*m's‘s* torma! ami eols
r 1 1
408 .v.\n-.i:n. ‘.w ii i<r* »i:i« * \ ! , h -i
was that nl a pa-'iitji’ fnaiL jiiatu!"«'*l fHi ii
fairlv qiiittial flu* Iumim*. i ai4 in an ****yip.i!;
sunu' uii^talu* luTt*." His niilv ruph
shrujLi*. As (lu‘ |opi(’ wa. nn\in!!-.i\ iiMi a!ir,i
hut { was .nat i-4it*<l (hat mn* intriwirw
<‘<in\iiu-(‘ him that in hi . p.a.*.| mi lu r a
overratiul lu*r own -tai ilhliru’-.
\ 1 1 . ^ \ .
h w I
if
iiatl
Ti aim
CHAPTER XXX.
Among the interesting and critical questions encountered by
Administration of Gen. Jackson, altho’ not disposed of before I
Washington, the most important was that involved in the princ
of nullification set up by South Carolina and acted upon by
State to an alarming extent but finally abandoned in consequenc
the firm stand taken by the Federal Government under the direc
of the President. To do justice to the principal actors on both s
of that profoundly exciting question it is necessary to look back
only to the opening scenes of the Administration but to a still eai
period. Mr. Calhoun was without doubt deeply moved on the sul
of the tariff laws and particularly so during the year 1828, w'
was that of the election of Gen. Jackson to the Presidency and
of the extravagant tariff bill passed the preceding winter. I
op]3ortunities to witness the extent and to become satisfied of
sincerity of his solicitude. He walked me again and again arc
the Capitol and through the streets of Washington, after it
known that I intended to resign my seat in the Senate to becor
candidate of the office of Governor of New York, pressing the
ject on my attention and evincing, as I thought, a morbid sensib:
in regard to it.
With my hands tied by the instructions and well undersi
sense of my State, notwithstanding my individual repugnance to
whole system I could only inculcate patience and forbearance, ad
which it was very evident fell upon unwilling ears. He was do
less at that time brooding over some energetic movement by wj
the then course of legislation might be arrested in a way in wj
he would be less harassed by difficulties arising from his ovm
action on the subject.
Democratic Administrations have always found the tariff a
of the su!>ji*si. flio<o A* ioi'nii ■ f s'lri* ^ f*' »novr
(':iuf-iiUi, aiul if noihiiuLi’ ha<l < i liiouro flir o.irin**!
lilts |n*i*\ iofis to tht' (‘loot ion ioai. .faok *'ii Mr.
thi‘\' waaUil havi^ oXt*rto(L wil honf >h»iihi, a iv- i ra ;}!:!,•* !
upon" tlu‘ inovianoiit-^ <^f l!it‘ lattoi-, t'Mmno'' iiiio in. t»!lirr
r^rosidtoit as tluM‘X[HH*foil sut‘00- {in* rn' ■
( oL H(*utou alllrias, as (»f !iis own know Inth/n, fh.it iim.
(lion n^irai’tliMl liiin. lint tininHiifiatoiy ior«‘\**rv iiii* ii* f »0'
(litlVnau’i‘ lH‘IWiaai tluan arost* af fhr ihriv h«'kl of tho < nsa r,
t‘rnnu‘nt. I'lavaa alfla*’ fonipaiaih \ ?■! \ Inahf a! lu' I, !*-<
l»;radnal huf. sti*ady inai’oaao tnan wall kiio-^!i raiJi .a , loirJ ti
(liU’i'il a thiiroiia-h t*s{ I'anLa-iooin and in il'a* rpiiaj .opphtnf
undis^LTiiisod lHatili{\ a onaa ardant friand inp. Mr. i .do*
ill {hf siaa’tos td’ tha Adlmini .frafinn I'i'rv. I'.t'j';. d ir 1'
a sfafe of t hilur ^ arri \ I'd uudar v\!ji*'h to: »*ha.!n*r‘ !>a' fin*
sianuad oid v praatioahk* tlir«an»’h ftn* «<\ » !1 lirow m| t h-a p» r.* ,
ha had hnan in.^ianoant al in iuinonn' oifM r \ : f ♦ .la l i
^utl*^alion dollhllass inflnanaad, parhap n. ij.f i . ' -d li; ! -f -
UHHuant. I la \ inir as ha t liou'dii , and a I in i » h
for ihi^ par.'a\ (‘.riiiL*' lanplovniaiit of a!! »-Mn i h i:o* iiail lordjod
oVi‘ilhro\\ of a rV'-tmi uhah at tli.o p^aanl ‘id f. * s.' a,* d f
init (d' in ill a iaa ht* ri‘a' od (o aa-’tstipl! ’ d d'‘ 1 1 ' *‘"f . <ji it :.i
am! hv ail (ha lunan In* »’oiild aonoirtiid.
In f ha d afa id'inind to u hiali ha tan I ! utO hfournh! n h »ii«
ini:* o\ar fha a\il:' whiah, in hi t»pjni‘'i!» ‘'pp'* »'d i;
tha aountry, and whiah . aalord !o hf.-j^Uio r.rps d.t’. L,i,n
ai’ahkn and nni’a ( raini‘d for lha ra.s on ! fiao- niu-n !*i i
{amp!ati«»n of fh«* Ini/.ard- to vdm h ^loln t im ■ /:!«■ V:>.ok
ins poliiiaal pro--prai ,, ha dralitiad !o oouj -iOio lisa di an. i- •
point- iinohfd in t la* pri»t«*at i\ r poPr_i f.. o.o* ih,.- ,,
liopah‘-s (d' a(tn\inainp tha niajoihfy of h. iujiri.^r a,nd
diana^S hilt pronouiiaad tha ai'ntaoanl r'Ji,iii l -d .md tlijj |
ralnady, rJiorf of ro^.diition, wa fo ht‘ hailed in Man- a.!,,,
a aolld rUii ion tif tha hadi'I'a! ( on -I if u ! .i"{i ihni rd f‘a' far
hut' wliiah was ahtiioad fo h.ur h*'oii a -n-d np*ni
MinH*«l that no rainodial na’a-ura aouhl n,« fd:. i?i b.,ii>
ndsrdou to {haaiilH’.-a of Irpi laflon on l!t*' ■ nhj.'rf. I .lin'd
in tlia iiu'id <d' oiir sahn atjnan! axpariainan !iow wroiiM' ^ |
and liou tmwio’ tiu-^ mdion. Ilia prospaaf t»f un-r hi, |
anaa in tha ;ir|i'!uni-nt wa--. j*artaiidy ii**! n^rv h'^
not liopaias-. 'I‘ha rlii'ht .“-ida of man} prruoo 'mt^p’ na a.ii
.U ' l‘t UUniUlAlM 1 V UI*’ MAiri'iX \'AN in'KI-'/N.
In !1 h‘ priiiri I ih'-* ot rMjuiiv aiul tlu‘ itu'liiiiji'-: of frattM'iiitv \vlii(‘b
fh ai .'fill in tin* lfrna>ts of hi- count I'yiiuai am! (‘asily si
to action, atul coniinini!- iii-; cxtuMitm- within |u‘ac</fu! and c(
tut iofuil limit - he had lU) riaiit to tie-pair n( accompli'-hin;
ithji‘ct and in* ctadtl not have fai!t‘d to acquire hiuh lnuioi
dtirahh* famt^ by his elForts. Idiir 'Ucct*- has ^'iu(’t‘ crowned
tdroriN !u*rt\ whil-t in Kuii'land if has Immui niiu’e .-ipnal :'iill
prntiH’tive policy, wfiieh tiunau at tiie tinu\ diauuetl as \vt‘!
fli‘d as fhi* ptdfu*iple> of MatjUif ('hartti and an itife^ral part <
British ( Vmstitntion, havin*r heett i’oiupleteiy t»veilhr{jwn am
placed ly (wv tratl<‘ uinler the lead of a Sfalt*sman of ^’eniu
eiuu’iry fai' inferior to Mr. (*alh(Huuand ttsiny;: ottly tlu^ wt*ap»
( ’nte4 it ut iotna I ;iy;itation <d' chair and prtielieal demonst rat iot
of cinctu'c and manly appi‘a!.
Ihit in that- dirmuion then* wtrs a limi in Mr. Calhontds
wldtcli lu* <iid tiot posse-s tht* ripht r.<»rt of cour:ty»y to oserconnn
labours <d' tlte char;i<’t<‘r suimrested were liabh* to In* erdVebf'd I
i'on cfousne;. : that he wa - at every : tep obliqed to eat his own wo
an emplounent :-pe»‘ially unpli*a-ant to one who prided hi
upon hi . con i‘%tency. 'riicre W(‘re not manv of hi . <*onti‘mpo
wie> had dom* imire to rctairt* for the policy of profcciiou a
Itle fotitinir in t»nr ^y.•^elu than Mr. t’aHionn. d1u* pn»of «»
fact i . nhnndantly ftirni leal in our public archi\c-. In th
>{H‘ct he : IchhI promin<‘nt anioiui; t Inn-c rcfern‘d by Mr. Haim
of Soiith (*ar»diua, in a lute spet*ch deliven‘d a! ‘ a
qnmt speeeh, tti-a*n‘(‘t ami tnn*, hom*d ami bold InyaHul any ihdi
ill modern days by a S<mtlu‘rn man wlten lu* aid 'Mhe in
infliefcil on the Softtfi ban* lHM*n mainly itifliefed by lier owi
hitioiis faelion and di*. id«‘d ptthlie mend' dliou* ^injurit'S^
l«cen or Iiave iunm o consiih‘n*d l»y Imrself the Bank, Ini
Improvements by the I**eth*t'al < ho t*rnment , llu* !h'otecti\i* s
ami Slavery Aiqlntion. d‘hc hr t atal {nosl disa,..! runs, the
was brotiydn forwan! ly Mr. (hilhotnn a«ivoealed by du^vt**
I^ownden ' and other Southern !i*ad<‘rs, attd finally atietlumMl !t
Madf-rui after it had^ as wa^ lujped, reecived It h^s h
|,rloriruiH casting vob* of a Nhniheris man f leorue ( 'linton,
mdiev of lutctaia! Ininrovement hv the hetli‘ra! <hA'(*nimen
412
AMERICAlSr HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION. .
tern. Tucker,^ a Southern man, was Chairman of the Co
by which it was brought before Congress with so much
1818. Lowndes and a host of inferior Southern lights, sust
and President Monroe yielded, after a struggle, his early i
ter principles for its advancement. Of their agency in behal
protective system, quite as much may be said and of Slav
tation we shall have a more appropriate place to speak, whe:
be seen that even there the force of Mr. Plammond’s declaral
not be found to fail.
If Mr. Calhoun had been blessed in a larger degree with th^
ness of soul which finds gratification in the acknowledg}
error — if he had said, openly and frankly, to his Northern t
I contributed to the introduction of this principle of protect
our legislation, believing that it would work to the general ad
but experience has shown that your section of the Country
advantages from it to which ours can never attain, that it
contrary, enures to our injury, and that it bears within itself i
for its abuse no't at first foreseen but which the love of mo:
always induce those interested to seize upon to make bad W(
with such declarations, the truth of which could not have beer
verted, he had appealed to the justice and fraternal feelings a
gations of the North, perseveringly, in season and out of sc
Cobden appealed to the landed interest of England, he mi
established for himself an enviable renown and for his cause
assurance if not the immediate enjoyment of triumph. But h(
to attach as much importance to being consistent as to being
perhaps more, and a large and an unprofitable share of his
say it with deference to his conceded and unquestionable abilii
spent in defending his successive positions by showing th
sistency with each other. For these and other reasons he wt:
posed to trust himself in the beaten track but sought for
enterprising as well as a more striking course, one which won
top all past discussions and processes relating to this subj
this frame of mind his attention was naturally attracted to tl
ora)ble pi^oceedings of Jefferson, Madison, Taylor of Oarolin
las ^ and their compeers of Virginia and Kentucky in respec
alien and sedition laws, and his ambition, [was] as natural
AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF MARTIU VAN BUBBIT.
to the Statesmen and to the States I have named, and if he i
his associates had adhered to the model by which they claimed
be guided that laudable ambition might have been abundai
gratified.
The anniversary of the birth-day of Thomas Jefferson, a ii
appropriate day if such had been his design, was selected for
commencement of the movements he had in view. The circi
stances under which that day was, for the first time, seized u]
for special commemoration; the extent of the preparations t
were set on foot to give to the proposed festival extraordin
celebrity and the names of the men most prominent in those pi
arations contrasted with the ominous suddenness of their revere
for the memory of Jefferson combined to attract the attention
well informed bystanders and especially of those whose provi
it was to see to the faithful execution of the laws. Neither
President nor myself were inattentive observers of these signs,
made them the subject of frequent conversations. Weighing tl:
in connection with the® ambiguous intimations to me and mor
speculations of Mr. Calhoun in 1828, my mind was strongly
pressed with a belief that some irregular and unauthorized i
ceedings were contemplated which might menace the stability
the Unio3i. We were slow to believe that gentlemen with wl:
the Virginia principles of Ninety Eight had, until quite recen
been in very bad odor would have become on the instant cordis
disposed to cany them out in the pure and catholic spirit in wl
they were originally adopted by that noble old Commonwealth, :
the suspicion was therefore irresistible that it was designed to
the Virginia model and a mask or stalking horse, rather than as
armor of defence; and we doubted the abilitj", even conceding
desire, of some of Mr. Calhoun’s associates, who shared largel;y
his coimcils and who would be likely to take the lead when i
of violence became the order of the day, to preserve sufficient j
control to keep themselves within the pale of the Constitution.
The subject was one which in every aspect required the utn
prudence and circumspection on the part of the President, j
having both accepted invitations to the Dinner we agreed to ir
first at his office to consider the course proper for him to pui
414
!ni^l4 he uath’ipaieH n*M ^ i i ■ ;-
hirn-elf n< it> ivaih -li.n i-ni .in i ^
ruli'‘!« ha'tM 1 aittl :i!]li i . ii ' » «'l \ 4,h-r - -
ai^rned upMit alnl ^ ‘ n
i\w third \ i ^ r^.-n ’ . ' ■ n .
in '“■pirit an*! t<’n<»r. Hin arn^* 1 n i
feidiinr nn tiie part t»f l ‘ i- (dd t I-* f il
aniiuateil id, hnat-f If fh,- ••aan- . f 4
<l<dVi)et‘ <d’ the l’ni«>n Ind i’ . n*
iV-d i \ e hnard.
Lt‘ns knenh'd^a- nf ihr p»dit '‘,il . h.u" .
tip thi draiiia ;tnd a ver«, i;; ^
inter[»ret at inn td’ fheu' i.a »u*ia«a!i .uajhi
n- (d* tin* just ir»' nf »»nr n pn : ’
dt* iifUed ft ‘T t hr aih an<r}i 'I'hj nf i j ’j,
tieai iuiK rat lirr t hail furth-'-'da' t iha
prolimtinn »d' f hr *n'jjrc;i.l ffit*-!* I ^
frat u rrs in 1 hr plan, a d? - 1“ I n !
furtnril nh-rinrin Uri’r 1 I » ;
ytd in rin!»r\rt hut har h .
u if h ( lin r ttf \ irnni!;} i . !{> i >. r : ,
law » and 1 hn («> ar« m i Ir ;j n "
rrprrM'Uf ai i \ r : and p‘^‘'p^'' ■ h*' ■
pi'’ ill nthi-r , and ■.’■ ' \>> r-n '
Suitih (’ar<»hna hid hnr' 'iMUj; Ir- i h
I n ad< *p| priiiri plf u p» tn v ii h ’ r* j , i . 1 i*
ri/itn.*' Ian* pnhh-- inm.
A \dr<^riui:tn n a phi- 1 i- t h • i in i
Ina f ndl hut i\ nr , »■'. *•[; p..ir- *4 \
I'inn' fh-rrilnnp and rin n.r nr^
at itiflVrrnf tiiut*-. au»r. rd ata! in nflr-r
ttifr parfr »d' (hr pnlit h';|l rr.- -d ..f r-, '-‘I
C arntina, ^.pn!^r lt»nn a.nd »-h»ipj--i:f h- nf
\ irtnina iti m-ard \ * Ui>- a ir n r .
anrr mnde !n hi-. S: at.- Im th.*- pr,
t hat I ht» nhl rrfaihhr.an had a! a. a i.
lai'h" tu t hr riitu' r n:n’'-.uril hi ir,- v? . .
AV'Vimunniwiw hk mahtix van lunnvx.
sulKfi|iU‘nt ly warm fr^iiaul ilnimly whose fivlhuis waa-t' t hen evitha
( nli>ted on t!u‘ siih* of lla* tmUltiers altlio' he took irreat (‘are to av
iihaitifyiuy him-i'lf with llieir doetrimw. Wlaai tlu^ Prt‘siiltait '
t'alhsl uptm For hi- toa-i T was ohliired io staml on my ehair to
n (listinet vimv of what passed in liis vieinity. There was no mi-
(ua^tandiny: the etlV(‘l it prodiuvd upon thi‘ eoinpauy neiilna- et
; nv -laitimeni from another have oeeasiont‘d a titlu' of the sensai
tliat was witnemed throu^iiout t!u‘ !ar|i:e assemhiayna Tlu^ vt‘il
rent tlu‘ ineantat ions of the ni.irlti were mxpo ed to tlu‘ liydit of (
(hm. Hayne hd’t his S4‘ni. and run to tlu‘ Presidiad- to In^n: him In
sert tin' word '’MVderalT so that (lu‘ toast sliould read ‘’M)ru I
I’.KAL Pmox— rr >trsa‘Bn lamsmivrn!''* d'his was an itiLnafuuis .
ov-tion as it seenual to make' th(‘ nTukt^ le.vs punpad, althou«^’
really had no sueh (dh‘et. the Pri‘ i<had (dunad ldl\' assiadial Ina*;
in point of fuel tht* addition oidy inadi* (lu‘ toa.st what he Iiad oi
nallv divslo-uetl it to he he ha\ine: rewritten it. in ihv hnsi h^
(‘Seittantad of thi* c(ee,i ion, on the haek ot thi‘ lid oi n*L*’nlar t<'
wiiieh had luaai laid lud'on* him, iirdiaul (d‘ n-inu- tin* i‘opy in
p(H*kid, and liavinp: omitted that wan’d inad vert md ly.
M lie atFair | n’oei^Mhal hid the leeliiii’’ ot (la* yaie' { . wa ' pla
manife tial that tin* liana* wa'. hloeloal.
tirn. ilaMtt* hdlowed up hi - ad \ ane(‘ . { ( >( ItM n’pin }>y th(‘ iollo\
\o!mdeta’ tiia^t:
'‘'The Stati* of than’eia. I'*y the tiiaime and en<a‘f>'y <d’ laa* 7 \
he ha aeliie\ed om* ^'I’eat. xiettnw tor State riidd , ihe wi-
and idopuettee (d’ her sons will siaain^ her another prouel trimup
the ( 'f nmeil . of t ht* Nat load'
(iov. Troiip* remaiiUMl sihad - lad w ithdaiiilino that than II
wetd to him amh a.‘ I inferred from the maniaa’ of Itoth for I
t(H) far oir to hear— nrynal him to s{>eak. The. omission
tlioiiirld dt* ervinjf *»f (*\planation and Mr, Whiyne,'* oi ( ieo
now on the heiu'h of tla^ Stipnatte Ckmrt, attril)ttted his sihaa
the fnet that he was individtially mentioned in the toast : a «’ir
idaneo eommouly n-.^arded as furnishinir a las'es ity for . pt*al
I did not. at tlu‘ tiuii* understand the explanation a. ^.*:i\ine: the
elne, to his silenet*. (ho<a’ia>r d'ronp wa a. remarkalde man
iMit'tifKi u'ld! OI > i la ea ei h rada’al iStale rmln iHditieian iidle
416
AMEBTOAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATIOlSr.
that was for a long time carried on between the ''^GeoTCjici rctdia
as they were called, on one side, and the South Carolina lax
dina.rmns^^ on the other, through the medium of certain article
a Georgia newspaper over the signature of “ Trio,’’ and the strict
in reply attributed to the pen of Mr* McDuffie, a noble hea
man who carried to his grave the injuries received in a duel gi
ing out of this contest.
The nature of the discussions and of the principles advocatec
the contending parties may be inferred from the following ext
from the papers attributed to Mr. McDuffie:
The States as political bodies have no original inlierent rights — that
have such rights is a false, dangerous and anti-republican assumption, v
Im'ks at the bottom of all the reasoning in favor of State-rights.
Gov. Troup saw and understood what was going on around
and recognized the hand by which the wires were moved, and dc
less his silence was caused by an indisposition, to use a hoi
phrase, to train in that company. But when called upon from
Chair for a toast, he was ready and prompt to show that in clevc
to State-rights and in distrust and dislike of the Federal Go^
ment there was not one among the new or old professors of that J
wdio Avent beyond him. He gave
The Government of the United States: Witli more limited powers tlia
Republic of San Marino, it rules an Empire more extended than the R
with the absoluteness of Tiberius, with less wisdom than Augustus anc
Justiee than Trajan or the xVntonines.
° The first three Amlunteers were :
— By President Jackson,
Our Federal Union — it must be preserved.
— By Vice President Calhoun.
The Union — next to our liberty the most dear; may we all rememl)er
it can only he preserved by respecting the rights of the States and distril:
eqindly the benelit and burden of the Union.
— B}^ myself.
Mutual forbearance and reciprocal concessions ; thro’ their agency the '
was established — the patriotic spirit from which they emanated will fc
sustain it.
The common point at which all these toasts Avere directed-
Al'TiUUtHJKAPn V {»F MAKTIX VAX lUMtEX,
4
hift llhji ft(‘i F find it \v:i- ns iiuirh ns say, in r(‘ply to ihv autlu
of Nonin of tlu‘ j irtunnliiiir inunits, \\ (MI ina\' roinplnin of i
tariff auti |)rrlla|>■^ willi n*aM»iu }»nt -n hnio- a> it i,. tlu‘ law it shall
certainly 1h‘ nraiutained as uiy name is Andrew JaekMUi' If ’
(dianye the ad<!res'- as to ntakt' it apphn-ahh* to thi‘ prim-lpal ^’ettc
up of tlu' meetiUjU* that was pri^eisely what the 1 h-e- idtmrs ton t w
di'dirntal to say. 'To that tmd was it e<meoett‘d ami for that. piirp(
was it
I 2 ris;r vmx*: -1:7
CHAPTEK XXXI.
The appointment as Envoy to Kussia of John Randolph, of
Virginia, or, as he described himself “of Roanoke” — ^became too
conspicuons a feature of the early years of the Jackson Admin-
istration to he passed by without notice. Early in the autumn of
1829 the President and myself rode out to Arlington to pay a
visit to Mr. and Mrs. Custis and the conversation whilst we were
there, turned to the subject of Mr. Randolph, whose name had
been casually introduced. As we were returning I told my com-
panion that I had a. suggestion to make to him which would sur-
prise him and that his astonishment would probably be much
increased when I assured him in advance that the step I was about
to propose w^as one which I would neither take myself if I were
in his place nor recommend to any other President, but which I
thought he might take altho’ not without hazard. To his puzzled
look and demand for information I replied — It is to give John
Randolph, of whom we have just been talking, a foreign mission ! ”
He acknowledged his astonishment hut expressed a willingness to
hear my reasons for the suggestion. These I here repeat briefly:
they referred to the high estimation in which Mr. Randolph was
held by the masses of the old republicans of Virginia, to his identi-
iication with that party from its commencement and his abiding
attachment to it growing out of his active participation in its early
contests, to the imposing manner in which ho had discharged his
duties as Chairman of the Committee of Ways and Means during
Mr. Jefferson’s first term, and finally to his quarrels with Jefferson,
Madison, Monroe and Adams which would if he died without some
further opportunity to exert beneficially the remarkable capaci-
ties, intelligence, sagacity and knowledge of men which he possessed
leave the world in the opinion that he had been an impracticable
and unprofitable man. I thought that if he were to serve under a
President with whom he would be very unlikely to quarrel he might
render useful services and be enabled to avert from his memory
the rei^roach which would otherwise settle upon it. An object so
humane and so praiseworthy might, I thought, be appropriately
41S
ArTOBKUIKAIMIV OV MARTIN VAX BUIUON,
4 I \)
aiid lu^iH'fulIy by (iiai. rlacksoB, to svhioli 1 added a
stroi\«»; exjjfessiou of llu* satisfaetion I would derive from having*
made mys(df in auy de; 4 .’Bei‘ iastrumeulal in its aeeomplihliMUMil.
My ndereiua* fo (lu* early st ruiru'h’s of tlu' republiiams a( a time
\vlu‘n he was himseir in ('onfi,'i*ess aiul when lu‘ had, as 1 lune hefore
dt‘seriiK‘d, lirndy vottal with them a/^ainst tlu* auswi»r (o Prissident.
\V ash in/j^'l on’s s{Ha»eh hia’aus 4 ‘ h'islu'r Anies and his eo ad jiitiU’s had
.so wordtal it as to eompel an tnidorstnuent td' nu‘asun's of wlii(*h
they disapproved, t^vidtmtly tonelual a res[H)nsivi* (hord in (he hrtaist.
of the I*n‘sident who replitMl si^nifieant ly thal if lu* taadtl in* satis-
IhmI that lu‘ eonltl In* nnule nst'ful to tlu* (N)untry Iu‘ would ^hnlly
camfer an olliet*. on Jaek Uandolph " that lH*in;jC tlu‘ appt'llation l»y
which the latter had ln’t*n familiarly known in (host* early days,
d’la* (ieiu‘ral askt*d me what- wi* ha<l to olfei’ liim; I auswmnal the.
Knssian Mi-.ion, which, altho' it woidd ('Xpo-e him to an niifaA't)!’”
able eliinat(*, was on otlu'r accounts to i)i‘ prefetu’ed: our ndations
with that (*ov(*rnment lu*iu”* simple ami friendly litlh* harm would
hi* tloui* if it , hould turn (Uit (hat we had madi* a midaki* in the
‘.elt*''tion td’ the Ministe.i*. I added that a commercial 'Tn'at.y w‘as
t(» he mailc lietween US In the ni'U’ot iat i<»n <d’ v^“hich thei*e I’ouh! not
In* any tlilliculty and when that wa*; a'*comidi bed our I'hjvuv wouhl
probably uaut to cnuie home. 'I'o the ijUc'.tion whi*(hi'r he would
accept, I replii*d that 1 belie\i‘d Ite wtudd not wit h. (and in^‘ hi'- haviip.^
declared that hi* \Mudd ui*\<*r vi»li* for a man b»r Pre. ident who ijS{‘tl
silver fork or who had in*eu a fi)rei‘in Minis-ter: and wliethei' he
ai*ceptt*il oi* m»t he would be hiiddy ^ratitieil by the* idler.
In a lelltu* to him tin* Presid(*ni phu’cd the oiler <d* tlu* mis ion
upon a * fa\oi‘abli* a footing: as tin* truth w<juld b(uij% sayin^^ i bat-
he wotdil in* (’harped with an iinportani negotiation wddeii wottid
rt'ipiire lii.s i*arly attention, and la* a<n*ep(et! tin* appoint mind witli
a iumhI <rra (*(*,.
iiefort' tlu‘ o(a»unH»n<‘es which 1 have. dt*s('ril}e{l thi* Pr<‘si(lenl.
had d('eid(*d t(j recall tin' actual Mitdstt*r, Mr. Middletond on tlu*
.Mde pround that tlte duration of his ollii’ial residemn* in Ivussia
had alrt*ady extemhal lu’Vond wduit In* considi*r(*d a proper liinit,
and hein^jt willing to mukci tlu* innmu*r id’ Ids return aijreeaiih* to
him, In* now communi(*at«*d his deeisitm i(» hi:; frietid ami m*iph'
Ixjur in Teum*: : (*e. Col. Ibi! hnlprc,''* who wa Mr. Middhdon’.s brother’
indaw ami to ( len. \hui Ne al o a family eomn‘elion, and k'ft.
it to tln*m to aiford Mr. Mithlleion an opptudunity li> t(*rminn(t* hi ^
mi: i(m on his toMi applitadiou. It was in Ihi way that Mr. Ivan
i!«dph' formal a ppoin! UH*iit wa delavnl until (lu* NUnuin*}’ «ff IH.'U).
n i.f AOluir M
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tv \ uu Ntvtfi.
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420 AMERrOAjSr historical ASSOCIATIOlSr.
I prepared liis instructions and a draft of a Commercial Treaty
to which it was morally certain that the Eussian Go^^ernment would
agree, and met him, at Norfolk, the port from which he sailed, to
furnish him with such parol explanations as I thought might be
useful. TIis friends gave him a pulilic dinner at which he appeared
to great advantage and he left the Country in unusual spirits.
His whole demeanor and conversation during our interview at Nor-
folk, served to justify my anticipations of his good conduct when
he should be placed before the Country in a responsible position like
that in which he now stood and inspired me with the strongest
confidence that his Mission would be a successful one.
But these pleasant expectations Avere destined to meet with a sad
disappointment. Distressed by the dangerous illness of his favorite
Juba and alarmed about his own health, he left St. Petersburgh,
panic-struck by its climate, for London shortly after his arrival
at his post, and never returned to it. Other considerations and
feeling may and very probably did contribute to produce this result,
but it would now be worse^ than useless to speculate about them.
We did not even then think it profitable to enquire about them re-
garding the denouement as conclusively proving his unfitness for
the diplomatic service and our mistake in selecting him. Smarting
under a consciousness of the responsibility he had incurred by his
precipitate retreat and apprehensive of being abandoned by liis
government in the face of Europe he resorted to an expedient to
prevent such a result to wMch I believe nothing but a morbid
condition of mind and body would have tempted him — ^lie essayed by
means of a confidential letter to the President to create discord
between the latter and myself. This we could only regret-— but
it did not occupy our time or relax, in any degree, our disposition
to do him all the good we could. The flood-gates of denunciation
and defamation were of course opened upon the Administration by
the ox^position ; they had however more ground than usual for their
assaults and we had no right to expect that they would ° forego
the oxiportunity to profit by our blunder. Our attention was di-
rected to the discovery of a way by which it might, as far as I 30 s-
sible, be rectified. It was necessar^?^ that he should be sustained,
at least for the time, in order to guard from prejudice the character
of our foreign service and, by consequence, of our Government and
fortunately the facts enabled us to do so with effect. The meeting
of Congress was near at hand when the iievrs of his flight from St.
Petersburg reached Washington and the subject was thus noticed
in the Annual Message :
“ MS. IV, !>. 9D.
Ai-'rouuuiltArn V ok MAirrix vax iuhikn.
421
Our rt'latiiuis Uussiu iirt* (»!’ lUr m«>Ni stal>li‘ cliarnflrr. Upsihm-I. Inr lluil
Kuipiri* ami lu its rritsulsliip inwutals tin* riiihal SlaU's Ikh'U s<»
Imac I'Uttu’taiiuMl <»u <iur pari aiul sn tairiMull.v rlu'riNluMl l»y i1h‘ piH‘SPui Onpu'ror
aiul hy his illustrituis pri*i}fn'ssi)r as to have* Immmuih' iiu’orporalccl wltlj llu*
pulilif sautiiuuul i»r thu I ulitsl Slait*;. Nn imaiiu! will hi* left nia‘iuplny(*il (lu
uiy part tn priaimti* lht*s«‘ i'ri*Un.r,s iiial tla* iiuiiruN rnaaits (»r \vhi<*h (hi‘ cdiih
uu'rclal iult'rrtairsp hatwisai I la* iwti t'nimtri«*s is sustM‘j»| iPl(* and \\iih*h liavi‘
diM'h rd iurrtaisutl lmp»»rf ain't* rnan mir 'rrtad.v uilh I in* Suldiiiu* Ihirit*.
I siuft*rfly rtr.rt»i tt« iiil'uriu ytni (hat tau' MiJiislt*r lait'ly t’tujmiissl<im*d to
(hat ('tairt, t»ii whtiso dlsf hi^niishorl talnuts aial nrt'ul t‘\pi«rl(*iH*o in piihllo
aflatrs 1 phua* jid'oiit rollant’t* has fotapt’noil hy oxtrt'iiu* iudisp<JsH ion to
t*\i‘n’iso a prlvlh*ja^ which, la t*«ins(Mpi(‘n(a‘ td’ tin* oytojd to which his t'onslllu
lion had hci'ii impaired in flu* puldlc st*rvh't‘, was comndtiftl (o his dlscn*thiu,
«it’ h*avinir tomiita'ai'lly Ids jiost for Ua* atlvautaja* «a’ [i nmro y.i'idal clitnatt*.
'rim hi‘rli fNiua'larpni-. <4’ tin* upposit ’pui tis In tin* (roulilt*- this
lianiloljiliinn r sfn/htt/f wtaihl caiisc lo lln‘. Athiiini.si rat ion wtdH'i (‘vi -
tlciiily tad a litth* lo\vtd’t‘(l hy this in*atmt*nj of it, 1 hav(‘ nol- for-
tphieu llu‘ frankly avoui'il i>;*ra( ifh’al ion w hich if alVorihal to old
Mr, Ih'mvtd wlio had lillial hn* many Vi'ar:; iht* ri'sponsihlt*. ollict'. of
('hirf (‘lid’k of ilm Slain DeptuiintmL Ihs had, lu^ stiid, pomlnrt*tl
niimh on llu* {|tu*^.tion td' svhal roiihl hr r-aitl upon thr point, h^" llu*.
lh’i‘ itlrtd thal W(»nltl rrTu'Vi* Urn anxirlit' of hi:i fricntd!-:, without.
rtJtuini^; to any ralisfacdory .-olnlioti, amt hr rtnuplinmnird tnr hy
adttinp; that that part of thr Mr ; ape' rrtnimlrtl him of Mr. MaeliMon
who, hr thonpht, inttlrr. (oo<| tin* n ami \atm‘ <d’ words hr((t*r than
any idlu*r man. 'Phi:, was a LM*ral di'al to hr said hy a man wlio
iiioli/t'tl John l,>ninry Atlam : ami tlonldh'si tin* drrlaration was in
:otut* tli‘pn*r tlniwn fnnn Idni whattwor may hr ihon^dit nf hi:i
fipinioii hy a /iratrfid rrrnllrrf itai of my Inoin^iif krpf him in Ids
plarr, a . 1 ditl to thr I’mh tliortdiph cjtl frdtU’ali d. as Itr was., a;Lj;aiitst.
thr rnimndrnnrr td' man^v td’ tlir i.npportrrs ed' lln* .\tlminis( ral ion.
Hi. pi*nth‘manly mannrr;. amt thr t rnth fnlnr:> . ami inirp.rity cd’ his
rharartrr wrri‘ c prrially invulnahlr in thr rirrh‘ of diilirs hr liad
hai^i' amt wt*ll tlisrhar/^rtl.
\Vhrn Mr. Humlolph rratl tin* Me- ams in Lomltjn, hr i rl himsrlf
to wfirk to annoy mr tn*ar!y n . much hy hi-^ kimlnt‘;is as hr had dom^
hrfort- hy tin** cqip<rP}fi* (’ontlurl. Hi- pt'ntrfnl impid. i* foimd vrnt.
in ii way t Inis tlr>rrihril in a Irttcr from \\'a:;hin/.don piihli..hrct in thr
A1 ) . Jttunui! (if ( nu ^ tM Marrh I P*‘ isl’d ; .
\\ f hiOr pi'i-u mne'h amu rd tn cS;i\ l)> fill* ;tpp»Mraiici' aimm;-: ns of (lit* W(*li
Kiin\\n ,Inlia, ni’ Un.mnKn, wPn lirniudd with Idm a tim* .\nun;^ hor.se, a presold
In iho Sforotary of Stiite finm Jnini nattdnlph.
In tlo' t'unr e of ntir fi leiidly a eiciathin Randolph liad frrt|nrn(ly
: pnlvi'u ('« mi* (d' hi tnd nf hhiiuhd lior. t* , uumhrrin/L*’ td. tla* time
r.:. »u.
'■ I »ai54* i
422
AMEB.TOAN HISTOHICAL ASSOCIATIOK.
of Iiis death more than a hundred, and almost as often pressed me
to allow him to send me one or a pair. More than a year before this
occurrence, in answer to one of these requests, I told him that I had
taken to se^^ere horseback exercise and that if he would send me a
good saddle horse I might accept it, but I heard no more of the
matter, until the morning x'eferred to in the above extract when I
Avas awakened by my servant with the infonnation that a man was
at the door with a horse for me from Mr. Randolph. When I came
down I found his man Johnny — the successor of Juba, — with a letter
from Judge Leigh^, Eandolxxh’s friend and agent, informing me’'
that he had received instruction from Mr. Randolph from London,
to send me one of his live year old colts, which he had clone. Having
had no communication with him since his confidential letter to the
President I Avas not a little irritated by this additional complication
in our relations, and directing Johnny to be taken care of until I
might haA^e time to decide upon my proper course, I walked over to
the President and stated the case to him, proposing to return the horse
to Judge Leigh with a kind note to the effect that I could not con-
sent under existing circumstances to receive the animal. Referring
to Randolph’s letter to him I said that altho’ I had, on public ac-
counts, concluded that it was best to take no notice of his conduct as
it related to me personally, and in reality felt no ill will toAvards
liini, I could not think of accepting a present from him. Perceiving
I snp])ose my excitement he talked earnestly upon the matter and
Avith his usual good sense. He thought I attached too much im-
portance to it — saying that I had done right in regarding what had
been AAn*itten in the letter to him as the splenetic effusion of a man
suffering under mental and bodily disease, whose future conduct
might render a cessation of personal intercourse unaA^oidable but
that it would not be wise to precipitate such a result as I certainly
would do by refusing to accept a present from him. He finally ad-
vised me to Avrite a proper note to Judge Leigh — to ])ut the horse
in my stable and to trouble myself no further about it; part of Avhich
I did and all of w^hich I tried to do. The General Avrote a friendly
letter to Randolph in answer to one he had recently received from
him, in AAdxich he expressed a kind concern for my AA^elfare, and in
forAvarding the reply tliro’ the Dex)artment I took the occasion to
thank him for both the horse and the good Avishes.
"When I met Mr. McLane at Ngav York — he being on his return
from and I on iiiy Avay to England — ^lie gave me a liA^ely descrip-
tion of Randolph’s enmity and of his sevei*e speeches against me in
London and prognosticated much trouble in my future relations
with him. As he drcAV to a close I placed in his hand the folloAv-
1 Benjamin Watkins Leigh.
Ari'tUUt)(;i:AlMl S nl- maktik van huukn.
428
iiio- hotter’ i'rnui tlial trmit lainaa which raiiu^ oul in Iho. saiuo packot.
\vi(h himself au<l whieii had nidy i'i‘a<*hed nii* on (lu' previous day.
He was, (d’ rourst*, a ^’ood tleal KUiftainded and procHaakal io make
H'sservat ions td' llu* aeeurat'y id' his s(ali*ment-s which I assuriMl him
Were qitile uiiueee-sary and su^r/ifesUMl tha(. <he ^i s*inij;'s oul- Io which
he t'eferred had probably otanjrretl befori' (he Presidiml's Messa^(‘.
reached Londoiu which he admitied (o have heim the casi'.
‘ I am not awan^ that Mi\ Rundoljd!, a( any .siiliseijneiiL period,
spoki' unkindly of nm unle-xs his sayinjL!:. shortly btd’ori^ his diadh,
when he hud Unai l>rou|i:h(< very low by disease, that, ''as wi‘. must.
hav<‘ a Hank la' would rather have* tin' ('xLsI ifje* one. a-i Philadi'lj^hia.
(Inin a \‘an Huren Hank at Nt'W York'' would he so eonsideri'd l)y
othm*., I did not talvc it. in that, sense, myself. He h'.ft Hn^land
.MMint’C than lit* inlendiMl, arriving’ at Nmv ^'ork in Mu^ aut-umn of
and pi‘oi'eedi‘d direetly to his luHiie. on. (Jie Uoanokt*., l>y llii'.
way of Hitdnuoiuh
In Novemher of that- year hi' addri'ssed his tamsl it iiimis eoidlnin^
him id f mainly to explanations in reti:ard to his mission ami Io ri'-
luark-; upon (he iO'eal fallino; olV in the prospi'i'ity, power and inOii-
ciice of iticir Slate. I'’rom that ptu’iod until h'ehrnray he re
mained at home nlVcrin‘>f from ili'ciisc ami from real ami fam’ied
^ I.tiMHiN, ./JCif f^U.
i‘i vfi Sh:,
\ fi*u‘ u,*»» ! tnu' ■».•«> It'lh'i' III’ Mh' UC' of A' l«ul;i,v !
utn htho III. a i.r fiMin « Ith ll Ih'l v. ll luit niieliti;'; lln* lllUttiitflnU
V. hJf'lii v*’i . •*»«. i»mI. it 1 u It . ijiue tiii}u fji.M n il lor. At tUI'i tlhautu’i* A wltli my linpiTr«‘fi
I u.i*,v l»«r-i- mT Uu- t m?}s .!• of ttisiit III n nuo In* priTiiunpl imhi'i ju tu»* tn o\iiri.!ifj
iUl opitCou Sljl j**, ";W» |j n Jt»-i A" I liiH*', fhi* u llli'tj y*iM )ol \'i* Oilsfll 11 f f'i to In*
u.ath^ oui .Ms n rliiuiiilrr, ynur frlfttihthlp fur llml UUihI rlmiH .Ji
jnliolt (ibif suiiii, w tiMja I ptsi'i, Outl f«i {’oitihitu* til IU«' lii'lm of t»iir v«‘MNi‘t nf Sluto,
A i!m* jM.r It'S 4 { |mh ♦<{ Uj* pMltnoitl !iv \\ liMin Iim luiM lifi’U rmplsol'lml. t r»‘tnl ilu'
IrOi-i ■.,{ .-a u i,mm ufi fiml »tri iiolun wUh hili iihm !nl<*n‘:il, A wtUi ii
OoC I Hi: I mi-jiai’ l»» ac > jl!ir. ■[‘In* rnui'jsn VVlllnh ,vmt hnVi* |iri*Hnrnn‘i| In
ii.r A On* 1. lilMUnil *‘1 Him nlht’V SiJniitlnT i i»f On* Ciiiaiul Will ri'lltlnl* il I’nmiimlrun-
OmU nf Itsnl s-nl*. n mnO. i' •«!' acJi^ ulO iv Wi ll ti-i ilnUftir.v ; pn‘?iuuihtK iiH I <ln (liut lilt*
i-i* lu [t.u Ilf nt* li :Mi h'.i^r pi inniittn snl ujaitlini s !>i mr.firtl t<* On* Mincn-ifilnii will hn ii
). :iail<c {njintpr* Jji On* fi.iiitiOMii nf t h*- tnw Mllilntry. ^\*lmlnVl*r lim.V l«n tlin I'l'HUll I
a*» frsviicK ja o Osiif If m o «nu( rilin|»‘ In Uu* hnnuiir titlil rnpum* of linn*. .1. iinil
[n fr*- uilfsHi’ of oui loinjuoii iMimlry,
of thr flint*- of *n .'U'Si of i;iM:lufta M WnuKl U* lm[Mni?i|Mn In rlvn il t’orrml
Impti '. loll Ip n I mu -f t* i«'r y*«u l'» iln* mlinlrtiia** .Inurmilii la' l.iuiiloii whlnli
liH tliniia >»*»} aul.^ Si tt-n'*, ‘j lt«‘ !n‘S*a** l*nl«*‘i a III Imia nut. 'l'h(*> liii\f li»*rn Iln*
**f po l‘« MO foi i‘»f t, a i*f I’.iioijM*. wlili’li Innn'ly tunl iini:il imffiil '’fitlly
lo-liMia-t fhi t Mjjtlli 5 infuiiMi fJn-lti A tlnlr r, Ian lU I*' fon.
I nin j'lna Oi;il on iu »■ pl a .*1 '\Hh fH*- ln<r>i . O’ .\i*u rn*** nur I’l'lmnl Ml*. t*iiinl*r*'li*nr.
j.{. * i.f in-' i.n- .f I iioir. A l oiainm. to liim. It 1-1 ptm ilUl*- 0ml tin* Vi*ry wmlnlini! Hhih*
t.i !n^ .ao, a- Iniu la*- :tuoOi. r >.vlnl* r III i:ur**p«*. I iM'i'a tml f.siy lluit I silmll
\ ts;.. ! H.in*- -■* Is* O.ati '-*<1 to I -Mil OisU tin* ili Mraonp! nlHtn iif llillir*i ill ipnm*
, m; . u d . f Jh'. \ *.u « an 111 u f«*w Uin-n plvo itn* junrn lunlcl'l 1 hI“
Ca- a O f. nf Oil!. th ti i **.uM ,-i* HI fiaiii t!i<* inllHouti* A aimaciiliU': imrumil nf
[if. ■ i.f' *.-s! 5 j'f h' 8 j. pap'i ■=
V, .Oi s . * » f .1 H I . a* *:., fi *' |i« sj* l a • our titUlifiti nnrv*, A frlnfia
.1. II. oj* UriANtJUl'!,
I .. M \ . la. m i
( a .••.'Mt l.-fO ; 1. in la*- \ . U I‘ai:*l<l iVip*'!-.*
•• . I
S »>'i
AMI l:h \
htisluri uinv-; in (In* u .. :
(‘Tdir l»;iuk lull iuiu t-u hi •• : »
l•x|)n•^si» Jii'‘ «»r ilh' t ,
rui!':{|'t| {n dtr SMtifh ( ii'>n'hi ni >
flu* puliliral lli*M r ,u,;f ^
lHTi‘:>ii*s in n»Iatiun t** . U.irh'% u; i •
( »uV{*riHufii! , aii«! h. *ir!Ht;ui: i‘;, \L ^
{ Ir af ftui.irif l.ur^' ua * r i.r ! t
aii'nin at Hiirkiiiahain, lift , in:!- iv^:. i.
tiitiim that In* ruiM tins i.iu i r.. p. d, A
fhriu fruhi !ii^ fliair.
\\*ifln}nt HituinllHr I ^|U» I - u‘ ;
priurijtlr n| tMIl; n UrU InJi d ' i.'i :
luran tM :iy . uiiirdia?;» hr : > .? t'l-. , I • ‘ '..,
(lit* r«'- n!ri( IcJii-., uhi.'h h,. ;
at t Im: r lurt^l lUi* , I Jm lii.f h ! ^ . f
i'llt* nf ulir jaihlii'- a4iru floai ‘Uj tin f
priufi|»h*% thi-rria n, , -- .; .
.'•lati* iiiauliki' a At fut-a. h-u i .n
nnly fnnr lliuatli froia h: j. - .
(’(Ill taut. th*r;ty, \ Uv\ .uv a i. ,. u ?
f| tha rntilu^ p:i tu.u- Iti *
^ ^a Ilia hh ill { . rhrit,. v. a < . '
Iiuti r, u itijU! \lr. \ . J .
nitly iu a tr»'l‘ls‘ .1 iU‘ >*1 Ins’fh, ; :■ * * *.
it'ia(H»U Im >'aU!, v ^ , ,
wlnah \t r r— a » 1 * u a* ■• 1 ' ■ i
t *• n-U n „,H.i
■ ■ ' ’ - llv A » •, ill
^ ^ .aldir-,.
-■ S f t.-
IrA ^
ud, ffi-
It . \ j: . •• ,.
iKil.i.* -5 i.,w . ?. ,.a^ ?. >
« > 1 < f • 1 1 u » « ' , s i' i J" ’ : , a •■
lU.il j mT }■ ! r U‘ •• ■ j ; j ,.• . : '
i’> '1 . 1 i
r.Hjto t* li-'ta. •, i ■ ,
TtU } a* a { « .j' ii j , ,
r .y d. .a ff,.,
rlAtlui iuA^
lurUi- ♦'•anf.ft *n I', Jin ^ ^
.n#j f. > , nf \ t .
‘-f.-Ui-a. - .htt i.i.,. ^ .
(«» I !u- i , .i f f-,f .. • ' f,.,
n. A I
‘ \
AT!'ronio<;iiA'iMiY oi*' ^rAl^MX vax uuuion'.
425
A*('.w/rr(/, 'riuU tlu‘ of (In* pcopli* (»(’ is dui* to hoc — (luii
t(i h(»r this t)lHMUoii<’(* Is duo, \vhlU‘ to thorn sho owos yjroU'ot l*»ii uKJtinst jill Iho
o(»nso{iut‘noi‘s of snob cibtslU'uoc*.
ICcfiul nd, 'rtuit wo h:iv(* s»'(*u with (h*op r(‘;j:rol, lluit Amln ir Jitrlcstm, csr/z/irr,
pr(‘shUMit of tin* Ibdlod Stub's, bus Ix'on inlliu'iiood by tlosii'nioii;’ oouust'Ilors to
subsorvi* Iho purptjst's of lln'lr own jxtiilty uiul»ilioii, (o disavow tbi' prlnoipU's
to wbii’h bo owod bis <‘U‘V{\ilon Pj tbo obioi’ m:i^is(nu‘y of Ibo y.uiVi'rmui'iU. oT
tiu* I'niioii Stadt's, aiud to tnmsb'i* bis ri'sd rriomls aind siippor(('i*s, bound
luuiil juul foot, ti> his and (lu'lr bitton*st I'liouilos, (In* ullrai ri'di'rullsts ullrai
i’jinlc idtni iarin’’ uKni Intt'ruiil hnprovoim'ut amd llairtrorfi oonvontion nion •
ih(' hadaiiuail sooflV'rs at staib' rl.Lchts, ami li> lljt'Ir histiainu'nt, llu* V(*nail and
pa'ost llu(t»d pri'ss, by which (hoy hnv(* omloaivon'd, and but bm saa<*oossrully, to
inilui'tioo and ndsknid puhllo opinion,
hU'salrnl, 'PbaU I irt/inin will lu' bamd hor i)W‘n w'ocst I'lioniy, wdn'inwi'r slu'
<‘i.nsonls to numlx'r anmna’ lior fritsuls, llatjsi' w'bo airo noNU't* tiaio to thi'inst'lvos,
but wlion ihoy ain' t’ailso to (boia* otuiub’y.
lit'sol lU'tl, That trc (fitw it tu ./a/dfoo, tvhilt' ilruunttcint} this jntrirntutts coin-
hi/iiitiun liftu'trn (jrni'nfl .hirh'sau tnitl thi' la ft- luihalitumf ('nalilitni af his anti
anv ni( niit's, to avtiuit (hrai af an ft ilrrclicthni o/ ^irimi fifr, ant! ta avkmnrh'dfjr
(ht j/ hart' hut (tt'tt'fl in tluir varatittn.
txrsah't (I, 'Plmt wo oainnol otjaasonl to aidopt ppiin*iplos wldoli wo baivo ailwaiys
disaivnwod, moroly booaiuso (bo;\. bsno boon aidj>pioil i>y tbo prositjoid, and ad
thoujdi wo bolitwo thait \vt* slndl !»' hi a b‘.‘in aiud pcio;ia*ii>t*<l miiinrlty, tn' ini-
jat^nuttl tit/ain ftt tah< uji t>tir trttss, ooniUloiit tU’ sui'oi'Saa umba* that bamior.
So Iona as wo U(*«‘p (ho biltb, and <';ua ha\o invoss (o Ibo puldio oai’,
Ittsaliiil, d‘but wldli' wo ultorly I'oprobati* (bo dnoirlm* uf nulllhojitlou iis
(‘qnally wouU amd misobiox oit.*’, wo oaiimtd lur tbail nsison }'i\o nur oouut<*minoi*
In ptinoiplos I'unailly unroumio*! aonl in (bo hlnbo.u ilosu’oo «laiu’oi*ous (n tin*
libortii's uT tbo ponplo.
lit sal t t d, 'Tiiait svo bbddy iippmvo np llu' ndssbui nt' lionjandn Watkins l.olcb,
imi (Uily as In }b»i*ir o\podioiil and judlolnios Intt ais nnlilnis^ npnu tbo nuin tlu*
ln'Ht «tti!dl(iod, wlu'lbor bu* iddlitlos, bdoj*rby uimI prliioifitos, nau'ail and pullt
load, bi'.VMnd nil niiiors In tbo I'nmuinnw ladi li, or In ilu' rnliod Stadoi, Tor Ibo
idi^b airduous, ami dolb^aib* task widob luis hoi-n dowdvotl ution him by Ibo
inntnlnious sulVratn* of (bo asiotnidy, am! as w»' boUov<* (In* pfsijilo, amd wbit’h
la* aajnno in porlmps impaldo, from :dl iIiono Oitiisblondbms mdlod in bis por
Hon of dlsrbandiu? with Mioocsss, and rofUoritu!: tl<ls oonfodorati* j’oyaiblio (t» I(h
tdrmor Intnmmy ami union,
iSbUiotli ,buiN it wool rn, of titatihthi', t hainaan,^
III ilu^ Mdin* IVobIt* roiMlitinn lio ouum'iI hiiust'lf to ho oiirriml to
Philaul(‘l phin hy wjiy of irn'lmtoiul aiiil \\ ;i 4 iiboion. At Riolmioinl
lio luiblo u lun^ spoooh silting ill his ohaiik prui :inp; W'ntkiii:, Loio;li
atnl flobotuioino; 'rUomus Uiti’hit' ;uul Ihiuit'l \\h‘h (or. At \\'n; Jhn‘f*
(on 1)1' tliil not of muir t' nllor hirs ilotiiun*i;il i«»n : o:il| npoii
ih’i* ihoid Jiiok rUi, iad ojauiotl u rtuuM' i»uinlrnoi» with liim ik'inaiml
in^rtln* ri'tiu'n nr-ovt'i’ul lotto]’ wliioh ho haul wrilton to him sovnr’t*Iy
as ailitip nnllilloahoyj ami nnllitior ami ; prakilur of im* in n w’ay
hy ui» moan iio. ii»noil In l»o oumpliitn'id ary. (roiioral Jaok:son ro-
fn otl (i» roiurti (horn :in«l ni’bo’ nnodn'r mjnally inoirortnul I'lToid
-Ml.-/ la-.i.oM, i.-j, ]■::».
426
AMHUll’AX HISTiUlirAl. VS^tu I \ llnN'.
Ihro' his frltMul, Mr. ( h)hl>lM)rnnL*'li |(‘h:irh' \\.|, <4 fhi* Di.-trift,
K;uul()li)li ahaiulniu'ii tin* jiui*:uit. <’(»!. IhMitMU prr 1*4 iitt* In »'ali
upon him assurinii: nil’ ihal la* hat! axpir i*'! an r:tnir t 4i* U't' t«» rr
nu'. 1 iTul so and wtis tvauliniml In hi hnt idr hv !ii htiihtnl Julmuy.
III*. n*(‘i'i\'(‘(l iiu* a ppart’iit ly, ami 1 rtnihl imf ihiiiht mi’iartv, uiihrtir
dial kindiu'ss. Aidin' vary ill hr muld aluay. talk uithniit tininy
hiinsrir injury and wv funvar rtl for duu* pruiripal!\ ahniit
KiiiJi'land and tlio Mui^lish ]a*nph': hi* Ufa lnn»,r unair t in all thiu*,»'
havin;^’ (‘(jiiinn ndalinns, whi^tlmr m*ar nr r«*iiint*% \aliiaf>h‘ t»r trivial,
showing itsoir unahatrd in (In’ ruiun* t*|’ mu un*a v lu . mn
niah'd praisos of Knglish athllo^ ami hy tin* t‘Spn* > mu nf a hnpi»
that. I had hronght- hnnu* with im» a supply nf thmn. W’r « hnuk
hands al. [larting and 1 nfvrr saw him .a«utia. Hr rjii * *1 him «df
to In*, niovi'd In tin* (’apiinl wliri’t* hr al n tnnk a kintl f ururll nt Mr,
(4ay% lolling him Ihal In* ua> a d\ ing mam and hr umt mt to !*hd
adi’lphia. Imping In hi* aldr in talu* thr pa*‘kri fnr hhighimh hut hr
diod in thal <’iiy, a r(*w days aflrr rrarhing if,
Mr. Randnipli was an uisrnitahtr inau tlr* lun t n | ru*j- kjs**v..
Ills Indian di‘sri*ni, nf whirh, a - 1 ha\i* rl rulnur aid, hr r a un
allVoIrdly proud, wu:; in nnthim* rl r. unt ruat in !u h»»*k , .t
sl-rongly dispIayiHl as in lii- inllrvihlr rr d tama* tn l uav thmr i;kr
alUnnpIs in rrad Ids nmlivrs m’ dmn*dit nn paitirip.ir n, r t !mh
or io aoijiiin* a grnrral knns\lril*/r nf hi*, iiliorra I )i;uartri.',{.lh
opposili* Io dial frank crr pn itlnn whu h takr pridr m la-ad^ di .
olosnn* of ilsrlf in prrfrrt iiirriaty in wliman.-n w-.is hi^r an
inl(*n’sl in kiuuving it wa ^ du* rntimmit uidrh iullnmrrd !um in
shrouding ldiii.^;<*!l\ hi- nmtivr , hi :ni , and inru lu minriurut .
in niys1i*ry\ and to rrMUit any attrm]»t , hnv.rw-r finaidlv »*?• v,*di
inirndrtk l(» prnrirafr i( nr in umh-r tand lii rft ir i, U-r. H*- u t
nnl wilhslauding, iilway.*- a ‘fudy {n mr ainl no nu,- nr^ a sm. dunnr
our long ami rlnsr iutinuirv, I f‘mir;unurrd fn a%ail mv »'lf nf
inoidoni nn| of ronr o l<i pry info hi% rrrrf hut in nla nu a ‘dunp r
ol I hr iniH*r t‘hanilK*rN nf dm maid n-al ran inulinu wl‘*» ^ a t.ji
oi’onsiniis so groal a pu/t/Jr. Hr ndd.ajly form’d tfpf.u mr, a if ,4
f(‘nilrd, saying umlrrstaiai ym. Sir* \ nn an- amirfom.. in k.Mk
doojK'r into inv di.-pnsi( inn dian I am iir liurd fn hu woi think
you nndri’.siam! mr ulrrudy. hut \nn ar*- mi t iirau %nn kmri*, u‘rl?
iug al all ahoul mid 1'hrrr ha . hmi hut nor p, i .,h in fh»’ -mid
wlm umhu’slnod mr prrfi*rfly htif nm- wim rr*iupi.*hfudrd m* Hnr
aol<*r and dial par-nm uas imt nf dir rartli, raiihv," 1 |n j-
h(> alludril In \va his wnrthv mnthri\ nf uRmiu h- ;ujd
always willi ihr tilimr-t lu\r and vmrratjr.n : hnf h>rir hv
adnpird a limdr id' rvpivs it,n tn pnnrnt ur* {mm Lima
AUTOBIOGRAPHY OP MARTIN VAN BUREN. 427
to whom he alluded by avoiding a description of his or her
I naturally not disposed to inquire further either upon
or upon the principal point. In a similar spirit lie guarded
knowledge of the state of his health as much as possible from
While it formed a principal staple of his daily conversation,
J^erson, however well acquainted with him, could ascertain any-
very definite or reliable in regard to it. Altho’ this was
a consequence of its variable character it was also in a great
^ ^^Sx-ee an affair of policy. Strange as it may apioear to those who
not well acquainted with this strange man his health was one
Inis weapons of war in the contentions in which he was all his
involved. It served as a cloak for omissions which he could not
^^'Ixorwise satisfactorily excuse and its fitful character put it out
the power of his enemies ever to calculate safely upon his ab-
or his presence among them on any particular occasion. When
1^0 "was confined to his bed and to all appearances in the extremity
suffering from disease, there was scarcely ever a certaintv that
Ixe vvmuld not suddenly repair to the hall of the Legislature and
Lake a part in the debates, especially if the}^ concerned a matter
iiY "which he was interested or in which he could make himself
T'liat he was a man of extraordinary intelligence, well educated,
■vve^ll informed on most subjects, thoroughly grounded in the history
rationale of the Constitution and of the Government that was
■po-X'iiied under it, eloquent in debate and wielding a power of invective
.SJixjoerior to that of any man of his day is unquestionable, but with
ixW these liberal endowments he lacked a balance-wheel to regulate
Ixiss passions and to guide his judgment. This grand deficiency
AAT-Ltich the whole course of his previous life had given us strong
x'OELSon to suspect was deplorably demonstrated by the trans-
rtoLions of which we are speaking. Few men had enjoyed better
ojxx^^^'funities during ten preceding years to form an opinion of his
olxaracter and capacities than myself and the error into which I fell
l30"fcx-ayed, therefore, an inadequacy of observation or a weakness of
j iTclgment which I could not too much regret. My mistake was as
X lx ave said, considering the relation in which I stood to the appoint-
TXi<3Xi.t, a fair subject for the animadversion of my political adver-
Rttries. They used it to the utmost of their poAver, tho’ embarrassed
the difficulty of assigning any improper motiA^e for the act, or
tLiiy other ground of attack than an administratiA^e blunder. The
nsixTal and ready imputation of a desigm to make political capital
Tor* myself out of the arrangement would liaA^e been preposterous
iia view of Randolph’s utter destitution of political influence and
"Was neA’'er made. I might offend one or more of the j)rominent
428
AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATIOl?.
men of Virginia, who controlled the politics of the State, with every
one of whom he was more or less — generally the former — at variance,
by giving him the preference but in no quarter could any influence
be gained by it or hoped for by any sensible man. I made no efforts
to avoid the political consequences of the act to myself, but my friend
the President when it became, at a later da^q understood that a trio
of the leading minds of the Country had combined their influence
and power to break me down and when charges against me of all
marketable material were in immediate and active demand, author-
ized one of his friends to say on the floor of Congress that I was,
in no degree, responsible for the appointment of Mr. Randolph, and
that the fault, if fault there was, lay exclusively at his own door.
Certainly, in a constitutional sense, the appointment was his alone,
notwithstanding my agency in bringing it about, and Gen. J ackson,
in such matters, acted, throughout his official service upon the prin-
ciple to which I have before referred that all preliminary steps
on the part of officers subject to his direction were to be. thrown out
of view, so long as he was himself satisfied with their conduct, and
that the exclusive responsibility for the results rested upon himself.
But wherever the blame attached it could not amount to much in
a case where no selfish intent was discoverable and where so many
palliating circumstances existed.
Mr. Randolph had grown grey in the public service. Of the
forty four years which, at his death, had elapsed since tlie organi-
zation of the present Federal Government, he had, I believe, served
thirty four in one or other House of Congress, and all but one or two
of them in the popular branch to which the election was biennial.
Whatever may have been his shortcomings, by reason of bad health
and other deficiencies more or less beyond his control, in making his
exertions effectual, the political doctrines and principles which he ad-
vocated were well adapted to the support of a system like ours — in-
deed those only by which Ave can hope to uphold it in its integrity.
The first year of his service as Chairman of Committee of Ways and
Means, during the fii'st term of Mr. Jefferson’s Administration had
illustrated his abilities and his patriotism. It was difficult to doubt
that a man of his pride and force of intellect, whose perceptions
were of such spariding clearness, would fail to improve a fitting
opportunity to atone for his intermediate failures and to make the
closing scenes of his public life as creditable as possible and how-
ever hazardous the event proved it to have been it was at least a
liumane and liberal to furnish him Avith that opportunity. To
one of the inducements to this act of favor which influenced both
Gen. Jackson and myself — but more strongly the former, from the
circumstance of his having been sooner in the political field than
myself, — I have already referred, viz: to that suggested by Ran-
Ar'roiuuiiuAPn \ ni \\\nv\\ \\\ uinis.
(lolph's vixrly illicit illfiit inn witli i'hv nt«l rrnuhh. an pjrJ \ ;ut»l hi
part iripiit inii in it*' miannrahlt* ti urj'lr . 1 h>* In »»1 that
pt'ritnl, (hi* at’rntmCs ^'i\i’n h\ Imth ath* , ;ir»' ii'plrh* ■ i n
nf Iht' i‘lli«‘ii*nt pai1 takt*H 1 j\ hiin lu tlm •■•aU''* t nt th** *i i\ .uin fh.'
sarfilU‘i‘S (t) whit'll hr \m\ t'Xpti !•«! ti^m t, I nr nnj *
al)lr inipivs.-ious mailt* h\ hi • prrrh*- tipnu tlu* mnui .n * hi .!►*!. u
Adams, wliosr (’uiultui and rhararirr vunr ih** rt»u t ml i.nr- i in
his srnrrldii^i: !UAt*r( ivi\ and whn, Vrarn atinruard , p**Lr **!
brilliant wit, fitu* imairinutinn and tlnwim/ r!u»|nrii*** -i ?. n * > h*
bratrd \*irpnianA atluril prtimps thr mt» .{ nihnu*; ,lln u * !
thrsi* trntlis, Ilnwr\rt‘ (irm Jurk-iud paili/an rufir a* .u» m rin
Imvr brim for a timr rrla\rd l»y In. mibtaiv pui aai . uri fh»-
srdnrt iiHi id’ Mr. Mnin-iu*'' ** l*‘,ra td pnnd irrlnip, ' Ir . f.n;n snsrd
ri'piibliranisin rraM’ftrd it . inlltu'urr mi rr .nminp itr* p*»htn al u
nrss and upriird Ids brart tn mrry appra! Ii‘ fir- u:>iu mI th*-
(ryinn: .‘ii’rur.** and fast a t<>-ia! inn ■ uf hi »Mr! v p«dn'‘ d I u -s
(hid bnl a tyru in thr rbntil mmpaifd unit tin nr-u *>i is. -in.,
mnrmbrrrij Widl thr intt'l’r t udh uhadi, a. a f n r •. j, n . p- ' > r.
(>r sixirrm I hud rrad Ihuidtdpid. rlrt|U«*m a ns't . ” s- r ~
a^ndnd h'ranrip ( hr pnn i imial :u m\ , t hr ;i ht n nr! • i ; i
thr far t’anu'd \ a/.nn frand . I hud m addn -ui, < I «; •' i, i
rtljnyrd a prr .rmit frimid hip and run t;nil pri <ri)? ;..l ! .; ‘ s ■;
(rii yrar.’^ U i(h him U'^ ‘dti r and r<»nhdrut lid a . ^ <rdr; , p. ^ p:* * ? .
imr u hn \Nns (rn yrur. hi - jnint»r in a u. ? pi r ; s P' . i : . ^
id’ hi ' ( rmpriamuMit , Mv th»m pn muuI and iltms.'. 4*P ^ , : r
frirnd, llanuamr- lUrrrkrr, td' Mbuiu, ruw' ua* a h- ? . . i
durtinu In Mr, lhiml»dph \\ hru I hi .t ttrnf |m fir ^ . ■
(hdtrti Slulr.u I mrf IdtlU for thr id a timr, uf I pr r* r-* s J!
wt* hupprnrtl tn hr maUinp ul thr aiur f nar u i-t II u
risnii tiray <)tis ami la tin* intnr tinp ladn- . af hi f uiuh . | tfdd '
him td' my hdtrr pr‘»nd in*/ tn rail and drlnri- it vJin li I d’d
it hi tundlinr hi-^ in i tinp that tin- ludr td' rl itpnnh- i rnaiM-d {L*- p
ri’Mmlatiu* tn makt* iht* hr f vl if ti» thr .rimfMr, l th n t.:iar
tinlil I Irft ( nnprrs . ut* \^rrr wry uiurh tM*^'Shri , *■ p.-. , th - h.J .f j
i l*a vri*-iin|*' in iln* a*ldlr thr mad ah*'nl \\ ! h arn**:. \ d t I I
vntrd npu* Irian I frit fur hml td” him vJn. r . ? nar h n /.= a.r
nil hnrM‘hurk as UU Aralx
1 {rl( myndr rnmplimrnfrd la hi .iftriitnt'i : na hrd, s 4 ^ .*h
luntlimr hi'- pt'rnb'ir uat, , th.-i,. v.^ir ,r‘ -. ■*. aJi., , ^ a
p i < * a ■ t ' i 1 t n r t *r { ’ 1 t • art n t i * » r , | f * ' » t ! < : hi';.. t " ; * . ’ r »* , ' . *' ^ *
1!m* nd {niiuiu^ pj ijaarr*-! M.dirr »o' h.!» r a jP ? -• ! rf pr. j* . .u
u. ttriatt* , bnl 1 I* raj>»-d .df!s»/ I . m ^ ». ■ r
ratu fmpln* ‘I'hr ih:s.nP- *.4 . d' f*,.
430
AMERICAE- HISTORICAL ASSOCIATIOISr.
speaking, until no quorum remained, which I have elsewhere de-
scribed, and Avliich uTadually became more cominoii, he took 'very
seriously to heart. I have before explained to what extent and
under what blameless circumstances I once contributed to this opera-
tion, but I thought neverthele>ss that I could perceive after that
occurrence faint symptoms of an alienation of feeling on his part,
and as no one loiew the absence of unfriendly design in me better
than himself I ay as forced to attribute his pettisliness to an obliquity
of his nature which rendered him unable to judge fairly any fea-
tures of a matter -which had resulted injuriously to him and to
Avliich the action of his friend had innocently contributed. As I
one day passed the open door of one of the Committee rooms of
which he had, according to his custom, taken possession to write .
his letters and so forth, he called me in, declaring that he had some-
thing to say to me. xVfter a few general remarks he took up a
letter from his nephew, Di‘. Dudley, which proved to treat of
family difficulties into which he proposed to initiate me. He pro-
ceeded to read a sentence or two and then to make AAdiat lie had
read the subject of protracted comment. I informed him several
times that business Avas to come up that day in the Senate to Avliich
I Avas hound to attend and proposed a postponement of the ]*esidue
until another occasion, but neither my suggestion nor my impatience
had the slightest eifect upon him. I submitted until the idea that
he Avas in this way^ punishing me for my conduct in the other matter
seized my mind so strongly that I rose abruptly from my seat and
said, with some Avarmtli perhaps, “Mr. Eanclolph, I must leave you!”
Ho had turned the key of the door to prevent intrusion but noAv
promptly unlocked it and stretching himself to the full height of
his gaunt figure, said, in a measured tone, “Good morning, Sii‘!”
I returned the salutation with about equal stiffness and repaired
to the Senate chamber wdiere I found that I had been Avaited for.
At night I received from him a formally sealed and directed en-
velope, covering letters from my hoys, and other papers AAdiich he
had asked to be alloAved to read, Avithout note or word of any kind
from himself, Avliich I considered as denoting the cessation nf our
intercourse. A day or two elapsed before I saw him again, except
at a distance, but when we did meet he approached me with ex-
tended hands and a smiling countenance as if nothing had hap-
pened to disturb our relations. My intercourse Avith him as a Avhole
Avas A'ery gratifying and the source of agreeable reflections. Though
occasionally melancholy and irritable he Avas generally lively and al
times remarkably fascinating. His friendly notes were frequent
and amusing. .
I was a good listener, a character which Randolph liked and I was
not a cross-examiner Avhich he detested ; at least not so much of the
ATJTOBIOGKAPHY OF MAKTIFT VAFT BUREN.
431
latter as lawyers often become in society from professional habit,
and of what remains of it I had when I became acquainted with him,
he did much to cure me. If during our frequent and long rides the
subjects of conversation were ordinarily of his own selection and
if his was much the larger share this was because I Avas scarcely
r ever otherwise than pleased with his discourse and therefore in-
disposed to interrupt it and not because of any unreasonable lo-
quacity on his part. He avoided, as a general rule, the subjects
under discussion in Congress, apparently glad to drop them and to
^ recreate his mind in fresh fields, except when something of unusual
piquancy was afoot, and, when left to himself, Virginia, her public
men of earlier days, her people and her past condition, the character
and life of his deceased brother Richard, with England and the
English, were commonly the themes on which he talked better than I
ever heard another man tall^. Nothing could be more interesting
than his descriptions of the former prosperity of the Old Dominion,
* the extent and magnificence of the baronial establishments, as he
called them, especially on the James River and the Appomatox, the
honorable pride and splendid hospitality and true quality of their
j proprietors and the contrasts he depicted between those halcyon days
\ and the times in Avhich he spoke. Those Avho only met him in the
j fields of political contention where harsh or railing censure and
: stinging sarcasm seemed his natural and vital atmosphere could not
! have been made to believe the degree of sensibility sometimes rising
* to the silent tear, Avhich he was wont to manifest when dwelling
■ on these topics.
* A notice of a remarkable scene in the early life of Randolph,
' which seems appropriate here, renders necessary a reference to the
political course of Patrick Henry, to whose character and con-
f duct before and during our struggle for independence histoiw has
i done full justice. To dwell now upon his admirable beainng at the
j latter ]period Avhen his heroick spirit in behalf of public liberty and
his efficient efforts to set in motion the ball of revolution established
claims upon our respect and gratitude which nothing sliort of posi-
tive dishonor could ever obliterate, would be merely to repeat les-
; sons with which our school-boys are familiar. Clear, straightfor-
I ward and unflinching in his every act, his course in those days of
I imminent peril and of fearful responsibility was in every respect
such as left no room for doubt or question in the breast of any one
t among his applauding countrymen. The stand he took in the Vir-
ginia Convention called to decide upon the ratification of the ncAV
I Constitution was no less spirited, unequivocal and firm, but not
so unanimously approved by those for whom he acted. His dis-
1 ’ satisfaction with the plan proposed by the Federal Convention was
unqualified and his hostility to it unmitigated. Others opposed it
0
4
>'
■4
t:
■3
432
AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION.
because it was in their judgment calculated to lead to a consolidated
government— he regarded it as a consolidation em vi termini. He
a.vowed his preference for the old . Articles of Confederation and
opposed the new ° plan with the ardor and vehemence that belonged
to his nature and denounced its incompatibility with the rights of
the States and the libeid-ies of the People in terms which reminded
his hearers of the eloquence of earlier days. He exerted all his
power to prevent its ratification and failing in that he went into
the succeeding Legislature where the popularity of his course in
the Convention made his power supreme, defeated the election of
Mr. Madison as U. S. Senator (who had foiled him in the Con-
vention) and secured the election of two gentlemen as Federal
Senators, whoso sentiments in respect to the Constitution corre-
sponded with his own. By this course he drew down upon him-
self the hatred of the federal party to the utmost extent and was
held up to public odium as ‘Sx cunning and deceitful Cromwell
who, under the garb of amendments, sought to destroy the Consti-
tution, break up the Confederacy and reign the tyrant of popularity
in his own devoted Virginia.” ^
The state of mind in which he left the Convention was that with
which he retired from politics and devoted his time and attention
to the improvement of his fortune. From that period ’till about
the year 1795 he was regarded as a member of the republican party,
a favorite of the old anti-federalists who constituted more than
three fourths of that party, and like them, tho’ dissatisfied with and
distrustful of the new Constitution, was not disposed to throw
obstacles in the way of a fair execution of its provisions.
The first surmise to be found in the writings of the republican
leaders of any attempts to withdraw him from, their ranks is con-
tained in a letter from Mr. Jefferson to Col. Monroe, of July 10th,
179(), in which he says, — Most assiduous court is paid to Patrick
Henry. He has been offered every thing which they knew he would
not accept. Some impression is thought to be made but we do
not believe it is radical.” (Jefferson’s Works." VoL 4, p. 148.)
I have elsewhere roierred to the enquiines L made of Mr. Jeffer-
son in respect to the cause of the great change which had taken
jDlace in Mr. Henry’s f)olitics, and to his seeming inability or in-
“ MS. IV, p. iin.
NoTia. — In a lo Mi*. Short ^ Mr, .TolTorson says that Henry’s inflnencG in the
L(*iLrialature was oinuipohnit— -that Mr. Madisan, in consoqueuce of his powerful support
ot the Coiistitullon, was clef(Hited for U. S. Senator and that Mr, Henry, lo prevent him
(Madison) i’l’oiu helng elcetcd to the House of Representatives, had, In framing the Con-
gressional Dial riots, lacked Orange (Mr. Madison’s residence) to other counties in which
he, rumry, had great inlhience.
‘ {) 17K0. In the .Tefferson Papers and printed in part in Writings of Jefferson
(Wa.shlugton, 1853), 2, 273.
“ Washington, edition, 1854. Original is in the Monro-e I\ai>or8 and a press copy in the
Jefferson Papers.
AUTOBIOGRAPHY OP MARTIK VAN BUREN.
433
disposition to enter into explanations u^ion the subject. That Henry
was much fascinated with Hamilton’s financial policy and that in
the latter part of his life the acquisition of wealth became wdth
him a more absorbing passion than politics were nevertheless views
; of his position that I received — the former certainly and the latter
I believe — from Mr. Jefferson, and are considerably strengthened by
the following- extract from a report made to Washington by his
confidential friends, Edward Carrington and John Marshall, of the
I manner in which they had executed the commission which he had
entrusted to them to judge of the loropriety of offering to Mr.
Henry the appointment of Secretaiy of State, with authority so to
offer it if they thought best.
We know too,” they say, ‘Hhat he is improving his fortune fast
which must additionally attract him to the existing Government
and order, the only guarantee of property. x\dd to this that he has
no affection for the present leaders of the opposition in Virginia.”
Had Mr. Jefferson lived until after the publication of the Writ-
ings of Washington ” he would have been able to speak more under-
standingly on the subject and have seen the extent of the mistake
under which he laboured at the period of his letter to Col. Moniue.
He would have learned that as many as three years before the date
of that letter a plan -was set on foot by Gen. Harry Lee, an active
and very zealous federal partizan, and at the time Governor of
Virginia, to -withdraw Mr. Henry from the rex^ublican ranks — that
it was unremittingly presevered in until the spring of 1799, when
I for the first time and an occasion of intense interest to be presently
I noticed, the latter unveiled himself to the loeople of Virginia,
repudiated his State-rights doctrines and avowed himself the friend
and supporter of the administration of John Adams, the alien and
sedition laws inclusive.
The history of these proceedings is derived from the following
sources: viz; a letter from Henry Lee to President Washington,
dated August 17th, 1794, to be found in the appendix to the 10th
vol. of the Writings of Washington, by Sparks, page 560; the
answer of Washington, same volume, p. 431; a second letter from
' Lee to Washington, same appendix, p. 561; Patrick Henry to H.
^ Lee, ditto, p. 562; a private and confidential letter from Washing-
ton to Edward Carrington, vol. 11th p. 78; Washington to Patrick
! Henry, same vol. p. 81; report of Carrington and Marshall, ditto,
I pRges 80 & 81, and a confidential letter from Washington to Heniy
I of Jan. 15th, 1799, same vol. p. 387, urging him to offer for the
State Legislature at the approaching election, with the nomination
of Mr. Henry as Special Envoy to France by John Adams a few
weeks after Washington’s last letter.
127483°— vox. 2—20 28
.!M4
1 will u«»( ■ ••• ■ ; '
I ili»* pi “:*'«* ’
iiuvptitui tn ib linal r..n uuiu. n -
curiosity iu tla* :ul«j«nu u'-ll iv lU - o -
own iuroiviHvs 1lHur pnicMOil r > s:
oniri* upon Mr. HoU!’} ; iait I loo ^ .x o .
to or to coUiitou;iU‘'i* ila‘ ■!*'' ^
iuir his principh* h-r niYu r, I ). '
sut*h lurannc > ainl that it P^' i
uuitrrsliUHliuLrly pn* *‘ufr4 to In? ! o* '
Ihc Minic >pint \Mtli uhs-h ix. ux, .o
panton from (lu* i’nKui hu o' - o;i ■
toil and Mar.hall Knru a -» !■ j
that he \\«»uld not acrx pt
(hey in pnr tiaiicr oi a d?
\\‘:i hiiU!'toii, ti*iidk*ri'd io hr ., \
IVlt a '• ured t!i:it hr 1 ^: 1 : I to*
iUiv place (hat would rr»|Uin ?. o . ■
or near any foreign t muu. I* a 1 '^1
seal on the l»rueh oi ih» I ■' s
(\V(> inoiith h<doi4‘ {hr nlh i **1 t -
ir> iio room to doufa fleo r** * *
to whii’h I have letriir-t ”/ r,- :
lih* a eonrern hu' fie' ‘'‘X* • •< ' ; ► ‘ ^
ns he ua in tiic iiai* ? s
iuilfs. The fl‘oj;C -rp, ;fr»s , -r ..
i'ljUfUty o{' the St itf . ’ >' ■
cipliu' a~ he n-ru rd :n s -t t .
ihinn' to ill'cad wlr a* * p!*’'^^ ' ^
MHUned to have tnw'u p'o | » r
had hreu made n* hrl * -. *• t o m .
as a fart nm , ' s dn ’ou .ho,!,,
e-timution of I .r*- 1 hr 1 r ■
(he Adiuini Iraf n'O. \m i . ^ / i
and it wa- tot r irp i 1 d r ». e
Ijee >ay • la* had w-lli j r { <
lienee, with tunh .d^: Peisr. n ,
letter to 1^'e that th«- Ih- rs id' ;
him hail hn-n ni ' i rpi r ^ t..! -i .. . » .
oral it mle I h-uj i ' iif - ■ • . ■ :
int rinur durae^ . •.;■■ ■ 1 ) a
vv it li unailr. fi-v i n ,: i .r f - 1 - '*•
( ieiteral, alf h.«h o . e- f ‘ a ' -•
yitdded to dr ** H.dn-a re . d' . r, , . .
III pur uanrr id’ t trj W . h. : c r
^ ' ' * d I hi‘ n
^ • ■ • - ? ; . rn it ,
I ■ . ; o . r a or
01 } Ol iS { hi * lt '
- r„- !d Mf
I ‘ ■ t > ■ i ' * ond
■ ,.1
^ ■ dr - t ! io '» r
>'h ; i PrrU
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11
AU'rOHIOdllAlMl V (H*' MMVVl\ VAN Ut'Ul'.N. -Itif)
US it was by t lu‘ j^ppn’mt lurnt of luivny t<> i‘’runrr, bn’ v\ltirh Mr. ^
Adams muuinatad him within a (v\\ wiu'k and hri’tjri- ilu* limn
had arrivtal for makin<j: his diM'i.-^iun uptJii tin* [n*npt»' ii inn . uiauit lial
to hiuu nonsimtiul tn lananun a raudldutn for th<* t tnm*r:d AsviMuhly
of \dr^‘inia and [)i‘i‘si‘nlrd hinisnlf at tht* ( ‘harlot tr (’(Uirt Ilmi. i»
in 1 hat. nharantar.
lA'W spot.s havt‘ 1 hh‘U rmulmHal mnrt*' famnits in tlir amnd'; of
party \varfar<' (him C’harlot(i‘ ('oiirt lloiisn. Uamloiph'. nrnnnr«nt
displays <d‘ oratnri<'al pownr ctmt rihnti'd Iar|,^:nly to it ^ nrtnhrity :i -
\vt‘ll lud'oiH' as snhsiMptnnt to his «j:rn;U t*ontn-( witli duhu \\. l*‘,pp .
iMr. JtdlVrson’s somin law, who Inul mo\n<i int(j tinit tli^4ri«l for thn
soil*, pnrposn of ons(in*>‘ him from hi*' sna! in C '<m».»'rt‘s on maamnt
of Ids op|)osition to (hn W'ar of lsp„\ arid ula» Mtrrt‘i‘d»‘d in hi. oh
ji'ct that having’ luam tlin only iiriannn in t ht‘ rom'Sn of hi. pro
Irae'Ind piddir lih* in whirh Khindolph war; ahandoih'd h\ hi imnn*
diat(‘ <’(nist it limits : hut on (hi» ort’a.sion of wliioh v\r arn now :,prak
in^r it was madn. ftirnvin’ mmnoi’ahh* a:, t hn .nimi* of tin* la t r.pta'nh
of i^l(rii•k Ihmry, in a jaditinal di-nu ion hmuoon him ami .lohn
Randolph, a hiairdlns; youth nlirdldo only h\ a fma in»mlh , uud'S*
iIh' ( ‘onr4 it ut ion, t(» tht‘ : »*ai in ( ‘onprr s fttr uhi.h In* \\a a r.mdt
dal n at. t hat. his lir:-t appraraiua* on (hr juditioal tarn, a d: ''u nni
ndiinh War', a^; i; \ui\\ known, tin* ron::‘‘«|UiaHM‘ id’ a dirort inf ••! hs ru*-*'
hy (itm \\'ushim,fton, ihnn (’t»mmamh*r in (‘hinf td’ lh»* Amrrn’.m
Armys in parly poliiin ..
Ml’. Wirt, thn «li-.t inpad.shial ailthof <d‘ tin* l/ih* of Tal rs'k Ihnii\,.
and Mr, (hirhmd, tlm ma’ompli'Jind raliior td’ thn Idln of 4h!i?ju Ran
dolph, havn oatdi niMm vi\id rdnitdtns of tlir intnrn tinp pro^ »*«^diiir
of that, tlay, 'Unit af ,Mr. thirlaml j. tln^ latr t aial thr om* upon
whinhthnmo.sl att mit ion hu;; hrrn hn toWfd. I1d . ha dmiht !»■■. an mi
in no small dn^xi'ca* from tho non idrmfton tliat uhllr th** orfiirn-nrrri
(d‘ (hn onna-lou nonhl iiof, in r‘i’vpi‘» | (n Mr. Hmiy, h;ur hrrn rr
/rardnd hy any as addin^^ to fht* in tm of hi. prm iou' r.urrr, fhry
prn imtntl on thn part tif Ihmdolph, rnrtaint\ tho mo t inlri f- -t ui‘»
ami pinhap*'. nl o (hi* mo;.| imposin*r t*\hihitiiin of him ‘df in hr
wholn lifn. I am not awarn that ihnrn an* au^ maftwial dilV«*rrnt'« .
Imtwnnn (hnir slatnmnnt . in my^ard ttj fan!;., and a . to t:ir ii*p»nf«‘d
sp(*nnhnv, Mr, Ihmrv’s urns tuknn hy Ciarland foim W irt \Uiil t
(d' Randolph had not hfim prrpai'od uIhsi Wot ur»»lr.
It i' from ( hirland, t hisofmi*, tlsit thn follouinr' o\fiMrt Itain
hiMMi t akim :
M M.t H < m! K! i in. -'.i r ». * t if.i ■:} i i • -.r
n ua. ..nn’i JpinrS ;ni5'<»:'n rS. ? I'.ffrs!. rjii-Ifj' tT. n* mSfl!*- fh*' af
MiiO'h tNiiirf. Hj.- n"-;is.’k *■ ' « : li-iis-ta '.JOf ■. ti-:xn-r t?.,- ;,n-as^.
1 'it
436
A M K U K ’ A X 1 11 S'r( ) U I( ’ A I i ASS( H ’ 1 A'r I O X.
(o \hk\v llu' lirsl ornlor <M’ tht‘ :i.uv Tor lln* l:isl \\i\u\ TUos Irnin Inr iwul
U(‘ar iU'j)U'li*tl nii (‘V(Ty cnuiitt'iuuu't'. H was a liaat lhai inauv
IumI aal r<>ry<*ars, I\Iu(’h 1 ha iinrtinunf ih«>sa win* llnt'Ut'tl (uyi’lliar
that day had only la*ard rroni tlu* Ldawiiia; lit»s (d’ lhair latlaa’s llu* utHularlul
l)()\V(‘r.s <>i’ (h(‘ mail tluw wiaa* ahimi to stH‘ ami haar I'nr tha lir-a (lim*. 'Pha
('olU*a’t‘ hi Ih'inai' lOdward was (‘iiipliad not tmly ol’ its ,s(iidanf‘; hat •>! its pro-
f(*ssors. Hr, iMos(‘s no.mi(‘ lllnaal. .h»hn ll. iii<’a. Mniry ahicimmt imai
and h'anu'd diviiias, aania ap to aiijny tha axpaatad taust. 'I ha youur, uiau who
was to aiiswar Mr, llanry, il’ imlaad tha niultltmlt* that any «ma would
durt^ viaitura on a raply* was anUnown to lama. A tall, shaidar, aitaminati'
lookiiii? youth was lu';" Hahl hair ai.mhad, hark Into a wall adju-.iad iun*
})uU* (*ountiMiain*a, a haardlass I'hin, hrhdd, ipdaU, ha/.at <•>«*, hlua IroaU, huH
small I'lothas, and lair top lio«>ts. lla was doiihilas.; hmnvn t«» many on tha
<*ourl arniai as tha lillh* .hu'K Kaiuhdph tlu*y had ria-ipianily saan da:shtna hy
on wild horsas, ridina' d h/ noa/r* Atii/hsis, Ironi UoanoUa t«> llj/arra and haak
rroni rdzana* to Uoanoka. A t’aw knt‘w him mort‘ lulhnattdv, tmt nona hud
(wt‘i* ln‘ard him .sj»aak In puh!h‘ or a\an nu- paatad that ha a.mld ma'.o* a .paaah,
“My lirsl allampt at [uihlia sju*aklm’:." sa>s ha in n lattiu' t<» .Mr.. I’ryan, hi;
ni(*a(‘, "was in opp'^'^dion to Patriate llatiry at t'iiarloita .\tarah t’ottrt, lYlKI;
foi’ n(*ilhar of ns was ja'a.Hani at lhi> alaaiian in April, as Mr. Will avar^ af
IMr. IhMiry.” d’ho \ary (hour.lit ol’ hi*; at tainpt Inr, tt>an.v.fr Air, flanr> sraniatl
to strlki‘ tin* Krava and n‘Ila«‘(ini'; ni«*n nf (ha phira a*. prap..-.f rr»Mr;, " Mr. 'ra\
Inr,” said < ‘ok Ut'ld, tin* (*h‘rk of tha aanntv, f«» Mr. t 'raad 'ra>h'r, a triand ami
n('ip:hlM»r‘ (d‘ Uaiidolidi, and a rand law.sar, ‘ra\h*r, dnuh \nu tir I’alaj*
.lohnson nn*an to app»*ar far (hat ynmov man to dayV” " Ni'U'r mind," rapliiul
'raylor, "in* ran (aka <'ara <d‘ hinrcKV Hi; triand-^ l,nau hi ^ piOAnr., hhi
lhn*nay in aon\ ar.^al ion, his rt‘ad\ wit, hi*; iioH ln*ii ntira, his a\ ( ra>»rdinnry
lvin»wladr(* «d’ man and allairs; hut .still ha uji > idinni to rntar mi an nnirlad
th‘ld and nil tho.sn hrilliant I'amdtia*: mhdit fail him as (ha^\ had 'o «iftan
failad man of r.onlas hahirt*. 'Thay mhdd wall laiva fall H«una iin\laty on Ida
llrsj npp<*aranaa upon tin* hn.stjnrs in pn- aiian of a pi»pnlar nHa*inhl,\ timl In
ra])ly to a man of All*. lli*nr\'s rapntatlnn. Ihit It mtui'. thay had no faat*
for (In* rasull hr ar/a ttihr rtirr ttf hufisrlt, ^ ■ 'riirt’a al.’-u> ua s I*o\v-
InitlJin llolliint, (in* othai* aatidldato lor (Aatriass. dra ■ rd in Ids s*‘arhd anal
tnll, i»roml in his lM‘arinr and a fair ri’pi'asmitatlvt* nf tin* old an pM-raay
whlaU was nn'Klni;; auny undar tha snlMllvlNhina nf tlm hnv that had ahola.had
iln* syshan nf iirlnna^jadlnris -s* ^ IPP (ht* auniUdat«*s for (‘nn 'i’a . ; unm
ovarhiokad and forrotlmi hy tha arovvd In thair am^ariiaK tn halndd aial ;ohnlr»*
tin' Krnal. orator whost' raiiu* had llllad thair imm.tlnatlon for s«> many >aar .
“As soon as ha npiiaarad «»n tha ;,n*omiil,’* say.s W'lrt. "ha \mis .Mjrroundrd h>
tin* admlrlnr^ ami adorinr. i*r«jwd, and whitln*r.soavar In* nmvad tin* riusatuirst*
f{dlow(*d hlm.‘*
Pr(‘Si*ntl.v .lamc*s Adams post* ution a platform that had haan arartad h> ila*
shla of (In* tavarn poi*ah wln*ri' .Mr. Itanry wa.*; .saatad, and proahihnad "u yari I
() ><‘.s! < ‘nional Uanry will addra^s (la* jianph* from this stand, for tha ia‘>l
Hint* and at tin* rislc id’ his llfi*I" 'ria* m*ainl Jury war<* in snsshin at tla* mo
uuMil, lhay hurst thro' (la* tintirs, .snma laapt*il tha whnlow^ and aania runidm'
11(1 wilh tin* ai’owd (hat tlH*y mij.^ht md Insa a wonl (Imt ft*!! from tla* ohl man'.'i
lips. Whih* Adams was llftim.*; him on tin* stainl " W’hy .tlmmy " •ahl In*, " \nu
have maili* a ht’ttar .sp{*aah for tm* than I aan main* for niy.*iidf.”
« Hi* wars Ha‘ii la hl.M iiUth yt'iir, ai h-w laonthH ht'ymal tla* a^t* ri*uan'«*d Py tta«- r.mdUij
Hull laj imilUi hlia i*Uullah* to tin* llaasc »»f Itt'praHnit ait tvi *i.
AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF MARTIN VAN BUREN. 437
Mr. Wirt’s report of Henry’s speech is short. He referred to the
recent proceedings of the Legislature of Virginia, declaring the alien
and sedition laws unconstitutional and therefore null and void, and
said that the resolutions of that body had filled him with apprelaen-
sion and alarm and had drawn him from his retirement. He insisted
that by their adoption the Legislature had transcended the power
that belonged to the State under the Constitution. The enforcement
of the acts by military power would, he feared, be the consequence
of those proceedings. He painted to the imaginations of his audience
Washington at the head of an army inflicting upon them military
execution and asked where are our resources to meet such a conflict
and where the citizen who will dare to lift his hand against the
father of his Country? A man in the crowd, . (described as being
drunk.) throwing up his arm and exclaiming “ I dare ! ” — “ No ! ”
answered Mr. Henry, rising aloft in all his majesty, you dare not
do in such a 'parHcidal attempt tlw steel would drop from your
nerveless arm?'^
Proceeding, he asked “ whether the county of Charlotte would
have any authority to dispute an obedience to the laws of Virginia^
and he pronounced Virginia to he to the Union what the county
of Charlotte was to herP Of the laws in question he said that his
private opinion was that they were good and proper^ but whether
acceptable or otherwise the remedy, he insisted, was “by petition.”
He closed with a warm appeal to the people in behalf of union and
forbearance.
“ When he concluded his audience were deeply affected ; it is said
that they wept like children so f)owerfully were they moved by the
emphasis of his language, the tone of his voice, the commanding
expression of his eye, the earnestness with which he declared his
design to exert himself to allay the heart burnings and jealousies
which had been fomented in the State Legislature, and the fervent
manner in which he prayed that, if he were deemed unworthy to
affect it, it might be reserved to some other and abler hand to entend
“^' this blessing over the community. As he concluded he literally
sunk into the arms of the tumultuous throng; at that moment John
H. Rice exclaimed, “ the sun has set in all his glory.”
“ Randolph rose to reply. For some moments he stood in silence,
his lips quivering, his eyes swimming in tears; at length he began
a modest tho’ beautiful apology for rising to address the people in
opposition to the venerable father who had just taken his seat; it
was an honest difference of opinion and he hoped to be pardoned
while he boldly and freely, as it became the occasion, expressed his
“ MS. IV, p. 126.
438
AMKKK’AX il IS'roKK'Ah ASS()( 'lATK ) X.
siMil iiiioiii s oil {lu‘ u'l’i'aj ((lu^sf ions (hat so mnrh tliN'idinl am! aj»:itatt‘t|
1 ho minds of ( ho piaipii'/'
dis| )()sii ion \\irK*h if ^vill l»i*rnnii' nu* to iiiakt* ol this
sj) 00 (’h is a (jiu'slion not, iVta* iVoni difraaiK y. Mr. Wirt''. \or'.i(ni
oT II(‘iiry\s spoi'oh is, as I havi* said, \orv ^ihort, moliraotvs a Tow
jjromiiumi poinis (d‘ whioh af haisf pai'lial i'ottnnporaiUHMr aooounls
limy Inivo boon round and is (lu'ndoro fi-oi^ from MU’inus (loubf In ro
lo ils aiillioiii ioify. Sn(‘h is not, in all ros|)tn*f tlu* rw - with
that Nvhi(‘h Mi’, (iarlaud atfribiitos (o Randolph. With mindour and
unaHooh'd niodosly ho says that la* does n<»i prt*t(‘iul to ^i\o tin* Ian
^iia^'t* of flohn Randolph on that (u’oa-ion; "nor is ho oorliiin that
tlu* j hon<i;h(s aro his." Ihdoss (hi* tradition'-^ of Xdrtritiia and of that
\'i(‘inily (‘Spooially an* ;u!;ro.ssly rahnlons I ho spoi*oh aoiually luadi*
iiy Randolph was ono of r(‘niarkah|t‘ po\v(*r. 1 know Mr. (ktrlainl,
who tliod whilo. yot a. youn^ man, wi*ll, and know him to hi* a man
of raro. abiliiii‘s oin* rally I'qtial to tin* ta-k id’ proparim.*: a pi*oi’li
ailaptod (o ( ho occasion, liko ( hat whiiii ho ha^orcditod to Randolph,
ami w'hich inoi*ls ably and conolir-ivoly all tin* point- pro oiitod Ijv
M r, Ilonry.
Pi'i’haps tlu* most that can lu* -aid in favor of it ant html ioit y i;
that it i.s just, snob a spoooh a-', a man id’ tin* raparity . nbo*qm‘ntlv
(',xhibiti*d by Ramlolph wanild in all probability iniM* mado on ■ nrh
an (X’oasioip that it- is harmonioir; with thr dootrim's and primaph*.
ho profossod thro" lifo amt that in ro-poo( to it , ( hmst it ut ional i‘\
]>osition it tallios ailmirably with tin* ro olntiim- ho propan’d and
odVrod at ilu* sanu* placo mnro lli;in thirty \oar-; a ft oi'W ard*^, whioh
I have rc*[mhlishod in (his work. It is vory oortain t!»a( if (ho ao
Inal spi‘t‘oh displavoil a* min'h ahility as that which i , with [U'oprr
and honorahh* oxphiiiat ion, put forth }o- it ^ ri*pro*cnta( i\ c, iho cih*ct
must ha Vo boon ovorpow i*rin^ uptai a miml .• o ».ond(iu' a llrniw"
W'as known to ho. rndor tho oiroum 4anoo'. 1 Miall limit nr*, tdf to
a sinyit* (‘Xlract from (hat throo horns. ; j)t‘orh, f!urim»: whiofi timo, wi*
an* told, (la* pooplt* ‘•Miiin/j’ with hj‘oalhlo.s-* sih‘nco on the lip.." of iho
oraloi’, and rofoi* my roadt‘r for (In* n* ( to Mr. thii’landk most
int i*r(*s(,inn' hook. Ilo ti'lls us that Randolpld "yonlhriil appoar
anoo, hoyish tonos, cloar, cli-linc( and ihritlintr nttoranco, hi-. i»‘raco
fnl action, hold expressions, (iorv energy and manly thouj.dit
strii(*k his lu*ar(*r.s wdih a.sloni.slnm*nt," and (hat, when he concluded,
.Mr. II(*iiry, tui’uiiio: to a by staudor, sa'ul: "I Imvon't ^oo^ (In* little
<loe‘ lH‘fon* sin(‘c ho was at sciiool ; ho was a ^^roat athoist then." and
suhsi*(|uontly taking Randolph hy tin* hwud, lu* slid: "Voum/ mam
you call UK* fat hoc; (hon., my som I liavi* somowhat to v.iv unto time
(holding both his hands) /nr/t jUHttn , hut p truth, and you will H\(»
to think diirorontly,”
AUT(»|;|t.i;i:AIMl V n|' MAUTIX VAX lU'UKN.
4 :ii)
Mr. llt'iirv, by his inn tlnU \‘iririiu:i tn (lu* rni«»ii
^vh^^t (’hnrl(i(h‘ rnunly wa- t*» lu*r, nrnMitlrrrh c\vv\ jin'nnn'f nf
s()Vt‘n‘iinil \* in lln‘ Stnhx a I’iUUT-.^.ion uliit-h it i nnly nrtr arv t“
siah‘ (o I’lisun* its rtnuKnunatiini, Ihintlnlph pnhf at Ivnirth nf tUr
charachn- and (niidrnry <d’ this iv\i I'anrilinai-y dn.arinr*: hut in rr
o'ard lo tlial a> wrll as (ti rvcr\ (hint?: Ihairv had aid lit* trrat»‘d hun
with a di\U'ri‘r of n‘s|H'(’l au«l drfrrtnu’n uhirh rvnilfd tin* uiqiathu*.
of tiir iH*()])lr. "M tuni' IranuMl my ilr>t tf> mt in hi sliMid/* !if
said: lu‘ is (ht‘ hiydi priisf Fmai uhnm I laa-idvrd tlu* Htth* \\ \ d*aji
iny j)n()r ahiliru*^ \vt‘rt* aldr tn i-arry away frnm thn dmppinn <d‘ th«'
])nlilifal saiH’tuai'y. IU‘ was thi* in‘*pir<*d Sfntr man whn tanjdit
nii‘ |{) ht‘ j(‘alnns nf pnwsr, {(> wati’h it - ('urrnatduuriit uud In lamd
Ihr alarm mi llu‘ lir ( mniiH’iit: nf ii iirpatinn,” l*ut tn in%
Ix'ina' tin* [Ji’insipal part nf u hat ha aid *>ii tin* .aifdisi uf t hi- sdi
linn law:
.ViKj IN ni.'M I.4U that m» rtiH^ iiu-ri . ihr M*a« mT i;*-.
MMU'f'atih* rriplni? It i . a lir.\ ilt if laal r , tt :is ji> i ««{ pasr. h.»h »• ji\
liiif ami im|iri'.nmn»*u( , tn titt»*r «»r J in* a - .-af nssrid ih-.f nu% i.itAnsS * «! ral. »*
ar .iuri»i' tna.\ thiiiK jirnpar tn ii:n» *li ; « p» . * n* fhi- Tn- a*..:
rniti‘il Stall's. Uti ;v(»u unih-r faia! iu**' I il.s* ts«'*Ltna n» fb«
tMiarlntll' ll!.\ in hf lli.it .n»lnt Aiiai.* u I'lt- i . j,
niiiali'it man, \ain, jiMlnns .iml i!t„s Imln.-ii. »-a .-i’; p
ami jiraimlirt- ^ ami •Siarii'il nii !•> r .Ma ."!, la- U ^ » s. r.xi
tlm t'dimn.v intu a war w ith unr in” ? irn-iH! :'i8M | -ui^, Hi a l «hii«* n*
pnat this la'lurn fhr inniplr n{ ('hninfEr* ann ^w a a nn IPP ,,s
tm* W l'jtt* It tlowai ami jil hit it as a t.. a**, < s.iua . su*-u W h..s ^ a
/ suhit rt mtrsrU (tt tin ja#h«an.-a s.r iS-fN-ji ’ I ;aal»* js- • i-H s**
lll'mssMi au.ay Inmi m\ humn rral h irmf 1 ;naS is. t..- pr: Mfi i,i'\ tjL.ii! i?i w-
distant r’l'diTal <*»an't. Ii.-Iini- a fi.d ^ih«« n-. rin- ? hi - ais*"*!!*" na»*nf fns,; f S
man tlnit mm-Ls m\ nnidi'iima! m»ii ; and n» ht^ uh'd !•> a pta-lmli. . *1 pas'*, . I •<
Inivn hrnu rutlu'tad If.im !rni<»l»* p.ut^ «•! lUv I’- nuUs, .MriiHS t s fn m* ssd
any lliinj* hiit m\ jH-nts, atid han* hi-rn |*j!«'Lii-d I.*, f|jj- uJjjinjj ..f in.iicri f»*r
my dasl laiat lull. h \Ur man drraaidi. ’ ti.» >..»» iah.a - m fin. a ^
pii'lnn' In* has drawn hir »sir amn .aii*a»l > l .sa u.- Ian t, * a,, .a
( duirlntlf ; I .peal, till- trmr i .a al n-. isaai r.-alHIr ‘ Ha n- 3 ^ aim; ,t
law Mil Mur Sfatnii' Itunh, * 1 } phi* i»i 'vam t nn in .ip^ai .’M'-insup;
ni‘ ihnsM .adi-mn r.naranPa , ili.i! :.a au'** fhr ln *-»sa,j p- ^-v p ,,i jp,.
I'ri'a- jM Ammiran « sny.t-u \mI taiU j. tP.-n* a !i .a a f:.*.-, Prs -
ahaniM hi* It spiihm, i-^m land.jnd hfirla* : t '.‘an aahts.-ii ; . a v. . :
I conld stMp hi’fi* ami s.i.\ fh.n, thn' u p,.. iMvia.i ,aa.. .-a n.i --a/ :
}j raid \ »*.s, It is a d«*ad laHar Aht t .da ! ij.a tin* , *? . a hr ^ rS'
lamr In niMsf rhdd3,\ Mnh.r. fd. f<.a asaSi a . .ans .« * : . p .. s . -
imai in nhirlal atatlMn , mm-js Jh,. *• ,1.. an- »s.ap>,? T, -y ;.-fp n..
saar.-d
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'■jin*' .-sraf h . . p-r
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slaa! hy
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and d,. .us Mr.rf»-d
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Mi ( ‘liarhtf : uhS, fhr Jn-r iu. Ih-a,
h' ’a, I • hah to* prr*uj?N a ,
Ihr to-,, pi,. Ml \ I {'PiMlif Al.iUhss h,.,
Ih ‘ hS P...' ,t i ,'p;. . * s-f , ? ?-■ r Mif
h; . Paha’ hr, a.m.mrJ in a d4s.,a»s..
440
AMKUlt'AN IllSTtillK'Al, ASSi '( 'I A'I'li ' v .
t
■ *’V.
' .
iitij six tV<‘( st|uart*, wIumm* lu* has ilr;r';’',fMl nuf !h>* tni «•* lintu -* ni a pru
irarli'il I‘»ir tlarim' !*> vjulair (in- ru>;il inaxiia dial ila* Kitia ('an ilu
iiii wrona’. 'I'liis was his uiil\ «’riau* hr Ifh! hi' h* Mplr, aatt ran ni if ri»
hr jiriiitnl Tor llu*ir Inhiianat i«ui. fhai (hr I’rr idrni, '“‘rrirrfar. tarn »»l arr,
rXplM'ilMiri*, wisdniu and iiulrprndrnr\ ‘hi imrfl! /’ apprihtt'fl Uir r \\ ha
hatl nn othi‘r hiil th'Votinu t«> (hrir laastrr ; and tir jniiinati'd lhaf
“lia’ I'rrsidriit was I’and nl’ I’idiriih't! ^ priiip, idir jKiradr jin»i ‘.-‘Ih di a\uiiri\'‘
1 s]u‘ak Iht' lanjaiaar ni’ ihr indi«’i niral . I ri\r in irrhnir.d and aihrhd
wards 1 )h‘ Idrji crinir w ith whtrh h>* was rliaias-d. Hr |4r idrd jtt filir-i
(ion I lllink tlu^ lawyrrs rail it aad n!iiTf*d ta-n-.r thr inah “t his alirjM
liaus. r>Ul (hr (*ani‘f wmild allrw ur tiiiif i.. prr. iirr uitur .-;r'» Ml' riMth .rl ;
hr was liui'riial hitr trial all nnprrpar^i . asil fl i . irprr ..aiiat r *•{ (hr prnph*.
far s|»r.akill;c Ihr Inifli «*!' Ihi<‘ r iii .nUlruai'., wa.. arrar auHi likr a trluu, laai
driuiiiMl, linrd and iiapriMiir’d. '! h«* r arr Ihr laws fhr \rui iahh‘ rrtit hauaa
Wotihl ha\r yrii hi*li«*\r an* nrf nii!% .anrMrsird I'V I in* < ’nn.f it uSimh, hut dr
fimiulrd h.V Hit* iiri’r.‘4a{\ uT tin* Ilirrs J yr, ^Vr,
Tn (Irsrfihr (hr (‘rmr.a t»f IhUrii'k fftdirv is lU) :dtra«iivr (a ;iv, aiul
I will tlisruiss (hal hi'anfli td’ llii ndrn prrt with a tnj'h* tpit* ttuu:
is ihri't* at this tla\s td' ha- lltrrr hiaai hir jifiy yrH' pa (, limanu-
whirl) wi* hn\r srrii as iiuii*h nf party \iolriiri* a. wa i‘\rr hrhp'r
siH'lU oiir rt'r‘|HUi 'ililr innli («> hr fuMn^h Within llir Ihiundarir nf
this with* Ivrpiihlir, w hn Uniihl thdis iht* I’irht “f a Sta.tr tu rsprr
ihl’n' its la‘iri hit lift*, !hi‘ opininii nf II Jiruplr apain t thr «a»n titu
tionality nf an ar( oj’ , nr u hn wnidi] prnpn r tlr* rrrptici
inriit nf tin* alii*)) nr rtlitinn law i
'riit* ri^ht nf tlir hi ttiriaii tn raina wiflsMut rr rrvr atnt with. ait
nlfriisi* (lu* arts alhl rhara*'{rf *4’ dis’ra nl Staff larii is fnn wrll
(*;.t tihlisllt't 1 aiitl has hta-ti (tm rMrii n. r| \ arlrd upnu tu In* rallrtl in
((ihrd inn. athl in rrirat’i! (n {Ihsu, tin* n* (f aint nf flir masint t/> nuiv-
htis kKi', an* rninplirtl with \s!trii thr ripld i r\rrri rd in a suiv
and Jit a I ini(* tn ai nitl pi\ inp‘ pain I n mw i\ inn t rlaf i vr and fi'inal ;
hill in tin* ra: r hritirr it Iln nrra* inp i prn.rnfrd hn* atl itn|Utrv
intn thr hnuthlarit*s td’ fhi^ ri^td. I!nw murlmrvrr tlin r w hn havr
Mh‘rt*t*drt| (n Ihdrirk 1 Irlirv intls ch tad frnin thr urw hr r\
jn’rssrd, nr tlisappnnr td tht* rnili'M* hr plUsIlrti nil U parfirnhll nr
casinn, sill ri/^ld inind»*d Ainrrirau. will fnriwr*!* frralrfnlk rltrri h
(In* rrrnlhs-linn id' his nviT'.liailnw ifip’ rrvirr tn thrir rnnidrv, and
ri‘jnirr in tla* rimvirtinn that nntliiup' in hi hfr m* rlnrartrr at
(ac’htal ili lintinr lu hi., iiaiur nr ran ran r a i*lii h nii (hr rluadvs of
liis dr? r(*nihud‘ , d'hr appurriifly inrxpliraidr rirmui fanrr (iiat a
man whnsi* rsirly .‘-vnijadhins in (hr rsinsr <jf hinnsui rin'hts wrn* so
nnirli (h*('prr and .stiamn-rr tiuin (ImM* nf urn t nf thr lr;ulinp- nu'n
nf irp> tilur slmnld, in aftnr lift*. ha\r hrminr hliinl In (hr (rndrUt'V
of (la* nH*asuri*s hr i\wn appn>vt»(l. nr iuM*ir ihh* (u thrir rlh-rt- Ujuiii
that raiiM* is an riii.mna wlurh will dntildlr.,, in (In* pnen* . id’ tinir.
MS. IV, a. lar.
AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF MAllTIK VAH BUBEjST.
441
when facts are more fully disclosed and better understood, be solved
in a way consistent with the undisputed integrity of his character.
Light tending to that result has already been shed upon the subject
thro’ successive developments of traits in the personal disposition
and habits of Mr. Plenry not before so publicly known or properly
appreciated. Of those best acquainted with him personally and with
his public career, Mr. Jefferson ranked among the first and sur-
vived him longest, and of all Henry’s contemporaries it is due to
Mr. J eff erson to say that there has not been one more active in the
promulgation of facts which i*edounded to his fame, or, as I had
myself an opportunity to observe, more indisposed to enter into
disquisitions on the subject of such parts of his public life as he
(Mr. Jefferson) could not have approved, notwithstanding his general
willingness to answer questions upon any subject and to tell not
only the truth but the whole truth. A large share — I may say the
largest — of the statements so creditable to Mr. Henry were derived
from letters written to him ^ by Mr. Jefferson.
When asked by Mr. Wirt for some account of Mr. Heniy’s mind,
information and manners in 1759-00, wlien Mi\ Jefferson first became
acquainted with him, the latter thus re2^1ies:
Wo met at Nathan Dandridge’s in Hanover al)Out the Ohristmas of that winter,
and passed a fortnight together at tiie revelries of the neighborhood and season.
His manners had something* of the coarseness of the society he had frequented ;
his passion was liddling, dancing, and pleasantry. He excelled in the last and
it attached every one to him. The occasion, po-haps, as much as Iii.s idle dispo-
sition prevented his engaging in any conversation which might give the measure
either of his mind or information. Opportunity was not wanting, because Mr.
,Tolm Campbell was there, who had married Mrs. Spotswood, the sister of Col.
Dandridge. He was a man of science and often introduced conversations on
scientiiic subjects. Mr. Henry bad a little before broken up his store, or rather
it had broken him up, and within three months after he came to Willlamsbiirgh
for his license and told me, I think, he had read law not more than six weeks.^
Again Mr. Jefferson said, towa-rds the close of his life, to Mr. Levitt
Harris, an American Consul at St. Petersbiirgh, in the presence of
Nicholas P. Trist, who noted it down at the time,
Wirt says he (Henry) read Plutarch’s laves through once a year. I don’t
iKdieve he ever read two volumes of them. On his visit to Court he used ahrays
to j)ut up with me. On one occasion of the breaking up in November, to meet
again in tlie Spring, as he was departing in the inorniiig he looked among my
books and observed “ Mr. Jefferson I will talce two volumes of Hume’s Essays
and try to read them this winter.” On liis return he brought them, saying that
he had not been able to get half way into one of them. (Jefferson’s Complete
Works, Vol. VI, p. 487.)
His great delight was to put on his hunting-shirt, collect a parcel of overseers
and such like people and spend weeks together in the piny woods, campaigning
1 Meaning William Wirt ?
- .Tefferson to Wirt, Aug, 5, 1815. In the Jefferson Papers and i>rintod in Jefferson’s
Writings (Washington, 1854), VI, 483.
AMKIiU’AN lUSTUUU'Ah ASStU'LVl'ln \ .
Ill iiiirlit mill crncUin:-: jnki'S n>\itul a U’‘,lit wanil linv It jn's ^l I • ; * r«
iutlt'iifi'tl far tin' inuiiiimitff thtit /irriVN/r#/ tiin>>n>f irs. Ih* \v.iui*l !ht-
:iss<‘nililM,U’i‘S <>r lilt' p«‘ii)»lr at wliic’h In* wa*^ {ur 1*111. iu ' u« h aiaii: mI
(‘hniimnci' as Ilniuar wruU* hi. I in‘V('r lu*anl ;m>tlhu:' that il« r.. ?.,•
(•alh*(l )iy tin* satin* naau* with wliat an\v.*il fnnu Ihui; am! \\h**r.* lu* *..! that
tarri'iil of lanii'iiatc»‘ Is liii’niirrlvahii*. 1 liava riMM{Ui'th ly -hat iii> wlj'lt* hi‘
spnK“t‘, aiiil will'll hr was tlnia* askril niysrlf what In* hail Nahl wlthnul hciu.: ahh*
la n'(*u!h’('l a wont uT H. Ih* was truly a ‘^n'al man, havvt'vrr ana af anl.ir,:atl
vh'ws, I Uamlairs LUV ol’ Ji'hVrsun, val, 1 , p. Ih.)
l^Ir. Tlriu’v was n<»( a stmlrut in any srii n an«l all armuntf rnimur
in (|rsci’ihin/i‘ liiin as a man who, in all |»rnl»aliility, naiJ h* than
jtny nlhiM* in his Sia!<‘ oci’ii jiyiiiii: nnvthinp’ likr tlm aiin* p*- ifion in
S(H*i<*!y. Thai with (hr la-P's, hahils aiul pruvi'ilha!
ascrilKsl (n him hr .4innhl (lt‘\i>tr sniVu’irnt iintr t«i ttnlv ami nhlm*
lion njmn (In' prlnriplr.s of (In' sirnrinrr ami aihniui fiMtmn uf
(h»vi*rnnirnts In Irinl him (<> mlht'ri* in his nihnimi with a Ihlality
in’npiirl innrd in (In* sirrtiirth nf his runvirliHH ni thair truth ami
wisihain was ni»( In hi* r\]n*r(ril ami tliil imf happrn. In fr:n! fht*rr
forr <i(’ t’i\e’iila(inLr his mnvrmmls liy a prufa t*tl pi^liliral \ Imiu
for (hr funnatiim uf whirh In' was n*mli*rril im'mnprtrut hv tin* laws
of liis nainrr. In* luM*amr a man uf impnl r aiitl iith-iril hi. I’uur <* to
hr shapnl hy (Ijr fri'litiijfs of llir mnmrni. 'Hir n ui*r.* alway Inuir t
ami if (hr (jiU'slinns that prnihirril thrm w tu'r nf a!i r\'at imr rharartfr
In* I'.xt'rnli'il lus n*"nlvrs with a spirit amt [lowrr rarriy mjiiailml.
Iln* lawmlntinn ami tht' stirrimr rrpa*s (o whirli It ya\t* hirfh pn**
si'iitril tlu' ^»'r('al nrra inirmjf hi-- lil’r. Sinntr alum { to luailnrs* hv
Ihr unjust prrtrnsimis of (hr Mothrr ('oiuUry hv Imr ilrafnr^ ^ to
rt'mtmsiramH'S wliirh fnr nJhtiiy, rlnijumirr nml tmm*lu ivrur s nf
ar<»’um(‘n( w'rn' nr\‘(‘r rsrrllm! hy tin* Stafr papmw of an\ t‘i>untry.
am! ity the* rrmnr r|r ^ naii'lty with whirh :-hr Miut/hf to rnfuri’r hrr
wantniily opprrv,i\r ilrmaml . hr thrrw hi.-^ whoh* ami into tin* mn-
lc‘st, prrssrd furwarit in lirhalr junl hy hi- firry ami \rhi*mrnt natter
(‘lnqnrnrr roitsnl ami iin ti/ntait ril tin* : pii'it {»f (hr (’ouiitry ami
rrnwm'il hi- naim* with unf iirmt*- Innrrh . Thr ijur tion n i»» tin* pay
mrni Ihr Ih’iti li tlrht ; rxritml kimirrcl fri'llny . \io\i*il hy tiin
iinpnvrrishril rnmliti^sn to whirlt tin* Auirrtran tlrlitim, hi nrivh
hours uml Frii'm!', ha.l hrrn ri'ilurm! tliiaT tin* tyraimv ih' ihr Ilrhi h
t ro\'rrmm'ui , ami Ihinkiiur it lunrully i*ijjhl tlmt thr author of tlir
ilrhtorVi itmhilily ‘ Imuh! la* ilrivrn in ti'-sumr his rr*- pun ihiiit ir , hr
ajirain nnharkml in tin* ilisrussions whirh trrrw otit of that ili turhim**
(|m* iinn w ith s.unu'thinir of flu* urihmr ilmt rharurirri/ril hi r\rr
(inns iti thr ratlsr nf ihr rrvohitinn of wliirh thi.; wa: an out hoot,
ainl {ir<|nir(*i! a driJ^rtu* of fninr hy his oraturiral tli play ; rrouil onh
to that awanlnl to his sphnnlitl sriwirrs in that laima*.
In thr Vir*riuia (kmvrntion ralh'tl to dri'iilr u])on (In* rat itlr*itton
of thr hVilrral tkmsiilution lu' \Yas, to all npp**aram*r, quin* as
.JiAi
AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF MARTIN VAN BUREN.
443
deeply agitated, and, in tlie opinion of the patriotic, but, in respect
to the questions before that body, iiiisjndginiv anti-federalists, ac-
quired almost as much credit as was allotted for his part in tlie
revolutionary drama. With all my respect for that class of poli-
ticians, founded on convictions of the purity of their motives and
of their great usefulness at that and subsequent trying periods in
our history, I have never been able to draw any such impression
from reading the debates of the Virginia Convention. Mr. Henry
wielded against the sacred instrument which he had devoted to
destruction the same weapons that he had employed during the revo-
lution, but with vastly different results. His effoils were favored
neither by the state of the times nor by the nature of the cause. An
attempt by a powerful monarch to enslave his Country was an oc-
casion when noble daring in resisting was demanded by the fearful
exigencies of the hour — ^wheii inspiriting appeal, trenchant sarcasm
and thundering invective were as useful and as necessary in tlie
council as the trumpet, the sword and the cannon in the field, — as
acceptable to the hearts and judgments of an excited people, who,
in their desire for vigorous measures in great crises, are always
in advance of their representatives. But the Convention was de-
signed to be a conclave of graA^e Statesmen, convened at a period
of profound peace, to deliberate upon a question indeed of the first
importance but of a local character, undisturbed by the interfer-
ence of foreigners; a question in which all wlio participated in its
settlement had an equal interest, and which Avas not so clear, on
either side, as not to admit of honest differences of opinion, Avhich
AA’^ere to be decided by the Aveiglit of argument. VTiilst every thing
that fell from the orator of the Revolution, AAdiich breathed the
right spirit and was avoII directed against the common enemy, Avas
consecrated, in the estimation of his sympathizing hearers, l)y the
occasion and by the circumstances under AAdiich it Avas uttered, the
arguments, the illustrations, and the advice addressed to the Con-
vention AA^ere all maturely considered, applied to the important busi-
ness to he acted upon and digested by calm and capable men.
I repeat with deference and with unalfectcd reluctance that I
have never been able to rise from the perusal of Mr. Henry’s
speeches in the Virginia Convention, and I have tried it more than
once, AAuth an opinion in their favor Avhen compared Avith those
of the men opposed to him. It is to impressions that must have
been made upon the mind of Washington by those discussions that
T have attributed his cautious, tardy and confessedly distrustful
proceedings in respect to Henry at a time Avhen he AA^as, beyond all
doubt, disposed to compliment him highly if he could do so safely.
° MS. IA^ 1).
444
AMI'mtOAN’ iUH'rOKK'ATi ATIOX.
It is U(>U 1 think, possihlt' Unit Ihn fnnunr n:in h:iv(‘ nnul thr male
dictions pourcil out u[)on an instriuninit \vhic*h lH)rc his uauu‘, whirh
was rccouuncudcd Tor adoption (Uht his .diiiial nr(‘ and hu* thr
(‘OSS of which lu^ was so solicitous, and t*an havi' r(»lh‘c(iMl upon tlu‘
r(^asonino* hy which they wiu’c alUMuptisl to he justititsl to .s>nic
cxti'iit, at Uuist, incolu*r(‘n( and (o a nuteh ij^rcattu*, iiicone|u.'>i\’ts
witliout forming' an opinion of tin* nnist durahli* charactiu' mlvtust*
to Mr. II(Uiry s adaptation to the diM-haru’e cd' hi^rhly ri‘sponsih!e
ollicial dut.ii's. Hi* had, a.-, he avowial, slro^^' ]Hns*onal iudu<auueiUs
totn‘at him kindly, Himry haviu<*’ in a very ereditalde spirit stepped
i'oj'waj'd in <h‘IVnt‘i' of Whishiuiiton at th(‘ time of tht* (’tuiuay in
irig'iuv -an oi‘easion always r(Mm‘mhen‘d hy the latter with inttuist'
intiuvst. Tiu*. polili(‘al allinitii‘s oium* no dost* hi'twetaj Henry and
deth‘rson had Ikhmi sumh'nak a I’ireiuustauei* unhappily not uu
jaUalahl(‘ to Wasliin^U'ton, as wi* havi* a ri/jrht to infer from t!u‘
manner in wliieh tin* fact was communicated to him hy ITe, eoidi
dential fiaends; and y(*t. six yiairs wert* Nuilertal to elapse hefoi’i*
tlu» |>i*essiu^’ solicit at ions of la‘e wtu’i' erowne<l with ."'Ueces , ami
evim llnai (he nmiarkahl(‘ i‘ireuiut.p(*et ion he tihM*r\ta{ ami the .e
I’Urilies (akem a^caiii.*'.! niistaki's sa fe, innards of tlauusehe. wtdl eal
(‘ulatc'd to dtdeat tin* <’onl(‘mplated uen'otiatiiju u'o far tt? u tain
my impn'ssiou of (he nail state of W'a- liinicton's mind.
Hut, I pursiu‘ (his point no fanher. If tin* lat(i‘r years <d' Mr.
Henry's political canaM* wina* not in harmony with those which pre
(‘(‘.(led them it is (Uioii”:!! that they furnish no ]Li:round of inqieaeh
meni of his int.(‘/i;rity, and that he lived to disprovt* the. eimsure; taist
upon his p)’im‘ipli‘s in tairly lilV hy tho^;e with whom In* was, a!
ihi» time* of his di‘a(h, in full jiolitieal communion. It is i‘mu|tj:h for
his fami' for tlu'. fanu* of any man (o he known and reinemhered hy
his admiring’ count rynuai as (he companion and c‘o adjntor in our
revolutionary strnjc:^h‘ of Washiujudom Jelhus-on and (In* .\damse;,
who, if lu* was [>r{‘Venied hy peandiar ami nmami rollahlc* trait* of
(empiMaummt and tamst it u( ion from ri.sinir to their Imel a a u eful
stal(*smam die! not fall helow any of (hose ilhistrious; men in pure,
inhdli^ent and devottal jjutriotium
CHAPTER XXXIL
I sailed from New York on the execution of my English mission on
the 16th August, 1831, in the packet ship President, accompanied
by Mr. Aaron Vail, the Secretary of Legation, and by my son Mr.
John Van Buren. There were only three other passengers, among
them an apparently amiable and certainly modest and retiring young
gentleman who was a son of the celebrated Duke of Otranto.
Suddenly and I may say unexpectedly transferred from the tur-
moil and contentions of Washington — ^never perhaps more rampant
than at that moment — to the quietude of a midsummer Ocean, I
experienced sensations which tho’ well remembered I would not find
it an easy matter to describe. For more than a quarter of a century
preceding the day on which I stepped on the deck of the Presi-
dent ” there had scarcely been one during which I had been wholly
exempted from the disturbing effects of partisan agitation, too often
of the most bitter description. Whether as a subordinate and
doubtless, at times, over-zealous member of the political party in
which I had almost literally been reared from childhood, or as its
leader for many years in my State, or as a Senator in Congress, active
and ardent in Federal politics, or in the Cabinet of Gen. Jackson,
first in point of rank and second to none in the confidence of its
Chief, the responsibility and anxiety growing out of my successive
positions, tho’ varying in form had always absorbed my time and
my faculties. During the two years immediately preceding my depar-
ture there had been few working days which had failed to bring their
load of care to my door; the laborious occupation required by the
details of the President’s Message, the political and official demands
upon my attention regTilarly and plentifully emptied upon my table
from the mail-bags with the spoken alarms of timid croakings of
complaining and rarer congratulations of satisfied friends by which
every public man, resident at the seat of Government, is doomed to
be beset — ^these were but new representations upon an enlai-ged scale
of the same general features which had characterized my whole pre-
- vious life. These constantly recurring sources of excitement had
now, one and all, been suddenly closed. The first morning at sea
came unaccompanied by any fresh supplies of the stimulating ail-
445
44 (;
A.MKKIt’AX inS’rnllH'AL ASSnt ‘lATinW
nu‘nt In which ni\' niiinl h;itl been 'U’ciiNinimMl, ;unl (»!ic ir:iiu|uil i|:iy
lollowi'd aiiuihrr only to rari'V nu* riirlluT iVnin tiic iylu and tlu*
sound of ihc |>oIi(ical stril’i' and labour iti uliicli 1 Inul bctai .-.o
(•(‘as(‘lossly and proniincnl ly parliciijatil.
Wdunt (he lirs(. tuixini jVi'liny.' proihirctl by (hi-, inhlcn and nTcai.
ehanive had siiOici<*n( ly snl)siil<*d my aljonlion was naPirallv dirri’tcd
to a oarcd’ul r(‘vie\v of (ho inoi’r lauand stirrino* Si’tmo thro' which 1
had ptissial and of (In* s((»p'‘- whii'h ! had (hounhl it proper to (aki'
to meet (lictu. ddic rcsidi of (hi.- ri-tro pin*! wa an ntihc' itaf iiiL*:
conviclion ilial |]u‘ coiirvt^ I had pnr ucd liad beru (hi’ ui c ( with
in my power (hat which \\i\ be* ( adapled P? do tin* nreate .l af
iainahli' jiisliet' io twanw inbn'e.d which if was m\ duly (n rcspeel.
monumlary incon\a'nii*nee to which 1 had expo Pil nut* of the
(riu^sl. friimds man twi'i* had by my re .io’iuif ioiu my en e *,f winch
hatl h(‘cn <|nickened by (he ^reni'^‘• (hm' v.|ii«-h I had pa r'd with
him in i(^^ pro/j;ress, w*as a rtnin’c of .iineere rep ret, dliat m'i had
also 1 (m1 Io oilitM' tanraMjnenei** , nmre partienlarlx applicable (o mv
self and to :.ome (‘Xtent injMrion : btd both cenied {a nir to havi'
luum nna\a»idabh‘ rt'.adls of a .-.tcp wlbieh wa - itopo cd np«m me by
coiisidm-ations 1 was not al liberfy (o tlt..rei‘'ard, and I wa; ctmtulenk
(liaf. (hi'V would be more fhan madt‘ nauM! by (lie .ol^-autajo* of mv
action fo other and liiyher intere t . Si renr:! hened h\ tlii: emivie
tion atid ^:a(i^di(‘d wilh the pa t, tla* tinu' and the ituation i*eiueil
fa\‘<iral)!(\ (o a definite seKlemerct «d’ my future eotn* e, I havr al
r(*ady said (hat by ac<*t*pf irm' the mi l<m (<• h'.imlaml 1 rrrai‘det|
inyself as havin'i: virtually al>andoiii*d whatever eluinee I mi«d!t
liavt\ jie(|uir(Ml u{ reaehin.v (he Pre; id»mey, and that \ had o in
formed (hm. d;n’k'.(Mi. lhat.'Oii and i*\perienee ftuhade the rXpia-la
lion that jiiiy jaditieal party woiilrl vtdnniardy eneonnter the la k
ol sek‘e(ine' as its eatidiilati' an imlividnaj jaMailiarly «jbii.,xion . to
its ad ver:. {tries ami of whom strimd^" jeidoti ie\ were rheri hed hv
rival ItNidtu';, within its own caimp, after he had him elf rwhsi rd it
I mm (wtm (In* appcrirance id’ ohboation impo ved bv previon mnlual
relations and had lt‘ft fho.t* rival , in undi puled pt* e i..n td* the.
field of compefifion. In lht‘ cjilnier moments I now ettioved I
could tliink cd’ no uspta*( in wlih’h dial opiniem tamhl be eon idered
that, would e;ist. a doubt upon its correc’fin’ s. 'Po lia\e maintained
the advaii<*e (owjtrch, the Pre ideney at whic'h I liad arrived when
I threw up (heoirua* <rf Secnd.ary of State, the (dlVetmd emuse woidd
^i*t^e hi*en (o ha\e r<‘l U’cd 4ab 'nlu(ely frtun all piihlie emplcj\ fujuit
and to have, entinaal upon the praetier* tjf my prop* itm and the tilV
ol a. pri\{ite eiti/i'ii, I he disinU*resleilni*ss of mv mc^tiva* . would
thus havt* heem jdaeial above (he nnieli of cavil, ami a majorilv of
(he people, (uipindy idtaehed to (lie Pivsidcmt and indipnauflv iv
sentiiig the injustice lu‘ was made to suH'er, would, at the jimper
Ar'I’dlUtMUiAIMl V f)K MAll'riN VAN lUUlKN.
447
tinu', tlonumtli'il my i4t‘v:iti()n <lu‘ suilablt^ n^waial for (lit'
siH’ri(i<a*s I had iuad(‘ to him ami (o pruiiiolt* hi- ‘-iiri-i*
Tlu' dispassionait' nn’onsidfrat ion of (ht^ “suhjtM*!, in my tlum
ra\‘onrabh' ]»o'-itinn for making it, only (‘onlirnunl ilmsi' Hr t im^.
pri'ssions; and to disranb totally ami Tonnana tlio idt'a of bfonminfi;
Iha'siihmt. bia’amn tlunad’on* tho tixrd and srlllrd pui'pt> »• of luy
inimh
'Tbai I was abln to nmu' to that tamrlnsion with ptM'ftMd tMpianin^«
ity was attribtdablo in sonu* dt'^rtn^ to im]u‘(‘ssioir. in rnnard
lht‘ n<lvanta^es ami <li>‘ailvuiitaiit*'^ the* pltaisurrs ami annoyam-tM
(d* pnblir lib* dtoavtnl from a full rxprrii’Utas of \vhi<’h 1 hav<‘ oi’imi
‘ |)okt*n. Idiis was in tiadh (hr .'.tatt» of my miml at tlu* liimN bowiom'
bard of bolitd' it may r^rinn t<j tho n amomj!: my rout tanporarir ; wdio
aai‘ still on iht* : fairr of lift' and ulm myardiMl nu^ a- lla* '' luanioian
1 was ralltMl iuwit o mucdi in my rlrnuml or sn ha]>py as winat
t‘mph>\aal in riUitMud inn; and atUaiirinf^ politiral intriniu* , I mu.t.
tii)| In* nmh’r.*{ood by anyihiun I havt* lu'ri*. said a-^ nmh'iw aininn' tho,
honor, dinnlty ami tj rfidiu* tif (hr I ha’‘.i«lrn( ial idlif'i*. Nm Ana-ri
I’an riti/rn ran fail to ri*inir»l tliat position a , in iwnw' o- pool, (hi*
nio t t'saltrd a; it 1. tbr (no .( rf pon iblt* pnblir (ni i (bit tsin bo.
(‘onfrrrrd on man, for flu* arqui-idtui i»f wliirb m* .-^sirritior , otj (j}o
part f d’ <}m‘ rtunprfi‘nt (o di'^diari'o it dmit' .ran bo ili*riu»*d nui nri»al
whioh do not Inoludo tbo aoriiii’o of Inmor or* nioialilv. Ibif tbo
t*xti*nt to whirli por. imal happinr ;miml ouioym{*nf will bo proio»j(i*<l
by it . po M* .dtiii i a qmv4 inn tn In* sohotl by tbo taAo and tojuprr a
mriit of tiro inrnmbont. I'lioro aro mom atid tmt a b*w, wlrn tl^oivo
so mm’h ]>h‘asnro frtim tbo mi*ro po-^ os itm of lO’oat powor tint any
di'jLiroi* of di ati daotion oan' t*it by it v oxoroiso !■. rttd tim doar a.
prii*i‘ for tbo ro\o{ot| iiidul*^onoo, amt tbo por onnl adula(i««n whioh
i% snro to follow tin* foot^loj*. t>f anlbor'ily ubilo it la. t - 1111 (ho
nH*a^airo of I la*ii’ sat i faoi ion, d’huso fu*tti*r rojrrdafod mind , bow
ovor, ubi»o ^nsif itioat inn tm roaolun*/ that bittb ^dlioo i. m.only
dori\od from tbo run oi»m.no-. that tlanr onimfrwmon ba’^o droinod
lla*m waniby of it amt frann tbo hopt* fhnt tboy may bo abir to
jmdify that oradnlr^nta* ami to iliM’haro^o it dntios o a to pr oumto
(ht* ])trldio ooiid, wdl sir** tbt*insf*lvo > from iO'oat di app»snt no-nt ■
by pt»stpcndrnf all Ibouidd . tif urtli\ijlnal t‘njo\mont !«• tlo* onruph’
1 ion of llit'ir labor* . If (Im o who {* on o of chit v and v b‘‘ »• dis
ji(fnti«m< aro nf (ho .h.ir’ai'lor whii’li al«mo rarr lit tliom bn- (hat
■fation lojiK (n *'oiiio muoli por onal ♦o’at itioat ion uluh* wamin^fho
rt»d ot pejuoi* tln*^ w dl bnd in that a in all o(hor- human oalsulat mri';
and plan “ bo«oin mi raiib In-hiw ," that
‘I hi* aiitoo* 0J**0‘* b l*«u Urat hk»j“’ luut.r
t jiih: Uj fla* |<i
^(•= r V, i*. \ o».
448
AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION.
At the very head of their disappointments "will stand those in-
separable from the distribution of patronage, that power so dazzling
to the expectant dispenser, apparently so easily performed and so
fruitful of reciprocal gratification. Whatever hopes they may in-
dulge that their cases will prove an exception to the general rule
they will find, in the end, their own experience truly described
by Mr. Jefliei’son when he said that the two happiest days of his
life were those of his entrance upon his office and of his surrender
of it. The truth of the matter may be stated in a word: whilst
to have been deemed worthy by a majority of the People of the
United States to fill the office of Chief Magistrate of the Republic
is an honor which ought to satisfy?' the aspirations of the most am-
bitious citizen, the period of his actual possession of its powers and
performance of its duties is and must, from the nature of things,
ahvays be, to a right minded man one of toilsome and anxious
probation.
In these opinions and feelings I had become more than ever
confirmed before the termination of my voyage. Under their in-
fluence I resolved to limit my future public life to a residence for
a "few years at the Court to which I Avas accredited, in the per-
formance of jDublic duties entirely congenial with my habits and
disposition, and which I hoped to make useful to my Country and
creditahic to myself, and after their expiration to return to my
home, if x^erinitted by Providence and to the pursuits in which
my last years have been employed and from which I have derived
more true happiness than I have ever before enjoyed. It was in
the full belief that such was to be the chart of my future life that
I landed in England and with such views I would, in all probability,
haA^e returned to my native land but for a transaction alr^eady al-
luded to and which Avill unavoidably become the subject of further
comment hereafter.
My recei)tion by the King and his Ministers was cordial — as it
then appeared to me, particularly so. But the latter impression is
not uncommon on the minds of our Ministers arriAung at European
Courts. EemoA^ed as Ave are from the rivalries and consequent jeal-
ousies and, in some cases, ill will which are always more or less
affecting their relation Avith each other, they have more seldom rea-
son to qualify the exhibition of entire cordiality in the reception
■of our diplomatic representatives. In England this is perhaps espe-
cially the case, and I doubt whether in any other Country the great
body of the people enter as largely into the policy of their Govern-
ment by exertions to j^roduce upon the representatives of foreign
■Governments favorable impressions towards their own. In addition
to the good dispositions thus common and creditable to the Govern-
w
^ IfTOiUCHiUAlMI V (»K ^tAUTtN VAN lirUKN. 44U
ph' t»f Knghuul tlu'n* had Imnx haitun's in llu* land
tM'n tlu ‘111 aih! Atulr(*\v Jat-k^on wliiidi at {ht‘
r^sion, (o ^ivn iiuTvasint in ilaist* Andin^s us
lih'iitial i‘h‘i'(inii nf (uui. dufk-tui wa-. far Irtun
tdiuiiv [aisiiitm ui ndutuui (n flu* anta^nni tlr pnlitii-al
^sdiu’li titu i u'n <i:n‘at parties in ilu* Cnuulrv had prtdVss-
-nud, d’ht* lar^t' \t»(a lit* nn’uivnd was tnaiidy iirtnluriMl
admini(i(m nf his milifnry (‘harurtnr aiul a widt^
linn of his itdafit^'ikv iu all Ihin*';: . *l\i (lu- «• t-ni! ad
jnldad dissat isfiU't inn with tht* influtaua^ <» T (hr ruihais
!iad aisjtnrtal (’nnsidrrahla ftirta' in all quartrt' , !li .
; (hrt’td’nn*, l<i a *i;raa{(»r i*\(t‘n( (luiu had r\t‘r hid'nrr
i xr{| nnr /Lrivt'a hy AMuiua* iidlM‘rt*n(s nf all partir.. Hut
dians lliUs prn<huaMh alllin’ ilirfasir.tsl hy {jthfU’ c'aU t'.,
lUT arrt“.lr<l lhan was antiripa(rck *Hi aly ahuiurtl hy
j’inu {Inrtriluv* advaiirrd hy Mi*. Adams U'. tlir ha s uf
mlinm the* sUpjHirhT.. td' Mr. ('raufnrd, rult titnird nf
ly nf the* old ta'piihlirau nrpaid/.at inn, adt»ptrd < h-m
it‘ir randida((‘ Mr, ('rawlnrd'. ruutinurd Isul hralth
• fiiiuri* iurnmprlrnry ri*innvinf>; r\rry prj tasil m|>
adopt inn nf that nmr r tm his urmuiit, mid (hf^ prin
( Ijy ( h*n. Jai’lisniu in iht' rurlirr prriod'. i»f hi . piihlir
f ihrni si rnnp*’ pnlil iral riaa>iu‘u|.n*nirnt to pur inmt, ( )nr
Urnri‘s nf this atrp was a vvilhdruwul frnin his r idr nf
»ld IrdmdislN whn had at hr I nnlinu'rd it \i.ith murh
li (hi* r\ri»ptinn nf fhr {mrtirulur fririul^ nf Mr. riuy,
il rrnrpiid/aiinn nf thn-r nhn had aippnrtrd JrliVr mj
iif^uiu:4 Mr. AdauisVi uilmitu iratifin and in fuvnr nf
if dark nn.
" l*nwrr nf thr ( 'niiufry 'uiw in ihi^ miijunrhirt* an uu
trsititiu in it , .uprriuiuw, and tin* thank nf tin* rnitrd
inllw a !ikr n* idiuna* (u ihn rxtrnsion f»f jf ^ nharti-r.
tiiuptilUih* whh’h rharHrt«U‘i/r% thr nnn j*ijn*id.s of that
i*vy hidd <jf rsrrlinn it tln‘n*rnrr diUrnHiurd in untn'i
i*Ntiniu us W(dl a- tin* adnptinn nf t»ru. dark 4iid. r.m
in ttnitrtl dt*mnrrarvs ami tn takr thr m-t'r ,ar\ trp%
i rkniinil. A laisp* pnrtinU of tiir lurk of thr Ihuik
Knidamh juan-dpatl\ hy hunkm* . ami hv thr prutiy,
Idrinrli nf di t iurt iciii, many of n hniu had fis-r -ns r .
inuurni and wrrr r:ipahlr uf intlnrnriuir it . arliun m
flrrahh* dr^rrr. ddii intm* !, hy rrusiiu nf thr tiunnrr
a allrrrd (<» hr rHpu rd frniu thr rlrrt inU nf tJrn.
iri/ardrfl :i a turr Imu r from whirls with t!a* rtj
sn an
^**1 *!
.\T)0 AMKltlt'AN 1 1 lS'rt)IU<‘AK ASSfU '! ATinX.
t*<>in‘M^(Miu‘i)( Liiul svinpat hit'-’ ol tlu' I'Utii't' ut»»uii'(l In Imj'ji'
hint!, Ilu' Hank iniu'ht i\ n ahl in tin* tniiuLrlr npnit
whit'h ii luul n*snlvt'il forllivvith tt> t*ntt‘r. Afortlini’'! y it i*nmnit‘n«’«Ml
its labors, thro' tlu* iiirdium of it- iMiiiiish Iritnuh anti pi»iij»ui «it
tlu* Knfi^lish press, to j)n*jntrnM' tlu* ininiNtry aiul the public miiul
of (iront Hi'itaiu a<i:ainst (h*n. »Iat‘k'-on, anti t<t raust* it to tic hi*
lioved thi'ou^hoiii tlu' kiui^tloin that lii- flt*ctioii wotihl Ik* the pn»
{‘ursor of innt'h ’ trouble ainl po-sihly tif war hi'tween the ^^^o
( kuini rit's, I'hesi' elforts wt'rtu in tlu* hr t initaiun*, quite suect*' ful,
and in various wavs {‘\ertt‘d an t*\len i\e inilnetu'e upon tlu* ran
vuss. Not all tlu* selli fi o’heines atul in(ri;L^ut*s and inunoral in
(luenec's liowt'Ver, which couh! be M*t in inotioti and bnuudil to
b('ar iiinhu* tlu* auspices (d* tlu* Moinyv Hov\cr of both {’oiuitric;;
(‘oilld ri'sist tlu* wide spreatl uiul (h‘i'p 't'alt'd jmptdarity of Jack on,
1 1 is <*le(’l iou produci'd t.p't*at alarm in Kmjland hut the forcbtjdine’
out of \vhi(’h it spruui/: were spei*dily ami happily fal died bv Icizit
iina((* means. ICuc-land wa *-. fort unatt*l \ , repn* i*nfcd. at the tiim*,
iu‘ar oui’ (lovernuu’Ul by Sir t‘harle> Kb \bundiau, a prartiral, in
t(*llic(*nt and (hoi*ouc!:ldy lame t mau, uluu altlm’ mpat !u /inn, a^
almost all forei/Li’n mini*JerN tlo heia*, with the part\ then in uppo
sit ion, Was too >eU‘-ihle a man to aet upon the repre cut af ion tliat
had hi*en made to him in respeet tt» the nt*w Hreadi'in': ycncral
reelings towarils iMi^laml at tlu* moment \\hen in idrrt mu ua
st'eured and win*!! hi* lorei^n policy was about to In* ant bent i»’all\
indicat<*d by hiinst*lf. Steps alreatly refm'red to \u*re taken at the
(•arliest praeticahh* ilay afti*]* the complete* tireutti/at mn of the
(’uhinet to hriuii’ tlu* whoh* iliplomatic I'orp . in coninuinieat inti udh
tlu‘ HlH*.sitl(m( elect and to alford them nmn* leliahlr oppotinnitie
ami h{*{t(‘r faeilit ii*s to uu'seiire his dispos itions a* a., hi cajiaei
Tu's than <‘onld la* dt*rived from hostile onree-. dliest* Sir (*hailr.
emhraeiul with a sinci’re desin* to arriM* at the tnith ami it did
not tak<* him lon<r to hetaum* t-on\ineed of the extent to ulmJi tlie
(i(UU‘rars eliaraeter and temper Ita- Iumui misnqin* riittab or to at
isiy himst‘ll (hat as lon^' ;is Ids, t?o\ernmen{ coulineil it claim, to
wind Was ri^ht it could lle^d^'e no better man to deal utlli than
Hrt'sidrnt flucksoii, 1 lu*.s{* vit'Us he het uo time in etiuunuuicat iuEi:'
to his t iovt‘rnmt‘ut and 1 need not adil Huit thi*y produced decuh-J
and /LrratifyiujLr eU’eets. J’he early appreheu tom. of the Ibatih
(hivenuneut, tlu* proee. s by vhieh the\ lunl lunm > u pnidml and
finally dissipa((*d and the ^p’atdieatiou <*\pm’ienced on lindnm I hem
to have* been unfounded wen* freely referred to in tnv inteia lew
witli (he Kiiin; and his ministers, and alwa>s with unartei'terl ati.
faetion. On the oeeusion id’ my last visit to him at Wind tu-.
MS. iv. ii, nin.
ArT{)nH)i;HAlMl V OK MARTIN VAN HOllKN.
451
Kin^ Williiiin took nu‘ asitlo luul tlasiTilxMl to nu' tlta (‘xtaot to
which all classes of his siihj(‘cls had heo.u ulanmal hy the iu*ws of
(lu‘ (h'lUM’ars (‘h'(’[ioiK Bni 'k lu' saith inysi*lf rr('t‘ fruni
thosi* alarms, for 1 luivo ntatie it a nilc thro' lih* ncvio* conthanii
an untriial man, anil, in ivspert (o sni’h matters, 1 r<*<i:anlcil Mr.
rlackson'' (so he called him) ‘’"ns phuTt! in (hut position. 1 said
to tliosi' wlio expressi'd to me their apprehimsiom-, I will jndiife Mr.
, Jackson hy his acts; 1 have done so and I am satistied that wc
shall liave no reason to (‘omplain of injustice at lu-^ liamls/'
WluMi such feelings enter the breast of dohn Hull lutlier towards
lurei/xn (iovernmenis or towards (lu'ir subjects or citi/.eu% it is imi
in his nature to suppi*ess Ihtum Nor did (he disposition evinced l)y
the Kin^ and hy (h<* people (o ack now lest (hm. dackson's juUi<’e
and ma^aianiuiity appear to he in any de'iree ntaikencst either l»y a
nM‘olU'etion of the sevtua^ mu'ountm’s which luul (aktm place hetweea
Us in the War of ISPJ, oi' hy (he animosities and events of an older
dati'. A pcoph» less pmerous and hijuiimimlct! nii'du allow ihcm
seh’es to 1 h‘ (liiis airected, hut I did Uut on any ta'cai i(j!i uituc . the
exhihition of such prejndiet*s on their part. I lune, mi (lie ccmtrarv,
id'ten lu'ard them speak of the triumphs which the ftoaunc ui \sar
had ‘d\‘eu to niir arms at their t^xpimsj' in (la* wa\ in uluch a hra\c
nation, ('onscions of its .stnme'th, <’onld alVord to peak of tliosr h\
whom it had Innui occasionally diMealed; a conci* si«)n in mir ca i*
donhlli*ss made less diOietdi and li‘s^ unpalataldc hy tin* emradcra
lion of the extent to which ^\e wm*e dcManuled from n enmmou an
<’(‘slry, 'rhe Duke of Uiehmoud, spiaikiu^ rtf the hat(!(* of NfW
Orliums, (old me that his regiment was euji»:u|i»:ial in tiiat act mm huv
in^ luam trausferri'd to the railed Slates imuu‘diHtely after the
tiU’iuinaliou of (he war on (he ('outimmt, and that he hud ht»en
aeeidentally pri'vented from a<‘companyin*r it, as it Inul hiam his
intimtimi (o do, iti which laise, he addeil, with a hearty luuj^dn he
would prohahty havi' m‘ver enjoyial tlie pteu%un‘ of takinn me hy
the hand in k'nj^laniL He said ''it cannot he denitMl that yon llourtnl
us (here, hut we do not think the wor*a» of you for that I '' lie ;.|iolv»*
mi tliat oiaaisioiK I doubt not, the hading*- of his (‘ountrymeii |m«ii
enilly: 1 am sure that he did so far as m> nle,er\ at imi extmide.i.
Sincere respect for the idiaract^n' of (Icm rJack t»m ami an e.irne t
desire that lihiM'ul and friendly inten'mns>e .should he enhivated
ijj'hMam Ihi* two ( * 0111)1 r‘ii* svere not onl\ pic\ ailing hut uctiie 5^*1
ini/ on (he part ot (he (io\ernmenf and peoph* tif (Ireat thifain
at the p(*rind of my arrival, and enu ideratimt <4’ the cln .e rela
timi (‘xistintr hetwtum the (ieneral nml my elf, uf which they were
\v'i‘ll inforiuc*!, dotil»fh»s.s had its inilueiice, ladorc tliey knew aij\
thin/i' of me j«ersonall\, in semirin^^ (he luarktni cmirti-^y nu«l hind
ness with which I was treateil during my entire stay in (hut (‘muitry.
452
AM KUU ’AX It \SSi u nx VlnS.
4'lu* tjU(‘>(i{)n {){’ tlu' Not’lh Iv.ulorn iHin!t4;U'\ h:ui ju A Im* ‘ u lU*
t iilrtl l»v iiu* luupinx aiul Ilua-f wa^ rioilniu’ In h»» iiunr m liir
at- Loudon, in rrirunl to it -aNt* to nbtaiu lanr t*\|4an.iU'nr- and
avowals on (hi^inirt {»r tlu^ IL-itih < n»\ i'rnni»‘nt uai'di to** l*r. -ah ni
tliouii'iit iniulit. farilitatt' iiis tovn antion upon tho u!>it‘«'(, and
whii’h \\an'(’ promptly math* on my ap|dination. !»<• idn tin- tuduia!)
and constantly act’rniim hnsint*^. (lu‘r»‘ \m\ no [»oint *4 pr^aal uu
porlanta* in t»ur national rt'Iatiou* that iinmaudctl attratam
that td’ Inipn*-smcnt, a suhi<‘ct which wa- , on !<tnh ati* lamudni
as posscssin*^ a dni’i’ct* td' importance nt»t aili rtpamtl} raah.O'd, It
tmd Ind'ort* and after the war uf |sl:L idalnuMtalv th.afr rd
in .*u‘\a*ral siicct's i\i* m-pot iat ittn . l»y stain* td' tin^ ahh- i mimi tj|
both Count rit*s Imt withtmt ? at i''-fai’t<irv result .. d’hr atleat ni mui
incn‘asi‘ in numlu*!*.', reptitation anti all tdt*mtm(Nt»t natninal drr'ivnti
sint‘ir that period, ami td' the nertuiuty of war np»tn the tli f esi-r
(‘isi* <d‘ the rip'ht ehiimed, in renno inp apprelu-n i*m «d' t tit no
(rotihh* from that •amree wen* not then fiin-eim. 4 he urasniatan:
of a satisFaetory arrangement in re pert Ui u, mI'i.-h hrF'ae att^-mpird
was maih* Iht* leading point in my in trn‘dion . '1 lie Pre jdi-m
had aIloW(‘(l na* a lilw^ral [tart ieipal ion in liit*ir preparation, aiel
helit*vinp that nom(‘sst‘nt ial oh faele . in the v\ay of former nevo
tiations had l)et‘U remoMal, 1 entertained troip*' hop,- td' aieer-
in that on uhieii 1 propo ed to (*nfer. Se\eral mfeinirw took pia*!
het w«*i’n l/oi’tl Pahnerston, fla*n Mini ter td' I*‘«o'en*;ii All ur , ami
myself, in whieh the whole * nlijeet was talhetl ti\er wltli mneh free
doin and eainhii*. \d(*WN {‘tjually liheral in tladr priiei ii heai iin
with thosi* reeenfly aetisl upon hy tla* Pritr h (HOernmeuf in re
pmrtl to the riphf id’ seareli t|ne4n»m wen* i*\prt* etl m f* udei
views hy hi . Lord di ip in the im'erity of wPieh I plaej-d
emilidt'iiee. 4‘liat the presmw at ion nf paeitie ami ennird r»d it;»m
heiween tin* two eountries was an ohjeet of nmn* imptutaiee ft
(he welfare of both than the elaim of f*ith»a' in relafsai to th^
suhji'et mat t<*r under eonsiderat ittn wa , a sturtinp p»imt in ten
df*lilji*rnlion.s ami wi* did not doubt that a way etudd he de\i rd !e,
w liieh tlu* rights of both to tin* erviee:, ttf tlimr t-ane u lu f me
of pisua* eonld he *ernred wiflnnit a r»* t »rt to Irr'natim^ prosed
inps of any deseriptiom ami thus a jirobtie . ouree of eMiUrmioi
1 h* removed. All tlint seemed nee(*s>,;iry to tin* fruilittr of the *
(‘Xp(*i‘(a(ion.. war; a more elip-ihle eondilion in the atfaii of Lmdaie
|o pro-eeiiti* the nt*pot iat ion. 44ie eonferenees of tin* ! *pi»*ein:i
tive-; ii( tilt* priiH’ipal powers <d' Knrope, upon who d^dilteisd ittn
(hi* cpit‘dion of peaee or war warn snppmed to depriaL Ssirtll^ P
than Kaplaud horsi*lf w*ere eouvuWil hv the tieree agitation of ih«
AUTOIUOUIIAIMI V OK MAIITIN VAX UOKKN.
458
nuMisnro of Pui‘lianu‘u(ary Ivi'Torai hrou^'iil. forward hy Ijord
(iroys adnunisti*a< ioii. 'I'ho vxltMU (o whicli (Ids sul)jc(‘t oniployad
till' tiiiu' and riMjuirnd ihn a(*(ivr atii'ution of (hr Minis! ry ran
w('ll hr ima^'int'd. "rinw (*ons(*([urn{ ly <h'sin*d (.o (Uday ilrhnitivr
a<‘-tion upon any othrr the inunrdia(r srtiUMurul. (d* wlTudi was nol-
nudha* of prrssin^* iu‘t‘rssi(.y. It. was iu(>r(‘ovi*r apprtduuidinl (hat
i( would hr nrit hrr safr nor exprdirni to hi’iu<>‘ hr Ton', tlu' Couio
try, at. a })rri()d of siudi violrnt rx(‘ilriurn{, a mtatsurr in rt'spiad.
to whirh its srnsihiUtirs had hrrn on prrvious ot‘(‘asions ' ih^rply
luovrdj and witli whitdi lai’fifr portions of its pi*o|)l(» l)(dir\t‘il its
naval suprtanat’v intiiuattdy (‘onnr(‘t<Hl. It was f(*ar(Ml that no proj-
rrt in r(‘la(ion to a (|Ui‘slrion so liahlr (o h(‘ nia<l(‘ a disturhin/j^ oias
liow(n*(*r wisely d(n*isrd and ri/^’ht in ilsidf, <‘oult! rs(*api‘, if hrou<i;li(;
for‘war'<l at tin* luouiriit. (hr ^i‘nrr*al \'or((»x <d’ partisan prrjudi(‘(*s or
a(jidtl h(‘ jtal^rd upon its own nirrits. Tlu'sc* roiisidrral ions W('rr
introtlurril with .suitahlr dcdirary hy l^ord Pahnrr.ton as fiirnisli-
iu^ rrason hn* j)ost ponin/j; finiluu* action u|)on (hr suhjrrt of our
rousulation uutil afti'r (lu^ S(dtlrnirn( of (hr Ihd’orui t^)iu‘sti(nn aiu!
prrrri\iua; thrir wri'dd atid fully ludirviuiLr that I hr ( Jovj'ruuMUil.
wtudil hi' :airrr'»sful iu thi' ^tu*a( doiiu'.dir routrovrisy whiidi iiio
pt'tidnh and wouhl thus hr rtiahli'il to art iu our tnaltrr witli li'ss. lan ■
l)arras.aja*nt , I (’onrnrrrd in (hr su‘riri“tion for dtduy.
Ijonl Ihihiu'rston uficrwards informed mr that tlu» Kin<.>; had
rouiiuaiidrd him to rxpr’rss his sat i.sfart urn with (hr rour^r I had
pur uiat upon tin* suhjiM't, and 1 havi‘ nrvm' iloulitrd (hat my u(mo:4
wishes wotdd have Inam r('ali/tal if llu'ir sni’rt'ss upon the nd’orm
ijiirstion hml hri»n iinqualillrd and if I had n*maini‘d at the post
ns^ipnal to nus ^riu* r(*jr<-(ion of my nmninatiou hy tlu' Sematr
within a month or (wcj pr<*.srnlrd imprrativi* reasons for ahamloninix
tlu» iii'jLrot iat iom 8'1 h* news id’ that rrji'rtinn rrarlual Lomloii diiriiqj^
tlu' (‘\rniiu*: hrfon^ tlu'. (irst Drawing KNitnu of tlu' siaison,
and wa% piihli-lird (lie next, morning' in tlu' new^-papm*-.. 'Fhe ra<'(.
dial till' prorrrdiujLT:; of itu' Senate had litam <‘arrird on with rlo .lat
doors was stated in a way whirh ron.sidrri*d in ronnrriicm with dm
similarity of the aei’ounts in tht' ilith'rtmt journal , ju tllird the
inft'nmrr that (lie ori^dmal had hnm prepared in the rnilrd Stair ,
and had hiam misi’hirvously rimeorlnh 'Pho: i* who wrrt' not auarr
that tht‘ rxrriitivr husiur^'s of (hr Smialt* i. alway. tlui . tran artial
woultl naturally infer that the <‘harp‘ . upon whiidi its dee. inn hao
hi'cn fo!indt‘i| impnliM] t'rimr or, at tin* haisl, sonu* olFenri^ pailakin/^
of ihal /‘hararter. I had strong reason for snsprrtintjf dm ajurney
«d‘ an Aim*riram (hen in London, in th<* r<m(rivan(‘r, lad a ^ my
pi-ciof ua nnl pn id\r I tio not mention his name. I‘'indin^»: myridf
MS. IV. a if.n,
AMKUU’AX insi‘(»lU<‘Ah ASS( M *| A'l'in N .
454
»f tlh‘
t[ni(t‘ uinvt*ll ia (he luorain^ I had di*(t*ratiiu*d iin{ fu atinid tht^
I )ra wilin' Kooiu uud <o ki‘ap ii) luy Inal ftir thv day aia! lau! diris tnd
iny mail (a In* hraun’ht to my lunl rn<»m. Slriadv 1>\ thr ami nal
mimher of my h^ilars, 1 >i*hM’(i'd, from aman^ .'ania'al oa wlu-’h 1
roran-nisial a handwi'itinn* familiar fa im*, aiu* fram my iru t \ friend.
(’luir<'hill ('. ( 'amhrtdrn^i:, (hmi a ri'prrsmdat ivr in (’taitrrr fr^au
{Iu‘ cily of N(‘W ^‘arlv whirli iir.st infarmed mr id' tlir aatmu
SiMiati* ia (lirM' (arms:
\V\saiM;m-%, .'7 Jnn'ii. /v.?
*Mv I»! \i; l''Ka;\i>,
I iMMSi rtfiijjtnuahitt' ;\ou <»n yt»ar r»*jtMaiMu |i\ ila* • M ?«
jumI 1»;. I In* msiinr* \uh' uT tht* \‘irt’ l‘rf a«lfn( ; 'r;i'/«'\.rU \ 'I’l a-r
aii({ i iriulrit’lv.N, nj' iudtjuui. Ua.N lu*. ,\iatt*r, auU t.:
a;:niii‘.i >nu I'.ilili A ar^Milis^ imt ai'fsnnt, Imth i an* »uiu' r*»a uaui
iiicaiujil inns.*
I noii -iilnr Hus us n urnviHmHul iiitnr|iusiHun in .\nnr Huisr. A u , i
ui’f IV ;iM ni‘\nr nnlninil Iml h> lUfU in Hinr .mmi •** , Intlnrd, nUIn*' I !km 1
(h ui iMl a, I rnlihl nnt |i«*rsnui|n tuy a* liniirvr Hutf H?» U I* :
(li'ivn tiii'in Ititn u nif'usurn tin* lnn\ii-i)«h' r»“.uU ni uliifti n-ivlti L.ivr ami
iiy a Nrliun))M»,\ , ^ uu nia> iniUiSinn inuv aih!i»rul»l> Ha*> v*. >1.'
s -i * ^ <n
\ rshilHia.
f Ui-i r /v
HtlKalns* 'rninljnN(m, Julnaann, Sr^naatr atul K<ilihin . " \«ara .i ..I'u
wiM'u prtMiM*}) lln*\ >hnnhl havr hi'rn ur ui^t a. a.
bclIiM’. i*nnr lla>nn iiail inul hinisnlt’ «ni tiu* iia\r i*i t‘.ahi'U-i ;? i.
<*hi\ ilit* in r;n’h fUhnr’v* man*-. 'I’lin iunurr rMUthn'lnil !u
i '
iii;’.!ul\ Hu’ laltiT uilh stnia'lhiin: ni‘ \ (ulria i
thn alnp i* » ;iin«* liun; \1,
a
Sn. ( 'arn. nia* {»{ (‘nllmun's harUia Inii tin* tliiin': i * ailiniralth >M5t i j ,*.»j
\ . 1*. in sjiitn ni ,\nurM*ir auH snn will riiln »»\rr vmn* uilvi*r uit- -a i i!!.* !
ynn will ilrni; tlaaa ul’lnr .\ nu a r \i hilU , lu tin* nii»tui^!lit *4 Hu' Sraat*- Hj»'V
Imvi* tlnlin llli* diMul laU "lUnuUn wnml U ill « <«inr ‘ Ar Aa,
( 'nini* bunk as i|uink aa v nti I'un w»* ha\t‘ lu* triniujihal ai * in a . In an»irin
ItniiM', lull U(*’ll alvn \iiu as warm a imrpUun us tnnr ruin|iaU“r h.u!
Slm’tTfly yr. irhiul
t ‘ » ' * ' •, Mr».' i } .1.
I j)!;irt‘d im{diri( rmilldi^rn’i* in (hr nurw uf (hi . rtuuninun ;H i« ui
iind svlnitt‘\(‘r waiitinn^ in if In rnm|diir (hr pniuir ul (hr v. !ndr
( ra^^'lu*t itui my kutn\|t‘dn'r nf mm and think', at hnum wn ulin'mit
to supjdy. I riKi* instantly and. iit liatsf tmuporarily. rrhnusl fjum
my indisposition liy tlm Ntimulus atlmini trrrd !>y urh nrw . 1 joiuoti
Mr. W'a.-hinjLCton Iriintr; ulm (hm rr idrit Aith mr, .lud (!m >rrui;tiy
of tin* Lrpition at thr ln’rakfast tahlr. 4‘hry had rt*ad thr a lunut .
in thr jounial.s and \wrt\ of rour.-i*, imt u Uttlr di tniin-d hy th«ia.
I Ijandrd Mr. ( 'aiuhridmin:' , hdlrr to Mr, IrviukT-. rrfrrrrd tn tin- ?n
formation triven him hy tlu^ tn'Vant of tin* tntr of my hndth huf
said (hat 1 (hotijn'hl it uotdd not witlr-taadinn' nou hr mns^ irv th at
* I jt n»‘i itii \v. 'r:izf‘\v»*)i jtufi .b>hi} 'r,\ iti* vuKniri, Avnu iui tu uasai j
lluyiu’ 5 UmI Kft*}»a*'U l». of I'uinllnu: ni'nu;i' ' fts »»?* Sn ■
lirii‘1 I On»r^:<* M. nil»a nf K»»inu»lk,v, mat Ssuimi i j'toiun;'i of v«-iju>»*a
" nmluH.lu U»u%*l»'j4. ‘»r oluu ; a’umair*»uj uf « ‘u{tn« • ii* i»t : .iM iUth
of I.ouNlaiut ; Unrnflo Sf.viiuiur of VrrUHiiil, »ita AhUit UoahliiM of OIi{«k
^ ,
.1 ohJ}';i>>n
AtTTOBIOGRAPHY OF MAKTIK VAN BtJEEN.
455
I should attend the Drawing Eoom. He considered it desirable if it
was possible and would not involve a too great sacrifice of feeling.
The necessary orders were accordingly given and we proceeded to
complete the reading of a budget of letters, most of them from
friends at home and similar in sincerity and spirit to that which I
have inserted above.
On my arrival at the Palace I unexpectedly foimd Lord Palmerston
in the room set apart for the use of the Diplomatic Corps engaged in a
conversation with those who had arrived of which I was the subject.
Pie immediately took me by the hand, and, leading me into a recess,
told me, in substance, that having received on the previous evening
a despatch from Mr. Bankhead, the English Charge at Washington,
informing him of what had taken place there in respect to myself,
he at once transmitted it to the King who had sent for him at an
early hour and commanded him to see me before the commencement
of the ceremonies of the day and to communicate to me the views
he had taken of the atfair. It was, he said, far from His Majesty’s
habit or desire to meddle in any way in the proceedings of foreign
Governments in respect to matters which did not affect his own Coun-
try, nor was it his intention to do so on the x^resent occasion; but
being satisfied from the information he had received that the pro-
ceedings of the Senate had been extensively founded on political and
partisan considerations and established nothing that ought to im-
pair the respect he entertained for me, he thought it due as well to
the President as to myself that he should say so at the earliest practi-
cable moment. To this the King had been pleased to add that I had
been long enough in England to know that no class of her iDublic
men were exempted from experiencing the excesses of party spirit,
and that they thus became the more capable of understanding and
duly appreciating them when they occurred elsewhere. What His
Majesty desired was that I should feel neither disquietude nor em-
barrassment but rest entirely at ease in regard to my standing with his
Government and himself. I was of course highly gratified by these
seasonable and considerate proceedings on the part of the King and
by Lord Palmerston and thus expressed myself in terms which I
thought called for by the occasion.
The reigning Sovereign with the members! of the Eoyal Family
occupy at Levees and Drawing Eooms, a stationary position before
the throne. The company, x)receded by the Diplomatic Corps, enter
the Throne Eoom in pi’ocession and exchange salutations with the
Eoyal Cixxle in passing and go out at another door, except such as
are entitled to remain in the Presence, as it is called, and these,
consisting of the Ministers of foreign and the home Governments
and a stated few beside form in group in front. The only occasions
Aiii)
AM KKK 'A N 1 1 )KI« \\l, ASS* n '1 VVU J N .
on whit’ll any of flu‘ unpri\ ih*nt*‘t ftHnpany ft»|» lu ththf .
hcroi’t' {lu‘ lvt»yal (’irt-lr art* wlu’ii jn-r i*nta( ifU air hf nmlr f»r
otliar jirnnitttMl tlntif'- to in* porfonnotL or uhon :in\ in*ln i.
ath!t'n^-^Ml hy tin* St>vt‘r(Mn,n, in uliich lattor* «’a t* tlu' !oMU>iiif*nf
of llu‘ pi’i>i’i*ssion is arrc-hal unlil thr ronwT ation i' rlo !i\ an
ajjpropriati* how on (hr Kin;.*:V part. Hr th*tainr‘l uu* hnr* rnitunli
(o- rxpri‘ss in wvy kiinl (rnns hia rrnrrt af uhat h.nl happrOf,!
allVt’l iiijL!: nu’ and a hopr (lia( I wttuhl niuain in hhud ubl l't*r “uir
tiiiK* ariri* tin* rxpiratitm of niy mi- hat, ainl o ftnah. 'Thr 1 hik,*
Su>sr>c, .vlandinj^f .^onl(‘ tlistanrr I’naH int% huf fowrrinn in hi ln*i» n
Iran proporfimi . aho\t‘ all (In* roiupany, i‘\rlaimr«l in a htud t-nirr
What is this, Mr. \*an Ihirriu that I ha\r rratl in tin* pap?n ! I
Iu»pr it I; not hand" I \va*' (tH* fai’ fnan tiiin (tt r»'pl\ in r, Mi»!
rtnild tnily aNS'iit to tln^ authriitirit) ni' tin* in-W': hr ivi'mr^l tn h\
inotitjn’i on whirh hr athlrd "all i run ay i tliat I an^ rif\ inii
for it." Similar a.satranrr . oi’ ‘.ntoil will UfUr r\prr I Ir. thr
(Jtlrrn nltd hy otliri* niriuhriw of t hr lhj\al i*‘anaL, Isali o-tli
IVirmtly saintation-^ IVtmi varit»u,. uthn* ^.t>nrta’ mad,- tln^ nioinm'**
pas:-; morr ap,rt*rahly than 1 nouhl ha\r ant irijtatr.l.
Xoi’ wnn* {hr rxhihifioii of nrlj fiMdin!' I'oniini'd !*• th* t mu
riamirnt to uhirh 1 hatl htani anni’rthfrd, ami (o (hu i* :ifrn d f.j -f,
Storral pnit Irnirii <»t* thr oppt» itinn, \\ln>f ar^in.unf joi - I had
not. lad'orr madtn stappril fcnnvunl to hru nu* rivdtiir . >;r KmIi
rrt. lhad, uith whom ! had a . Vi’l had no iiitrii-tini {. It i * ud
fin’ mr. tin* nr.st day amh as ’oon a I rrfnriu d it, fm an an i
talion to diunt'r \vhi(’h I arrrptrd, ddn* Ivarl of \\ r ,t imn rland, ^nr
(d Ids politiral fririitls, did thr .samr and {nfoinaal m*', flu*/ In,
son^ tliat Sir Ijohrrt wonhl mrt‘{ mr at hi - Imn ;r if I r»*nhl arr* pf
his invitation, and that hi* \\oidd lir jdtsi «ni to pir ml nn- f.* i,th.a*
P'ntlrmrn witlr whom la* ihotniht it uoidd hr apim-ahlr to na* fo
Inu’Diur uctpmintrd hrfon* I Irft Mnrdaml; hut my rnp.irmimf for
thr short, pi'riod I inlrndrtl to nanain put it out of jn*. pt»v.f‘i to
avail mysrif of thr KuiT. frimdly aUrntiMn-,.
Not. roiitmit with his pnn'ious a* t uf kimlin*^' Ihr Klm,^ at mv
aniiirnrr of ira\r, rxprr ctl a ttrojrr that I utndd p:i\ a vr u t-,
thr rood tvhirim and him- rtf at W'ind t»r (‘a tli* ind'or*' mv d»-pu!nrr
from thr ('oimtrv. d'hr srvrrr illnr ,td' a nrar rrlatm* .if thr t/ur.-n,
llirn on a visit to till* (’uiirf. |iut it out nf hi . jiuv^fr to ii-.i.n.- oi.-
at tliat uiouii.til, hut if luT hvallh honhl imiirm.- in .• i . n I, cl
Paliui'i'slou. he .saiil, wniihl ajiiiriM. nu- of iho fa.i ami o! ilit- f.m-'
whi'ii uiy visil would la* aci’clit at>h‘, '11(1% wa ilom- and 1 ■ih-uI two
days al tlu* (’aslli* upon us luisy and faniUiar a footiujr v. uli if ■ in
males as could have heen (he eie e in any private f.uudv. Lord
• MS. IV, i,. i:.:..
AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF MARTIN VAN BUREN. 457
Palmerston was requested to attend the King during my stay and
dined with us both days, remaining over the night of the first, and
the King had also the goodness to direct the attendance of my friend,
for such he truly was. Sir Charles Vaughan, who, by his command,
continued during my visit at the Castle and returned with me to
the city. His Majesty also took the keys and shewed me many of
the most interesting parts of that venerable and noble pile. The
Queen went with us to Virginia water, and on the morning of our
departure, the King on foot and the Queen in her carriage, took
us to the cottage on the slope — a building planned by themselves
and finished throughout according to the Queen’s taste, and they
directed my attention to its simplicity in comparison with what the
King called the magnificent structures of “his luxurious brother,
George IV.” It was on this occasion that he made to me the com-
munication, before referred to, concerning the impressions which
had at one time generally prevailed about Gen. Jackson, and his own
course in respect to them. To this spot my carriage had been sent
and there we took leave of our royal host and hostess after a few
words from the King expressing, for himself and for the Queen,
the best wishes for my safe return to my native Country and for
my future welfare. In my carriage I found four handsome colored
engravings representing the Castle, the different points from which
the views had been taken being noted in pencil, in the Queen’s
handwriting, at the foot of each, and on one of them the window
of the room I had occupied being marked, a circumstance to which
she had directed my attention while at the Cottage. After the
King’s death she sent me, thro’ Lady Wellesley, a sketch of his life
with a full account of its closing scenes.
I was told by some of my diplomatic brethren after my return
that an invitation to the Castle, as a visitor, was a mark of respect
which had before been confined to members of the rank of Am-
bassador and the representative from Hanover, and that they thought
mine the first case of departure from that rule. How this was I
know not; — ^I allude more particularly to these matters than I
might otherwise have done, not only because they were, under the
existing circumstances, peculiarly grateful in themselves but also
as marking the signal failure of the designs of my enemies so far
as they were aimed at my personal humiliation at the Court to
Avhich I had been sent.
On the day the news of the rejection of my nomination appeared
in the journals Prince Talleyrand sent me an invitation to meet
a few friends at his home in the evening. I found a small and
select party, and among them Lord Auckland, then a member of
the Cabinet and subsequently Governor General of India. He ex-
tended his hand to me very cordially and congratulated me upon
■ iaS ww.nirw uisrt utii’Ai. Assmi.vnow
(lu‘ t rriit lUfiit I liatl tl'uin tin* Si*uatr. I rianarki^l that
uUlu>' luVM'ir iiii’litUMl 1(1 rr^^anl tlu* atVair in tla* lu^ht \u' ?r,l
I (•(iiihl liartllv ha\i‘ t*\]n‘rti‘il sisrh a tn 1m* tak«'n it \n a
s(raui»a*r aial at rt» a iti talar Ifnia thr l!u*atrr »»! arn^ai, to
'wiiirh hi* rrpliod. promptly \ r , yr , I tala* tlir ri^hf t. a* a m!
it! In till my rxprriinirr I ha\r :-rhi<»m kntjwn l!tr nuvfa ot a
youii^ titan in ymit’ pti.’^.itiuu rmunrd uith niarkrd urj’o u.hii had
iHit luani luaika in thr nuuM* nj if, thr* nhjrrt ut o]a«' us’h
niilru^c* !"
Aj^j'u/h)s (if lumtinu ol Ih’inrt* lallryranci, a i iri'iunvtaut'*'
oraairriHl in niir intri'iatur r Auit’h ptnitap . uia\ auiirM^ ui% j.-.idrr
as inu«’h a . it anin r»l nii* and v/iurh may hr nt»t udlinut ‘ntn* n n
in rstimalln*’; tlu’ rtiaraiirr id’ that n k hraird Uian. ^
I thnULdit. a di pii ilinii tu trra; tor Adti mat k»- i liHiiim- I . : Ui*d
hi;- hull r as td’trn a thr hahlt nl‘ rnart^^ in rslatsai t.i p« j . .n m
hi.‘ po^ it inn wniild and wa ah.**a;. s m-svid -mih t.a.ndn;*
hy hiiiisrir and hi ayra'raidt* nir**r tltr I Jiisht* dr I)njtM. li! f»tu
\rrsatinn \va , I m-rd hardh say, an unl'ailiny taiirr h:r^- aati
hiaitiiMU mih ipialilird hv dir nrrr ir\ Ur Wrtr inrha •*?
his nirrt* with tlu* utliri* «d’ intrrpr»‘trr as. In* did ir*? p^ iL 1' njd li,
imr I h’rrtirh. I wn n nntrh trink hy ihr rvf i a* ndinai v ‘'usuni
stalin' that tt diplmuati t n distinaui hrd and -<*14 tamK in * ia n
.should not ha\t* arijuirrd {hr lanruaa'r of a i'Mnnfi;. uah v. huh
hi * own was in iu\ta pn itinn and u hrl r u Jaurh * a' hs t Hii had
hl'l'Il SplUlt a < to r\prr . fUV Urpia a* fn l*oi d Paha» » i^iu -Ur! fo
ask hitn u hrthrr (hi jiOlMrunrr v. a laU m ‘Uir* d*'plrr a aunni,
and I vriitnrrd at ihr ana* tina* to makr ojur nrimii.' i to fhr
rxtrid to uhii’h tin* lhanrr\ mmd had hrrn athsSrd h^ hi yiral
a<^r. dd my iir.* t ijui* timi land Ihilmri ton au v-m-d fhn ai ail
his intrrrmii’.M* with liini {hr\ in\aiaahly pnkt' in hdria h, and that
thry did so on ihr a siunptmn that it uas inadr ur» * am h. fh*-
Prinr(*\s i^noi’anri* id* thr Isnidi h lan^mips Hr add. d th.n llr-
idru sn^^rsfrd hy un* had m»t tn frr«turiit Ijt nmuird n* huo r||.
tind hr (huU‘dii it tpiitr likrU that thr nid diplomat i t, in i.s|nnaj.,^
(hr t'Xrhl doll nj’ (hr lattm’ tnrdsHm of romiuuiin at iMii ti.no j s^-n
tl i.>rn %sinn. , haduah ill a d*a:rrr at Irn -I fti fhr adlanfjii»n* ,
rdly ruusidrrahha tu iir tlrrivi*d from ha^ hi laH^n - ‘Hi
durti'd ill In. uuii tun^nt*. (hi thr othrr |»nnt iir ui dr.^d-^dii
of opinion that, tho' ahrad\ an orti luruariati, d'a)lr\r.nrr ?u*'m a!
furullira had not \rl sutlrrrd tin* Uolilrst dr{«a i« n at ioti Hi
saptrity. puirlair . . of appirhrnsiou ami tlir pipnam \ o| !i; a, j
M*rmrd aathrr to iiirrra- r with tiis yrar and wrua hr* aid. »-on
stantl}* and s(rikiii‘rly di pht><H! in tlu* Xatanml t onfm-riur- m
wliich they wrrt* ilirn rnpip*d.
ATJTOBIOGl^APHY OB VAN BUREN.
459
I was present at a debate in the House of Lords when the Marquis
of Londonderry made a violent attack upon Talleyrand. He had
no sooner taken his seat than the Duke of Wellington rose and, with
animation and fluency quite unusual with him, said that the ob-
servations of the Marquis, on account of the friendly relations ex-
isting between them and the general accord in their political
opinions, made it necessary that he should without delay disayow
the slightest participation in the sentiments which had fallen from
his friend. He had, the Duke said, been associated with the dis-
tinguished man, who had been so harshly spoken of, in transactions
of the gravest character, involving the temporal ° interests of man-
kind to as great an extent as any that had ever been acted upon and
ho felt no hesitation in saying that he had never been called to act, in
the management of public affairs, with a man who had discharged
the duties imposed upon him with a more liberal or faithful spirit.
He had found him indeed assiduous in his efforts to obtain what he
conceived to be due to his own Country but never wanting in respect
for the rights and interests of other Nations. Satisfied that his
fi’iend luid unwittingly done great injustice to the eminent stranger
then discharging highly responsible public duties in England, he
felt it to be his duty to correct the mistake into which his noble
friend had unhappily fallen, as far as his own experience and capac-
ity to estimate the characters of public men enabled him to do so.
Entertaining a strong confidence in the integrity and candour of
th(^ Duke this declaration, made with a warmth and earnestness by
which his hearers Avere greatly excited, went far to I’emove from mj
own mind unfavorable impressions in regard to Prince Talleyrand’s
sincerity and good faith in which I had participated in common
with a large portion of the world. I will here, also, take occasion
to mention that this improved view was greatly strengthened by a
conversation had long after, at my own house, with Marshal Bert-
rand, who had been Napoleon’s close companion and friend, both
at Elba and St. Helena, remaining with him till his death and en-
joying his fullest confidence to the last. That upright and every
way worthy .man, notwithstanding the strong distrust in regard to
Talleyrand which Napoleon carried to his grave and recorded in
liis will, entertained opinions favorable to the honesty and sin-
cerity of the former similar to those avowed by the Duke of Well-
ington, and expressed them frankly nncl freely.
But I am perhaps wandering too far from my promised anecdote
— which hoAvever is a short one. Having received from the Avorthy
captain of the President” tAvo saddles of American venison, as I
was about leaving England, I sent one to the Duke of Sussex and
MS. IV, p. IGO.
to leave in the morning and was therefore obliged to decline but
promised to call upon the Duchess de Dino and himself for leave-
taking in the evening, which I did, but without again having the
pleasure of hearing him talk English.
A j^ear’s residence in a Country, however great the facilities en-
joyed to that end, is, at least, an inadequate period for the formation
of entirely reliable opinions of its public men. It is therefore not
without real diffidence and much hesitation that I say even the little
that I do say about those who came more particularly under my
observation. But as the opinions I formed, however hasty, were
quite unprejudiced deductions from what I saw and heard I ven-
ture on the expression of them, trusting that they will be indulgently
suffered to pass for what they are worth.
Lord Grey, whose character as a Statesman has been the subject
of much observation, was at the time Prime Minister. I saw him
under circumstances better calculated perhaps to exhibit his true
character and to give the measure of his capacities than any that
had occurred in his previous career. I allude to his conduct of the
Eeform Question, and his leadership in the debate upon the Eeforin
Bill in the House of Lords. I chanced to be present wdien he made
his celebrated appeal to the Bench of Bishops and denounced with
much eloquence and unsparing severity sentiments which he charged
to have been uttered by the partisan Bishop of Exeter. In his open-
ing speech the Earl entreated the Eight Eeverend Prelates to con-
sider what their condition would be before the Country if a measure
on which the Nation had fixed its hope should be rejected by but a
slim majority of the lay Peers and its fate be consequently decided
by the Azotes of the heads of the Church. Those Eight Eeverend
Prelates had, he said, shown that they were not indifferent or inat-
tentive to the signs of the times by their introduction of measures
for effecting some salutary reforms in matters relating to the tem-
poralities of the Church. In this they had acted with a wise fore-
thought and evinced their consciousness of the fact that the eyes of
the Country Avere upon them, as well as a proper sense of the neces-
sity of setting their house in order and preparing to meet the coming
stoi’m. He implored them to follow on the present occasion the same
AUTOBIOGKAPHY OF MAKTIN VAN BUREN.
461
prudent course. This earnest and polished invocation was made to
include a scarcely concealed menace of the gravest character by Avhich
the Prelates were profoundly moved. It had, as was alleged, drawn
from one of them, the fiery Bishop of Exeter, a declaration — whether
on that floor or in a pastoral letter or in some other public form I
do not now remember — that the course pursued by his Majesty’s Gov-
ermnent in their support of the Eeform measure was of a character
well fitted to expose the stability of the Crown to danger. This im-
puted avowal was brought to the notice of the Lords by Earl Grey,
during an excited stage of the debate, — I believe on the night before
the final division on the Bill in the House of Lords. He denounced
it vehemently and in scorching terms as eminently disloyal in its ten-
dency, inconsistent with the allegiance due to the Throne from the
Et. Eev. Prelate, as amounting, substantially to an invitation to
insurrection, as a kind of moral treason and exhibited with elo-
quence and power the shocking impropriety of such a sentiment from
one of the heads of the Church. The Bishop’s bench was, at that
time, directly behind that of the Ministers. Lord Grey soon turned
round, thus facing the former and standing within a few feet of
them, with the Marquis of Lansdowne on one side of him and the
Duke of Eichmond on the other, both members of the Cabinet and
both doing what they could to increase the excitement, by cries of
hear ! hear ! which were re-echoed by the supporters of the Govern-
ment and retorted by the opposition. The aroused Bishop had risen
from his seat and without symptom of flinching gave back to the Earl
the fiercest glances of resentment and defiance.
This scene occurred at a late hour of the night — or rather an
early hour of the morning — ^whilst I stood on the steps of the
Throne, near the bench of the Bishops, the place assigned to the
foreign ministers, and a more exciting one I have never witnessed.
Earl Grey was a man of noble stature and digiiified address.
My colleague in the United States Senate, Mr. Eufus King, had
previously described him to me as being, upon the whole, the most
imposing and impressive speaker he had heard in England. Such
was also the conclusion at which I arrived and altho’ to my mind
his ideal of ^|n ultimate and superior obligation to his “ order ” —
however chivalrous and unselfish the sentiment in him, the occasion
of its utterance considered, — compromised the strict integrity of
his whig principles, he was, without doubt, always and under all
circumstances a patriot and an honest man.
The Duke of Wellington was not in power during my residence
in England, and my intercourse with him was limited to a formal
introduction and interchange of personal civilities when we hap-
pened to meet. He was nevertheless to me, of course, a subject of
462
AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION.
mucli interest and observation. His unqualified stand against the
Reform Bill, with the best reasons to believe that its passage or
rhat of something very much like it was desired by a large majority
of the Nation, and the firmness and fortitude with which he sus-
tained the popular rebuke were of themselves, aside from his dis-
tinguished military carreer sufficient to attract to him the attention
of foreigners. That he was sincere in his opinion that neither the
welfare of his Country nor the happiness of its inhabitants would
be promoted by that measure no intelligent and unprejudiced ob-
server of his character and conduct could doubt. Yet in setting up
and adhering to that opinion against the will of the Nation, con-
stitutionally expressed, he made himself for a season exceedingly
odious to the masses.
° The usual demonstrations of popular discontent in England, such
as breaking his window, pelting his carriage with mud, and so forth,
were directed against him without stint but without shaking his
nerves or producing the least effect upon his spirit or resolution to
maintain the position he had assumed. It was not nntil his judg-
ment was satisfied that farther attempts to resist the popular will
thro’ the power of the Crown must endanger the peace of the Coun-
try, if not the stability of the Throne, that he declined the honors
tendered to him by the King and, retiring from the field, advised
his Sovereign to give the reins of Government into the hands of his
opponents.
I returned to England at that critical moment, and just before the
Duke abandoned his attempt to construct a new administration upon
the principles he espoused.
The decision of a majority of the House of Commons is the only
constitutional expression of the opinion and wishes of the people of
England. That expression is not binding either upon the Crown or
upon the House of Lords except so far as is provided by the Consti-
tution ■which concedes to each of them rights and powers placed
above the control of the Commons. But its opinion is nevertheless
the recognised constitutional exposition of the popular will, and that
branch of the Government, representing the numerical and physical
strength of the Nation, had unequivocally pronounced in favor of a
material change in the representation of the people in the House of
Commons. The Duke, acting as the First Minister of the Crown,
had on a former occasion declared, in substance, that there should
be no such reform and it was now proposed by the King to restore
him to the power of which he had been divested through the exercise
of the popular will with the avowed intention of counteracting and,
defeating .that will thro’ the instrumentality of the powers vested
“ MS. IV, p, 165.
ArTdlUntlilAlMn (H* AtAIlTlN VAN Bl’KKX.
in (h(‘ otluM' two hrauflu‘s of \Uv t Jo\iMauurnt. Tlu' thus pn*
s('ntv(l to tlu' panpli' of Mn^huul w;n- u irravn nnt* hrinii: iiuthinu h*ss
than om* of nhsolutn stihiui-sitm tn tin* ili**.pntic t‘{jntrt>l n\' thoM* \\v
paiininnls of tin* ( i(yvnrnnn*n( in tlio ohoin* of uhii*Ii thov had no
\'()(p or a rt‘sor( t«j tin* t'\tn‘ini‘ rinurdw in wliirh tho ovi .lim* y tian
found its oriii’in, hiri-ihla n*--i.--(an<*ta I hud already immi imiioIi to
r{‘sp{‘cl in thn charartt'r n\' dial pnoplo hnt nothiiii!: mv impn* ivr as
thi‘ii* not)h‘ luairin^ at this ftairful rrisis. Un ort'a i(»n- af ordinary
(‘Xriirnu'ni, whan dan^'ars to thair lihartin' ware* siaai at a t!i lanaa,
public* niaatintts, violaut- rasoltition-, alantorand ritBin*^ uaro tta* «Mun
nton ahanm*ls thro' whiah popular di*-i’ont(Uit ►Inou’d it idf t<» nuui
in j)owar; but now that tha iioai^-vity for imniadiata nrn! idTat'tivo
action was iminimuU indord, at lunul none td’ the a t‘\lubit ituis of
an otnunhal piiblie tMiliineni wen* (ti hr -.ran or htaird. I'be (raids
\Vi*rt‘ cjuiat and, to an iinu -ual e\ten(, idiaietoned. Siienea pri»\ailed
in tin* aoilae roiiui.. and in all plae<- nf puhlii- re urt. 'Hip pn‘ . pokt*
in nasauiracl tei’m the I hart* of I,oid . lat<d\ Ibr i.hjeei of \iii|rnt
di'iiiineiat iulK \\a not i.pokeii of at all, and alino t (hr onl\ opru di .
play of thi* I'oiMiition of the ptihlie mind ua. fie* noiirr, piaearded
on nunau’iai:: re ptn’t able* hou e ,‘'m3ta\e paid la-ir " \«n e-add au\
piiblie ileinon-{ rat ion - lm\ <* bi-eii eipiull\ lyudleaut or o «d!Vei ually
i’onvineed anti reformer , of tin* natur<* of (he fua i . \Hdeh had at.
hmt bi'cn rearhiHl. 'rin* Unke aw it us elearly a :iu\ tuie and nu*t it
lik<‘ an luMns-t man. Hy hi- i'\pre ath lee fo t be K imy I /«»rtl ( trey and
hi" ('abimd \vert‘ reeulhnl ami die danm**' pa ed nua w
As a pulilie Njaaikm* the Ihike of Welliu'd^’d po . t' rd fru a!
traetioiK to taisUal or inatlentivi* liearer . I!i tamyna*.n‘ plain,
iwen i’oinmnn plut’i*, bis jL^edurirs avdi^vanl and lus tielnmy liiuned
by painful n*peiitions. Vet ln' liad «>ratoriral t)Ua!dieal tom. of n
liiyh value by nanuisid* whieh be stddom failed to make bis peerbes,
nn ^i‘eat oeeasi(»ns, remarkably elleetne. f were a ebsir tieinl,
a ‘ouml tliserlminat in^ miml am! a lo\e tif truth, of the aneeidy
of whieh m» in/4nnuou> amlit{»r eouhl remain un .all tied. Nn iiiati
that I evi*r beard seemed to me luoii* i’rupidoud\ atttmti^r to the
whoh'sona* adUee given to orator-, never to n r r\* rpi the*, had
something to say ami to rt^amH’ their : eat - when tle-v bad aid d.
I lisItuHsl ahvavv, widi intm'i^ t and t*ldi>m uitbuot podit t<* hi iip
oarendy eiudll ed :,pr<*elH‘ . 'They ('ftnlamtsl rteai' and -Ifi >'h eon
den ed ; tatement . t»f faet firtpicnth im ludoir MUir fbat wt-n*
vtu’y material but liad. bren i»U‘rlotd,rd iiv prevent pealou . and
fresh aiul original \ lew , tjf the ubit ef udb utidniomd umutemf .
in lavetr of ; n<’b a liad bemi alreadv uigrd ; dip u boh* bfing pit*
smiti’d brietly am! uitli an ob\i»»n.K etputable auo ai«d Irfl to mah»^
Its way to thr : en e ami rea on uidu»u( an effort to e.nb t the imag
41)4
AAlKlUt'AX II I> ‘lATIt^N.
£ •
f :
iiKilinii or iho pn».inn.»^ of hi^ :nnUour»\ Ih* \\:in riUL^rijUrut ly lu‘;inl
hv (hosi' who wiM‘(’ in pur nit nf (ho riuht aiul truth “t t!i»* ra v uith
miu'h attiuilion, ami his ^ptnH•h^‘s, haoktal !k hi- ut*ll umlor unnil
intffrritv aiul tnithfulnt-s, mauTally t<»hl upiui llio ik-ri imi uiih
murh fonas 41u‘iv won‘ many [lonit:- in whi«*h lit* ami t h*u. Jat‘k t»n
rostunhhal (‘a<*h ttihor. In imn-al ami phy.’.irni oourayo, in imhiFi-r
t‘m’(* to porsoual otur-tHiiunioo, . ami in |u'tuuptm* > ui at*tujn tUrri*
was li(tli‘ if aiiv tliilonmoo in (hoir rharaofor-. 4 ho Hukr ua . !n*{fi‘r
inluratiHl amt Inul rota*ivoi! ihi* im'^trmiitm tif oN}M*ru*m’'i‘ uptai a
lartjror staih*, hut th»‘ (h-uoral in nati\o uitolloot hath I think, hotni
morn I'inhly omlowtal.
''I'hr 1 ‘lh‘tMs of Sir Ihihori tiratiU'V as it appoan-il to
UHS iiiuoh \M‘aki*ut*tl hy tin* foriual ami sona*\\h.it t* tmitafimj man
nor in whioli ht* tlirt‘U liiiu t*lf into CIm* tlohati* a » rr!aiu omoihuu^
(hut :(‘i‘nHnl to y,\y !a*rt* am II ^ ot I uo\t‘r au aii^thuun fitluT
in iiis familiar iiitt*ro<iur. o with iho uiomhia > of tin* Ihai r, or m In *
nianmu's or rtunorsut it»n t»ni cjf u, tn I ho nk-a fh.tt la*
v.irn iaipahl(‘ of imlulpin;* in any tit*h a . umptioii or tliut hrs
tmtortaiunl a \a.in rourmt t^f hr-, toui r.ip.n'itn-, nr -n'pMi f .ua t*. It i.
far imuH* likrl\ tliat l mi -Jml;s*«l a. t«» tin* hahit 1 prak uU altho’
i wasstruok hy tin* apprai uitr t»! il ami oit^ai rrhar.'^l tu it at tlu'
(iim\ Sir Ihihta*! imprf nl ht « Mi!tta;ij»orai ir , Viitli a htr*li Mpnuou
of his aloruf ion uml hr i5‘unr»l ui an arr of pir-it lurn, l>«u4 Marau
lay, a rom])i‘trnt jnhp*, altlnh rrrt:unl\ onu'tunr o\fiawipant if not
ran‘lt‘SN iti hi^ ronrlu ion tank - him atiioi^r tia* ,u. . ot , (jf Ihlf,
( In* just nr^ • of w ho i* n-ptit at loii a an oral or Jm iMni*' »*ra r»| to hr an
opru t|ni‘.^^ ion, ami Ihi- rla iiiration ha* not lirm »ir riitnl fiom, imr
us fai* Us I knov., rrrri\rtl vwnli tilslru l. If maV <.*• irr u4r4 llirlr
ffiru as ha\ ino inrt uilh ^rnnal approhaf lofo \r\ ri ihri*’ , uifh a
\rry l^ootl opinlm (jf Sir Kohrl t Ik-rh . raisirifir a a pnhhr -pralvrr,
I am t . ay that lu* at no timr app«*ari‘4 to lur r«|iiah a - a liilfnl »h*
hatrr, to what lanal l)i‘rhy ^a uhm 1 km*'^^ huu a , horh >laulr\,
ar rompiinihlts ik an orator, to Uaiurl \\k4v4rr: itrUfirr in m\ jmlip
nnmt, dih hi^ ^rrratr t ..trrnrth lir in that du'rrnon. IU% rairrr
(!ist'lo^4*tl i'ommrnduhlr trail . of rharm t**r ami hr n»s‘rr«ird in ihr
arromprnhmrnt of impoiiuni ohjr. tN, hut h'^ mraii ausotiu ^^hu’li
his sprrrhrs, tho* thrV wrrr, urrr uo| ihi* nr* t ♦‘tlf* ! i r. 1 Itr
son of a {’{itton • [umii*r hr attainrd, umtrr thr adi^ri ,• miln»*nrr . of
moinirrhicail and uristorratirnl in t itutnui' u pcovri in thr (hnrrn
mnn and a sorial po itton \r*r\ rar«‘ly ratrpa i*d, undf*r -anular i*ir
rtimnauri's^ ami not oftrn t*tjual!r<l, Ih* hoiv a pood fiUlmr* of n
nmrktsl a (’harartrr u man tjf -^rn^r and in a mannrr to whirh
I Indirvr no rxrrjition has rvrr hrm mad** in any quurtrr, ami to
whirh I am ronlidrut noim andtl Ih* luadr with truth. I'lu , a, thr
ArTOlUiUlUAIMl V OF MAUTIN VAN' IUTUMN.
405
world n-oos, is a vt*rv nuTil, wrll (’uKuilalod to sidvanco a iniin
in i(s (vsl iiua( ion. Hnt it was not l>y far his st-ronjLiVsI. claiin ui)on tho.
n‘sp(‘t‘t of his I’ounI rynuni. lit* was tlu' favorite, I may say llu*. pt*!.
of llu‘ landed aristo(*raey of iMi^land : fi*w f(»minoiU'rs e\'t'r stood
hi< 4 ’her in its favor or were more earessed by Us ehiefs. These he
soixdy (dlVnded by (in* (‘lllritml sn[>p<n’( he oav(‘ (.o Calholit* emaiu‘i[)a-
lion, and, with pm-haM knowhalfjfe of (lie tamsetiuenei's lie e.u(. him-
s(df oil’ fort'vt'r from (heir eoidiilenee and favor by ext*riin^ an aelivt'
ami powmd’ul inlhumet* in ludialf of free trade, d'hert^ hav<‘, been in
our time few greater movements than these movements in wlueh
sue(‘t‘.ss i*t‘tjnii-t*d llu* th*raeinat ion of eommi'reial habits anil ideas
(lull had been iiieru^ied by ages, and the eonfrontal of oviM’grown
and higoltul prejudiees wlueh Inul long been intrenelied in power.
This siieeess, i( was well known, eouhl not- he. ai’hieved without- ex-
posure to (he severest pimahiis and Sir Uoliei^t readily imimnnliMvd
the danger ami cmdunnl tin* penalt ii's,'‘ eontrihuting largtdy, [lerlnips
(he largest, to (he \ietory. 'I'lio-e movements wen* de.-*^ign(‘d only
to subserve (he liappiniv-s and welfare of tlu' massi‘s, and he di'si'rves
(o la* ri'gardiMl as having stidcial his polilieal fortmu*.-. upon (heir
snei'ess heeaUM' he plaec‘d a higher value upon (hi* in(4*resls <d’
humanity and (he (hanks of posterity (ban upon the plaudits and
earesM's of the great and iiovverfid among the living. -
My ni*tjuaintanee has hei*n moiv intimate and my ollii'inl iniei’-
eoiii'M* mori* i*x(en ivi* and varieil with \*is(*ount Palmerston than
with any other of the puhlie men of iMigland. lie hei*ame Minister
of l*'nn‘ign Affairs nutli*r the Melbourne Administration vvliilsl. I
hi*!d the <»jlli’e of Sei‘r(*tary of Slate, ehargi'd with eoi’responding
duties under (hat of President flaeksoiu lit* (K’<’upit*<l tin* same post,
during my reNideiu’e tin* represent at ive of my (’ouulry in Png
land and until the. end of my otlii’inl term as President of the Uuitcal
Slates.
During lluif tinu*, emhrui’ing a p(*riod of about e!(*v'(‘n yiairs, thiu’e
did not. arise a >^ingl(* important qiieslion helvvetm our r(’Spt*e( i ve,
( iovernuH'iits with (he supi'rintendenei* of whieh ht* was not I’harged
or in whieh 1 did not (tdci* a dir(*et. part, or ovavr (Im disposition of
whieh 1 did iio(. i‘Xerl a material intln(*ne(* t*itlu*r as Seerelnry of
State^ Minister to 1‘higlnmh as the <M>nlid<‘nt-ial <‘onns(*llor of Presi^
d(*nt tlai'kson, alwav'. eonsnlted on sueh oei’asions, or as Ih'esident,
(*liie(ly responsible for the manner in whieh the dut-ii's of tin*, (}oV”
mauiient in respeej (n (hem were disc’harged. Among (hose ijiU'S'
l,i(>ns wei-ethal of (lie .\orth Pastern Hmmdary lietvveen us and (ireat.
Pritain, in the worst and most menneing a.speets which (hat suhj{*et
ev{*r assumed, and that prc'sented by the* mutually disturbing and
MS tv, ji. 17(J.
uiTtsa \ni.e ijo :5n
A M KIU( ‘A N 1 1 IS’H \l\U *AI * ASS» it 1 XVU i N ,
4 ()()
irritnl iii^' otNMirn'iH’t's ^rowini;; out t>f llu* (‘lUiudian IvrlH^llitjn ;in«l
flu' ininiitlioriztMl pari ifipniioii ttf our riii/.rus iti it . ]U’n oiaitiou, in
cliulin^ tlir airair of tlu‘ t'arolinr ;uul tlu^ rasr til' MrliftM!.*
I haw semu with I’t'irn'l, that au unprr^sinu ha , tu tuui‘ rstrut
at UmusI, sorurrd a loilaiurih in tin* puhlir uitml laut* tltat Kurd
Paliurrston has iiuhilanl pn\judirt's aipiiiia (hi (’nuuti'v whii-h havr
nmdr him h‘ss tlispt)s(ni than otlu'r British r4atf uu*u tn do u ju'
tier, I IVol hoiuul to .say that witli thd t)pptirtuiutiu,s I Imvr !i;ul,
jHU'hn])s as ftdi as thost‘ of any oth(*r pi*r-.t)u, I hau» tsni nothmu’
to justify tliis uotitju hut murli to tiisprovo its rorna'int^s.. In tha
rours(M>f the* uxedt iui»’ uiu! ti'uly imporfaaf disru- iim io whish
hav(‘ hcaui iuvohtsl I urv(*r had nrr:o ion to .sUsptsi him td' prtdV .
oj)inituis hr tlitl not sinrrridy hrlirvr to ho v^oll fonndrd, a*: u
sauidion to ‘xroiindlrss protriu’r-. tn- a-, a tunau* to w \ taiu o of rlaim-,
tlu‘ justirc' of whirli lit* ooulil not lionr-tly routiou-rt au aiidirr
uuhu]>pily tiH) rtuumou in tliplomai‘\ hut to flu tlay I ndam a
^rat ify tujt^ Hud uhtiliui^ rrr(dltM*{ i<in td' t la* riut t ant o{% m iuu ! fiamd
(o mhuirr tlu* raiuhiur and intt*»nuty of hi roudu«’t .liul of tho famli
tirs for (lu» pnrrornmui’o of oilioial dulio \Uuoh wior atlordrd hv
his ixrnial and t‘onrihatory tli ‘pout ion Uiu ino my ri-rrut \ t it to
Kn^iamt, tAvrnty flvr yrur. la!t‘r than thr pniod of uUisU I am
writiiifr, f saw luurhof liim and uus plra ni to find him at flir brad of
(hr (iovernmrut. I <lisru -ual puhla* uflair uif h hiuo uadudim*: t ho -i*
of our own ( ountrit*^ with tla* amo frooduoi uha h rhar o trn/rd
<mr formrr iutt'ruoursr ami pritauvod nr> tdmno-r in his di po ifiouN
or appai'tmtly in his mjaioitio. otht*r than .urh a mu t fnllov. thr
uimvoidnhh* hut, in Ids <'hmu |,u*nth^ fonrU f»f tinu*.
Lord Balnuu’ston <*uu r-rarsfdy \h* rrftardod as au oraftu' of thr
(ir,s{ idass in tlm hin'hr I lait ri*stri»’tad ou of lUt^ form. Altlad
pri'punal hy thr -tmly uiul stmvd with ihr uMont of Uuoul
calp* dmmnl imlispou uildr to thr rou ditutitm of -in .os-ompli lust
statpsmam his parliamimtarv Ufa lur. nut horn di tuuon lu-d hy
idahorutr Hpwrhr . indhsiliui^^ r\trnd\o nsaairrlt or pi ofninol ua-di
tatmn. Vnt tlwro un\ rmlntnlys or Imw hi-^m fr^v of hi roiUmnpo
rurir.s wlio.sr {‘artnu's a-^ haniris «jf fh«* Moir r, fnuu timr to tnuo, on
ihu sidn nithar of tha tfo\f*mmmit or of ih»‘ op|»o nieoi, havr Ihsui
inorr sm*rt‘Ssftil than his. For flu* mromph Imamt of a iv.,adf
/rratafid to puhlir num hi* han mlM into mi ion pouors of thr mmd
luon* huinhh* in prrtiuoion ami dav./liin^ in uppi*arun»‘t* hut, as
r\pti‘irnro ha- ofton provrd, fur morr idfniivr in tin* mid firm flu*
most hrilHant oratory wlum not -tr.falimd hy thnn, 1lir h.ui*
ron.sidcnl of unfailiiin- judji^mim! in priv mo hr uhm ur*' . opon fh»‘
8 A!«-t,iiUii{»-r M* iU»a f|j*' l«uO«ini^ tU 0««
Alii* t i« all u.itfOi.
lu
ArTOBKHniAPH V OK MAUTIN” VAN nURKN.
467
House al the proper (iiue, wlieu its members were in (be best mood
to rejrard them Favorably and the. auspiees in other r(‘s])e(‘ts Favor-
nbh' to sueeess; of (he keen snp:aei(.y with whi(*h he has l)een maais-
iouumI (o find the weakest point in the position of his adversary and
{hv promptitude and persevenuiee witli whieh he has applietl all
th<' means within his eommand to overthrow liim at that point,
without in mere, oratorical or comparativtdy I'xtraiu'ous
dt‘.batt‘, whi*n‘by time and opp«)rtunity mi^lit be atVorded to his
o])poiumt to reeovc'r from mistakes or to tak<‘ a new position; of
so arran^in/j: not (udy the form of the speeUic (|ut'stions thro’’ whieli
the sense of the House Uj)on the whole subject is t^) Ih'. (‘olleeted
ami its disposition controlled, but the order in whieh th(\y are to
b(» pr<»posi»d, as to fon’e to the surface and to i-urn to his advanta^j:e
biltmt div(U*sities of feelin/x and opinion on points <*itlu‘r not. ah all
or only renudtdy bearing; ut)on ilu^ prin{‘i|)al subject, and of Ihat
habitual control by wliic’h he has saveal himseJf fi'oni bein^i: k*d into
attempts to attain objects which wt're iudt‘ed beyond his reiudi, ■
a fatdt into wluc‘h indisennM |)oliti<‘ians, liow<n'(M’ sinceiu*, an', apt
to fall in the ardor of sUei’ess. Lord Palnu'rstotrs (airecu* is a strike
iiijDi: illustration of (lu^ udvantap:es that, may be ri'asouably ('xpeeled
from the obsi'rvanee of these and otlu'r ruh's, whi(’h mijL!:hi. bt‘ iv-
f(U-red to, of [larliamentary jxovtuamumt, taught by tlu^ sc'bool of
whieh he was an early <liseiple and has Ium’ohu' so dist tu<i,‘uislH‘(l a,
mast(‘r, and in <’onmM‘(ion with his moral his ah'rim*ss ami
his nuuurkable industry they diselost* (lu‘. seerel of his ‘^nad.
prospt'rily,
A line opportunity was pmsented for (he display of his prolieieney
in that scIuh)! on tla*^ <HaaiHion of the atlaeks madt', in tlu' sumnicu’ of
upoti tlu^ Administration of whieh he was the (/liief, on ao
eount of tlu' eourse it had pursued in n*sp(*H. (o (bt' l)r(*akin”* (tp of
tlu' {'on^ressof X'itmnu and its all(‘ii:(al spii’ii and poTny in ridalion
t.o the prosi*eution of the war with Russia* 'I'he (n*i]ii:inal tiotba*. of
a motion whi(*h w<aild hrin/^; tlu' std)jt'<*t before Harliniuimt. was
ixivcm by Mr. Milner Hibson, a member of the (bHaufs Privy (Nam
eil nml an e.arnest friemd to ptaiee, but. his nolba' luul beam virtually
withdrawn in eonsiMpienee of the answt'r of tlu* PnajiitU’ t/> (piestions
whieh, it was insinuated, bad biam eollusively put to him by |)roini
nent Peelitvs, fritmds of Mr. (ilibs^in. d'he. hostile movtaiamt. was
however startcal afresh and pn'ssed to a vo-te by Mi% Disruidi, tlu'.
{Conservative' leiubu’ in the House'; and tbes position of tbe' Mifii.dry
in the* <a)u(lie( l)y wliich it was ut(<aupt(*d to be overthrown was (bus
de*serib(‘d by (lu* At(orn<*y (Jenerul: It was nttaekeal,” he* said, "'in
front, tbudv, and re'ur by adversarie's wliose* assaults, owin<>‘ to tbeir
rontlictin^ e)piuions, it was eliHiendt t<» meet.’’
4()H
AMKUirAN inST{>!t!fAU A^Si H ‘I vrt« « W
'rhi-< was tlouhth's- a ivwc lU* rriptinu <»i L<u jI Pa!iatM*sluir . t-un-
(lilion on ilu' tu’fasion and if is cau* wlji»’h Parlianu-iu u y l<*ad‘*rs
art‘ a!wa\>. t‘X|HNt‘d and from whifh tin t»rdt*r nf talnn viui l»i‘ iuadi*
sn tdl’iH’tual far dt*fnni’i» us (hut 1 lm\i» ust-riiitHl to luui. It \\ a , my
paid fnrttuu' to uhln to attiMid tlifi-i* dt‘l»atr tar nijdit mu
lM»(h t>r whi(‘li thny wi*ru (Mintiuiual int4i tlu^ ‘'until liniir. ’ ^^{ tht*
niurninii:^ I was prustmt uf (hidr tda au hnviut^ had cauai iuu tu nd*
tuin» (hu jud^mant. tdrt’tunsjHs’tit)ti utui tuluiu tli pluvrd t»\ Palnuu*
slon 1 iinai^tuint, and I rujtjii’i'd in his iiris-s. Ih* trininplasl in
a Ilnust* a uiajnrity of tla* nitauhnrs af uhiiU x\t*rtu at hrtrt, dr
>iruus (d* hi"' ovailhrnw. 'riti» ( Nauann atiu* liaidrrs, uiuh-r tltr in
fhuuH’t* nf tlisuppninf i‘d fVtdinU', insinnaftsP u , 1 ha\r aid* >'m11u
sinn ladwtHui flu* Pnauiur and prandufuf Ihs*litr'=. Put I, ’tnatt
ntuir thi‘ pnithautui ulIudtHi ta, iirfdtMl nti Mtht'r pr«inf uf fh»^ tin
luiindrd natun* tif thn a intpttfut inns than ua^ fa Pr Pmnd a! thu
rnuc’lusinn in thuir rnuntintanru . ,iml ulmlr dmurauMr. If 1 Paid
tunui cailh’d npnu itulirah* thr mt*njP<*r:. wlm Hpprir**d In
flu* rt»"*ull luM'd Inun ily tn hrait 1 puuld pMitUr-P '^ilhtaif
husitutiniK (o Sir danu*s (Jrahaui autl Mr. (Had {ma*. Ih I’arli uus
purluips UHHH* n’ un( ful Put u\idt‘Uttv nat i|unt* tv. mdiappv. And
vtd ihu linul Ujf4\ uhifh i’luilirnasi anil ti rm'ihrij* d th»’ Mun try
in ( hair MUif.'i, had Prrn unaniuuni . my witpaut a ♦lur.itm; -.a Udl
full) hud fhr prnpnsitian anti drluitrs Pisai ^fa\rinrd P> thr ura tfv
spirit (d' thu arrasltin."^
\Miil t un*utpf’d uith fid . part nf uiv ta .k, n fiiiaid withMuf Pidim^
iiwalH* of my partirular arrujiatiau at flu* tmunt-nt* ha. |d t‘»'d m my
hand MarntdayP lad*U af tin* Itfr af VViHuun Piit ni u!iu*h I tlud
" MS fv. t* v:\
*' t havr »-l t»*u !i«'i >' >.* U|-«- f!n> -rr's! u i ' »• a' *' *1: 'H! ■.■1!.- •. a.k-
rh>a -'b !!•* mST t!*.- t ..i;nn,f'-"ar-s*. u ».■ ■ . • a If ►a
tu«“ ai4 «•! ‘UlU- ■’ jfi * {*ath<n a!i»! i-rUiH? U.>- fr-S-it-U .■.sa, ...j,-'- *. , s j-,,-,- .
th** mlMpriMn t>( r-.jmf i * • ^ i, » r.-,-a a.
^iUuitlU*' a ^iUlMUr uh^-h i« r.rr f Ir.^: it!;:. .* : Sf.r.--
J.tiia Uj}»| liiU ullni .-UjaUU' •'? .I'.S'T fi}*! I arfil at 'i > '■ ■ <■> * r-ti:’
Ua\»' jail iraj-'! «4 ih*' oiJuUmS?*' rr’.U! Aiih n?a?i fist.* - 1 “ %■_ :■■• : t, „ * 1
h ! sis^iUf fj'i'tiii fli»* }titUl<’>' ‘4 fSs*' I’has an.l Svjaa«i' * •?, U « i.-.ul
nirth>ti. U\ mlrMUIv iiUnalUta CU«- usul » a
t>t lit** nraU fL*- Uv LIfh Siif.- a^s f?;-:? U*'
3 rt I A Sf I iiKt'
" Ital nh'ai Until iU-xi ni'- tas*- jt.u? ui-: S.i.M's.-r, ,.iia •*’ > i -i.
!i»* in fh*- rMiji5»-4f 3,f»a» aii.| lnfi-Ua^n. { iUti J'fiat h.. ?;t -r i r.-nj}:;.. ».f
il.r iHiU I ‘ 'tm * * »'! U it *4 iU«' »l« «»| I am » tiHrtl in »}«!«
'’Aial W IlK-ll! h»* llUtI «;»» iH lUJimiiHiTr «3» it. n S" . Pil-.i* ; -tSJ 1 - -sU
i|ii* » « It mill til* nuiUliJjit'^
I 'mI {h»‘ > .JtlUtSt • r :i> -.-.lU lU-.jl lli'tr tiM I »■ ■'. >U t < » U' 'Is Us'S*!*'. * .1:..“ t: i :r. ; : * : J
UUm'Ui«'« j-. rt#nr« ::'T lodU
"Ainl Un'li.' ft |,'r«-at ta ntn\ Ha- f-at.i'sj Hin? ut-f.- .4 SA.- USt.;:::, ,> -.t'.
mill f-aiiliijr:. nt* s vit In Htia man , i»nf -a .ti.i.'i 4 .i,. si
ta tiUu r t M i n**! JitUit slKnlil tt < ♦mU
*'Ait»! tvh»-fi Ela ft- iittaw' j4 flUi'a intUsft. ils«* » til- f i i, }.. ..i.ff J. a -h . a.|
hitvi* p«sH*-*l in {ll’a-fts *4 fUrlii, sMtulU.«l)*U'<l ?». 'A -.irfl f« f-ji*- ’/ais
U,v fura* fjMiu Hn-m, m»'l !»» ht*uK Uitn inr* Ut- ' .tci}.- ■
AUTOlUOcniAPIlY ()!■' MAIITIN VAN’ UUUKN.
469
vitnvs so opposite' (o iliost' I have ('xpi'ossod as to make it, in sonio
sonsi*, my duty to nnti(’o them. Tie desi’rihes tin' '^iilijecd of his
Momoir as tfu' (/rctdcs! nittstiv of the irholv art of pdrUttfortilarj/
<j(nu‘i^fui(vnt that /oav ever a greater than Montagu oi* Wal-
pole*, a greaiter than his father Chatham or his rival Fox, a gri'altu’
than either of his illustrious sueeessors t-anning and Peed.’’
Having aeaunahal, with a <(egree of justk’e whi(*h I am ne.itluM* pn‘-
pare'd nor disposed to (|uesiion, this eminent distimdion to Mr. Pitt,
lie jiroeeeds to a di'seription of the length of time, during whiedi tlu‘
‘'arid' or power referred to has existed in Kngland and of tlu' im-
numse ad vantages shi* has derived from its exendse, to a delinilion of
that power and to his view of the (|nardi(’utions wliieh are sidlieiimt.
to tmahle its possi*ssor to wield it with suceess. ITpon the latter point
!i(* thus i*xpr<*sses himself: — •
rarlhonoMtary novinauaeiif l.s 0(»v(*nunonl l>y speakhur. In siirli a Oovi'ni*
luetil flit' pi»w<*r nf spt'nlviuK is Uu* iut»s{ highly pii'/.iMi of all llu* <|iiaUlU‘s wliU'h
a polltiflau fail ptissass ; ami that pawi'i* may evfsf, in ilit' lii^lmst wHIi
tan JutUaufin, wltlaan rtirtltmle, wlthtail skill la rt'adiua tlu' cliaraflers nl'
uuai. t»r the sl^ai el’ the lluu's, wHlmut any kimwh'ilai' <»!’ tlu* jiritifliilfs <>!’ lt‘|;!,is
iaihai* t»r el’ pelilieal ('emiomy aiul witlmut any skill la nipltumify <>r la iht'
ailmialstruiltai of war. Nay It may w<*ll laniiiea (hal ilmsi* vt'py iaiellt'el mil
(jualities whleh rive a peeuliar elmrni t<» fh<* spi‘e('h<\s oT a puhUi’ man may la*
lm-nmpa(!hle wllh the {imiUtii's whieh wtmhl tU him to m<*ft a pn'sslar t'mer-*
rt'iiey with promptltmU' ami ilrmm'ss.
Ijonl Maennlny nam(\s si'veral who Imvi* amiuired tlu* reputation of
great orators u ho wen*, in his opinion, thus di*(ieient, hut lu^ does
not inelude Mr, Pitt in llu* numher, nor is it fairly inferuhle from
what he says of him in that (’omuadion that lu* so regurd<*d him, I'lie.
propo: ilion la* siattvs was more proludily ili'signed as a gmu^ral one
expressing his dissent from the eonuimnly reiadved idea of the ([utili-
lieutions indispensnhh* tt> the eonstitiition of a master, in (In* highest.
(h‘gn*e, of t!u» art of Parliamentary ( *overnnH*nt, I (amnot assent
to the pordtion assumed hy liiin in this regard not wit hstandin/^ my
admiration of his ahi!itit*s and atnannplislmu'uts as a publie writ(*r.
without ignoring the teaidiingsof a long pnldie life, a large portion
of whleli has bi'en spent in li*gislative bodies of a (dmraetei’ ipiiti' w'ell
euhaduted to test the (aipaeities reipiisite to ihtdr gnnerument, d'lu*
compariMm that he institutes betwt‘en the relative powers whit'h
(’Imrles '‘rownshend nr Mr. Wdndhain, on the one hand, wen* | pos
.‘•esM'd of] or wliii’h Mieh mt‘n as ()livt‘r Cromwell, who, says,
tallo'd nonsensi*, and William the Silent, who d’nl not talk at all,
uoidd liave h(*en eapulile of exi*reising in the (hivernmmit of the
IloiUi* of (kniuuons, I’au searei*ly he regardetl a;; a happy or a safe
illustration of tlu" value of (jualiheat ions in a jiarliumentary leader,
Nvhirh iu* detuns nnueei*ssury. A mon» reliahh* solution of the latte!*
inu'stioii would 1 think he reiu’hed by eompuring the probable elli
470
A M mu 'AN 1 1 IS'rt JU U *Ah ASSt K n ATH 1 X .
'•it'iit’v <jf sui-li u\\n\ as Wintihaiu aiitl Ttivva^luMitt tlu’ i\\va\
ilii'atloiis nO'frml to with that (if tlu* unu* jurfut hamai in |nt
of tlifiu. If till* <tin\*n*tua' uotOtl bv \utlu>m iltnila \vv\ 4i
(‘Ukal it would mh*iu iuiptJNsibh' to luaku a |i;n*utrr iiuiuli h* “thr
irn*a(i*st" iua'^ttu*of thu wliolu art iif parliammitary ‘j^ovunuuuul nut
of (Uu* who dors not possnss siirU <|na!ilirat ituis.
A puhlir sprukrr, ou partirular orradiuis atid utulrr a<lvi*utitious
(drrtunst anrrs, niav hr ahli* to rivi‘t thr attrutitni ujul utdi>t thr furl
ln<.rs (d* his hiMU’iU’s for thr luoiurnt, av rarry I’rmm^ou . r<»urlu uuiis
to llu'ir minds, without tht' aid tif -tu'h ntixiliarv qtuildirat ion . .i ,
havr hrrn naiurd, htit to fstaldhJi hianrlf in thr ^’:o\rrnmrnt of -ttrh
a hodv ns (lu» lMiu!i*>h IIou r of ( ‘oiunuaus it i % at Ira^t, indisprij ,a
hir (hnl 5u* siunild utajtuiv and rrtain thr t!cM*p sratrtl atvd Uahitual
conlidriirt* of a majority of it - nunuhrr , unit Iujw tliut i*un In* ur
tuHiiplislual hy a Iraiiiu* "w itht>t!t jud^intuit, hn titUiir *U' ’ kill in rtuid
thi* rharartiTN id’ mm or tlu» si,t»tns of thr tnnr-., and withoul
any kn<iwtrdi^»‘ rd" tlu* ]u*inrip!rs tjf Irii^udatioii/’ i-. ht^voutl ia\ rum
pndimsion.
'i'hr history of onr pnhlii’ mtui uir*uui . an in tnnrr uflirirutlv iui
poriant and appliiuihlr to tipply i’nnriud\t* n*H on < to pnor thr
inrapnthty id’ a lO’rat orator to i^ounn ]}:irhanirntarv t»r h-pi lurnr
hoilh'.s who is ilrfirimt in a portion only of thr i|uuhilrat ion . dr
srrihrd, 1 alludr to (hr ra^u* of Ah'-Xautirr Ilamdtou. 'f lu* u roorif?
tion may rxritr iirprisr in thr mtnds of thir** \%hn lnn«‘ kiuoui
nothin^' prr omdly of that tuninrut man, hut it may hr ^udl duuhtrd
wludhrr hi. mitivr (‘ountry KiiplaiuP has twrr piodtUi*d tau*
who uu , at all pt»ints, a morr ruu%hrd orator. Hr \mi-. wrW rdu
rutriL Wi*ll : npphrti uith knowirilpr rspmaUy uppHriddr to thr
dnfit‘* of a .tatr nuin, prarrfnl and winninp* m pr t uir and m In.
didivrry, a man of romprrhrtr ivr and rlrvatial % irw , an rap»n uimI
rurnrst putri«»t in tlu* msr of opinions uinrrndy aiut hourstly tu-hi.
jMiwrrful, tho* ditTusivn, ui ttrhat«\ ami wiltuil .‘.uprrinrt\ rluijumf,
\'<»t thi’^ man thus ta\ i Uly fund’ Itrd ^'^ ith famltir atui i»ppm*
I unit it*' a » a puhlii* xprakrr ur\rr art|nirtai a l orrr .pontlim% inurh
h**^-s a roniroltinp; inllumn* in any pul>lii’ hoti\ of uliirh hr u.i a
mrmhrr. His failurr in this r«*pard thtd dijuhtir , in pait, at
(rihutahlr to a drftN'tivr jutlpmrnt us wrll in thr roust nutioii nf In ^
puhlir mra airrs a:, in thr mraus rinptoVrd m thru upp<u t, ua
owinp morr to hi% having hum “without %kiU m jradinp thr rhai
a<’ti*rs of inrn oj* thr signs of thr liiors/' d hr ron i^ipa'ins* of lh»*
drfiH’l utu’r M'lui and frit hy hn^ roiitljut»*r a. wrll a hv hi Mp
' \ «|J| \li a taiOji tiilfiUijfMt aiv»l Mt' lUr W n4;*lS«84 < n-*; -»
mtiHf !
MS. IV. a. ihu.
AUTOBIOGRAPHY OK MARTIN VAN BUREN.
471
ponents in the old Congress, and one of them has already been re-
ferred to in these pages. But they were more strikingly displayed
in tlie Convention for the formcation of the Federal Constitution,
in which his influence as the sole representative of a State of the
first importance and as the greatest orator in the body was totally
destroyed by the errors and indiscretions of a single speech, and
tliat his first and principal performance of that kind.
Whilst such were the results of Hamilton’s parliamentary efforts,
his friend Madison, who partook largely of his political heresies in
one or two particulars, who was not equal to him as an orator and not
more than equal to him in general intellectual .power, left inefface-
able traces of his great success and usefulness in both bodies. Other
considerations doubtless aided in causing this difference in the
results of their labors but it is not to be doubted that it was princi-
pally occasioned by the possession and vigilant exercise on the part of
the latter of the qualifications referred to and which the former
lacked. A more reliable judgment would have impressed Hamilton
with a proper sense of the importance of ascertaining his ability to
obtain the assent of the Convention at least to a system of Govern-
ment like that he desired, — to wit: one which would favor the ulti-
mate introduction of monarchical institutions — ^before he ventured
to avow his preference for such institutions as unreservedly as he
did in the speech alluded to. A still more advanced step in wisdom’s
way would have been the mature consideration of the probability of
his being able to secure the concurrence of the States in the establish-
ment of such a system before he attempted its passage in the Conven-
tion and of the ruinous consequences to his political friends, to him-
self and to his Country, that must follow his failure. A large por-
tion of the members of the Convention, probably a majority, were
his friends, and could have had no motive to conceal their purposes
from him. If he had possessed but moderate skill in reading the
characters of men and judgment sufficient to appreciate the import-
ance of the information, he would have found but little difficulty in
satisfying himself that, however much disposed some of his col-
leagues might be to wish success to his views, there was, in all prob-
ability, not one ready to encounter the responsibility which he boldly
faced and to risk their reputations and positions by openly sustain-
ing the preference he was about to avow, much less by any attempt to
carry it into effect. Washington, the President of the Convention
and his friend, if pressed with the earnestness which the occasion
would have justified, would not have hesitated to say to him that,
however strong might be his own apprehensions as to the final suc-
cess of Eepublican Government in this Country, he Avould feel it his
duty to peril his life in supiiort of the attempt to uphold it until its
impracticability should be demonstrated by the fullest experience.
472
AMKUli’AN lUSTOKlfAI, ASStii ‘!A I'luN.
! yf' '■
z
i ■
If TTniuiltoii liml Ihhmi rupabh* i)f umlt‘r>tautliHtr tln^ am]
dis|){).siii()iis of tlu* iH'opli* whosa caiisr ht' hatl gallantly <' puu .m 1,
or (d’ naulitig tlio sipis of tlu* tinu‘s iu^ \\ijuid ha\t* *Mai aial
ft‘ll flia iiut)t>>sil)ilify of ohtninio^ tlu*. roiifornau’o of a iim ■
porily of ilio statics, iioi.withNtandiuijf (naaisitinal y undt‘r
the iidhuMiro of udvorso t*ircunistuiua‘S, of hikt‘ wanma* and hark
wardnoss in thair di^votitni (o fnn* iib 4 itulioii>, in tUr r fahli.-danrut
of a sysloin which was liable to the NU'^pieioii nu*ndy n{ haviiij^ l.rtai
<li*si^‘ned (o sap the haiuilatioiis upon whirh Hopuhlicuty t!<j\rru'
jueid <‘Ould alone he siislaiiaak Ihd hein^^ a- he was, withuiU kill
in reading the {diaiau’ltuvs of men <ir the Ni».pe. of tlu* tiuie-," ami
absorbed in the egotism and ntteiulanf vanity which have been the
lot of e'jvat oratiU's in all lu* thouiiht iUily oi his u\My liieas,
of the opiuitULs winch were the fruit of his tnui uu*dituti«iu , and
thus niadt* blind ((y all that was pavdti^ arotind hinn lu^ threw
himself headhui^^ upon tlu* (’onventituj and ret*kle dy pmelaiinetl
siudiinenbs at variaiu'c with what he ouirht then (4* havt* indieved
and what {*xpi‘rienee bus since shown ttf he tlu* rivettefl feeline <d’
the Aiuerii'an petjplt*, nuulerin^ his sulretjuen! uc4*e s a a. public
man imjujssible uiul ('Ustin^' a eloud of sti pudtni dvtu' tlu* pnhey
and principles of (lie p(dtti<’nl party of winch lu* hatl been fr«»m
(lu* bi^ginain;^ the idol^ whieh couhl ne\ci' bi* dis ipatrd uutl undtn*
whieh it perisheii.
I^md iinm^hnnds fame was at it-; lu|fhe' t point at. flu* time o{
whieh 1 am speaking. Ih* held tlu* ilr-a ollice in the knuultini ac
cessibh* to a. subjtH*t, with acknowdedned talent aiul at‘4nu»aucHt:j
sear(*ely second to any contempnrurv anti udli the nut f
opporhmities for their display fnan the wtntl atdi, on the thuu ttf
(he Home tyf Lords uiul in the High (‘our( f»f (diant t*i%. du a‘lti
to the vabu* of tlu^se pt»>scsvi(}tis rame the con luon au* : that they
luul not luH'u conferred upon him through fa\t)r wtue ma th.'
fruits of rewards of obstajuiousueNv or sub4*r\iencv (44 rank ami
powau% It wars, on the ctuttrary, well undi*r taiod tint in rai mg
him from (lu* eondition of a pri'yatt* Nttbjt*ct (41 th*' lurdi dii''ni!\ he
reached, j his Sovereign hud only he.Ntowed upon Inui a trdmt»' pi tb<
diK* ns wa‘ll for his instrumentality in laiunuending tn thr f nur -tf
the Nation u gnait princifde, hmg tlepn* -cd, but whudi wa
important to its welfare, us for tlu* ability uiul luto at ^ani.iyr h,*
lunl exhibited ami the responsibilit ii*^ he had enci,iuit*‘rcd iii .u
(uining its unfortunate (vbieen ugaimt the bitter lueut and
arbitrary pre.lensiou of her retdiliv-.'^ Inidaintl -tud StArri-ipu. d ie- »*
wen* ('(uisideratious which when connected with !u . uupne lotnrd
(’upuedty to tiischnrge its onerotis and n*-;pi)Usi!4le dtUie in a nciniicr
useful to the Couutrys while ereditable to lum df, were calcuiarcd
AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF MARTIH VAFT BUREH. 473
to confer and did confer unusual eclat on his elevation to the office
of Lord High Chancellor of England.
I made his personal acquaintence at one of Prince Talleyrand’s
delightful round-table dinners in which the company was restricted
to nine. On that occasion it consisted besides our host and his niece,
the Duchess de Dino, of Lord and Lady Holland, Lord and Lady
Sefton, — both ladies, like their husbands, veteran politicians, — the
Lord Chancellor, Lord Auckland and myself. I had seen the Chan-
cellor in his robes but did not recognize him in the plain dress he
wore, nor was I presented to him before dinner. Placed between
him and Lord Auckland, with whom I was well acquainted, I asked
of the latter the name of my neighbour, and was, to my surprise,
introduced to Chancellor Brougham. I met him frequently after-
wards, was invariably treated by him with kindness and respect,
neither saw nor heard of anything, save what I am about to speak
of, that should have impaired his claim to mine and yet, as I am
now, when I feel myself better informed almost ashamed to say, I
left England, in 1832, with strong prejudices against his personal
character. These arose exclusively from an impression, erroneous
us I ultimately discovered it to be, in regard to certain effects, pro-
duced upon him by his sudden and great elevation from the rank of
a private subject to the highest office in the gift of the Crown, and
to the Peerage.
I have seldom observed in the habits of any people a more striking
and commendable feature, or one which has afforded me more satis-
faction, than the equanimity with which the higher classes of the
English nobility enter upon the successive advancements in rank and
dignity to which at intervals sometimes long delayed, they succeed by
inheritance, and the simplicity in respect to personal appearance and
demeanor with which they wear their new honors. This trait in
their character is so general as to constitute a rule, in. the truth of
which no one who has an opportunity to test it will be disappointed,
that the higher the ranks of its aristocracy the more will the ob-
server be obliged to aclmowledge not merely the modesty and sim-
plicity of manner, which distinguish the gentleman in all degrees
of society, but the absence of all assumptions of superiority or merit
on the score of birth. It is doubtless to these features in their dispo-
sition and conduct, almost always visible in their intercourse with
other classes, rather than to any different cause that the remarkable
freedom from envious or jealous feelings towards them, on the part
of those who occupy lower places in the established social scale, is to
be attributed, and they present in this regard a happy model ° for
those who are not born and have, consequently not been trained to the
° MS. IV, p. 185.
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474 amkkh'an msn>uifAL assmiiathik.
|)()ssi*ssi<jn nf liki* di^t inflitni * but liuM* r tiriT»‘dr4 in thnn thrMU'*li
( lu‘i I’ ( > \^ u u u'i’i t '■• n { M 1 b V I lit' I ;i \ ( »!' < 4 t j n * t f St » \ ri «* j ** n ■ K i * 1 1 1 j 1 1 { h » it'4
iiuMi (liusplatHMl will Mdiltmi fail tti :i|»i»n‘>'i;i{t* tin* pM^|Uhair a u,-ll
as I1 h‘ a'ciuU'al duties of llieir pt> iti«ai. Tliex uill tlnnk tlinn
iuadi‘ neither better imr wtjr »* by lu'etinninr flu* r«M-ipir!it <4 ueh tlu'
nities, but n‘‘i>inling tlu‘ puwtu- and raidv whieh luiu- brtai mnlVi ivd
upon lluMu as a trust. otdy btr the athaniaaucHt *4' the pubhr nmid, tla*
posst'ssinn nt whieh {‘utitle. tlnan to tin ninre rr ]nn't and enutidfias*
than ari‘ tlu' leizit iiuati' fruit (4‘ the abh‘ an.l faithful j H-rfunuauf,* nt
publie duties, while M‘rvin|*; tludr (’unntry tht\v \^iU al t> irlhsi hniiur
Up(UJ I heir ehe-s a ml p re a* lit e sample . w urt liV nf bnup itu it ail’d bv H ^
futuri' member ,
4'lu*re ha\i‘ biam illii trimr. in tunee, td’ ihi^ di* eripti«m um<uia
th(‘ ptildie men nf Knulaml und they havt' reeeised the ie\ earner
and gratitude nf their t*nim(rvmem But the enludiieiied v n-u m|
puhTn* pulley whieh iiavi* leil, from an early periuii, in fie- b,* tn-.s
miuit nf tln“e di limUinn-, under a mnnan*h\, \utb»en le^aid in
liirtli thuUjLi'h i'untrarv (n the peniu- nf u»’h a tinaermurut Ita^e
nut, in all ea ts:, luam rewariied witli equal aiei*e . they lia^e fi.rn
at (ime.^ {’nidVrretl nn men whiuii Iheir pn .esdnu ha- muIv ei».r4
<u iufialt* with vanity and arrnmimas
As an Aimu’iimn eiti/en, inten’-ted in the prea«i uf *si\riu
numl, 1 was, nf etmr. t\ : nli<’it<«u ffir li<u*4 HmupliamV m-fi- m In.
nhli» support (4‘ thi' ^*:reat priindple invidveil in tht* qne tnm *>1" Bn
liainimtary ndnrim hi’* <!e\ nt inn to whieh lav af fin- f‘em4aia»n mI
his udvanemmmt ami \vhi<’h wms - till tlepeinlent fur it full 4* udiip
mimt ami seenrity on hi’ enntinued eibni . I aenudund* l»snir4
to his sith' in all his {’unte .ts w ith lii nppnneut ami naturall, ■- 1 bed
him well in all tliinjEj:*. Nmert heh‘^^. ever\ thuq'’ I .avi. ni K:s:i nn
tin* wnnlsiH’k. nn (lu* tlnnr nf the llnliM* nf l^ud . i»r m the lledi
(’nnrt nf (diamauw hnl me tn plaee him in the eatre^ua. *4 lime
spoikal ehildren of fortune whtea* Utaub are Inrned b> liien pro
p(*riiy and wiin t* di pn iiinu , in tend of hriiu/- Mftrnrtl aie m.ide
han/Liiity and a .nmin*i b\ the amplitude nf their pnuei . li '.’'-muM
now be nn h‘ss disagreeable lUuU UMde-. , tu ree.ill the parte tdar ei,\
and (’ir(’mnstanet*.s whieh serviai to ripen tlmt impn* . i»m luln a
painful enm ietinii. It Is enniii^h in say that th*’ iat t«*r e i a an
(cn* as it vva-^ unwelenme. ami Inqil it,s Imhl upnn nn* when I » une
hnnus I aeknow ledired it without reserve tn my rriends w h^ n the
opinions I had formed of tin* publie men of lAnrland wei«- a ked,
altho' m*vm’ nnneeete arily nr hy way of repnaieh. Ihuaup iii\ ee
oiul visit abrnatl many yt*ur,s later, I wa thr<}wu in a rln er in
(inumy w'itli I/onl Brougham and, w'itli nearer v i»*w «if ihr man,
laa'ame. fully satisfied that my former npiniun n{ Imu had been
AtrTOBIOGRAll^HY OV MARTIK VAIT BURERT. 476
most unjust. The addition of more than a score to the number of
his years and the change which had taken place in his political posi-
tion, I am awarej were enough to work a gTeat change in a man’s
feelings but, in the natural course of such things, this change would
have been the other way. The disease which, in 1S31, I believed to
be upon him in its acute form, would, if such had been his condition,
have become chronic in 1834. But thex’e were no such indications.
I never, on the contrary, saw a man who, after passing thro’ so dis-
tinguished a public life, was more at ease with the world, less prone
to carp at the management of public affairs by otliers — ^the besetting
infirmity of retired Statesmen — ^less restive under the neglects with
which the worshippers of the rising sun regard his setting or more
cheerfully acquiescent in the conclusions at which the great com-
juimity of which he is a member had obviously arrived that the day
for liis active and useful participation as chief in the weightier mat-
ters of the (xovernment Ixas passed away forever; a judgment which
communities have a right to form and express according to their own
pletisure and from which rational men, with faculties really unim-
paired, will not be disposed to appeal.
As far as I had opportunities for forming an opinion, and these
were not few or unfavorable, he seems envious of or dissatisfied
with no man or set of men and, forgetful of former prejudices,
devotes the remnant of j)ower and influence that are left to him
to the improvement of the various public institutions of his Country
iind a liberal share ofl his leisure hours to social enjoyments, par-
taking of them, with equal zest and satisfaction, with friends and
foes of former days. Such would not have been the evening of a
life the meridian of which had been deformed by passions of the
character I had supposed — a sad error on my part tlie correction
of which will always stand among the most cherished recollections
of my last visit to Europ)e.
Lord Derby, the present first Minister, was then a member of
Lord Grey’s Administration, holding the office of Secretary for
Ireland. I thought him the readiest and keenest debater in the
House of Commons. A thorough comprehension of his subject and
a happy condensation of its most material parts, a perspicuous
presentation of the questions growing out of it, with pointed but
iincrowded illustrations and legitimate deductions going to strengthen
the side he espoused, expressed with a remarkable clearness and
delivered in a peculiarly graceful manner, were among the striking
features of his speeches. They were always listened to with interest
and on great occasions rarely failed to elicit the admiration of all
who heard them. But they did not, in general, produce a corre-
sponding effect upon the vote of the House. This discrepancy
.\.\li;i:l<'AN HlSTDIiU’AL ASSdt 'lArii i \ .
1^;
f "
- *“
470
was not. undiO’Htooil to aris(* as mnoh finnii au avtosinn his vii‘\vs
of the sul)jt'ct. uiulor cl(‘l)ati' or from any OrTtM-t H in hi . ar^uuuon ,
as from (ho ai>paron(ty imporions spirit with \vhii‘h tlirv \mt(‘ vn
fonasl. \\4mtover may havr horn thr triu^ i‘hararlrr of his frcliinj:;'.
of which I was not wcdl ruon/^h acijuaintnl with him U) jud^r \u\
always srrnu'd to mr nunv intent upon harassin*!; tlmn upnu con\'iui ^
in;** his adversary. Ihvsrntin^' himself in tiiat attittule, us I cannot
hut think lie di<l to others as widl as my>elf^ his Ussaidts and replies,
I ho' always couched in civil and parliamentary lan;L^uuc:t\ ;.»emM'al!y
assumed a harsh and irri(ntin<*f character. Ui.s dislike to Mr. ()'(’nn
nelh with whom he often hroujucht in ctmtact hy tlic naturt* of
his ollicial dtdies and, dotdali'ss hy a sincere heliid' that ht* wa . wn
dt'rin;j>* tht‘ ('ountry a service hy ket»piu;e; him in cheeky led him to
indulo't* freijuently in such tiispluys ami st nmirtheucil a hahit to
which he was naturally not. disindhu'd. In n^spi'ct. to him, at lea.U,
I was ([uite sun^ (hat- I w'us imi mistaken in a auuiin!: that 1 h‘ aeteil
from systiun ami not. upon (he imjjnh.t* of tin* lumr, and u<sM‘edeil
in [)roilncin‘>’ {he desired ellVet. ('ertain it uas that {)*(\jnnell
.s(*ldom eomnumeed an alU‘r<'at ion with lum which ctudd ha\e hcen
uN'oided and wlum one was forca'tl upon him la* appcari*il de iemi .
to |L»:(‘t. rid (d’ him as soon as he (aiidd, 4die r parrinp; ht'tween them
wi*r(* amon^* tht‘ most spiey prni’eediu;i;'n t)f the Hottse ami therefm’e
alti*a<’teil nuuH‘ of my attention.
By llu‘ sidt* of the S(*cr(‘tary for Irelaml, sn.^ainiuo; flu* sauu'
A(hnini.stnil iom hnt. in one. rt*.si)eet, at haist, in striking: eoatrast
witl^ l\im, sat Ids assotuate in (he i*nhiuet, the lute Kurl Speneer,
then I^u’d .Vlthorp and ( lianeidlor of the I\\eliiMjui*r. It uould he
doin/j,' Ltu-c! Althorp injuNti<H' to : ay ttiai he was a thd! Npt*aker
for h(‘. was a man cif i*xeelli*nt seUM*, hi|jrhly res|Mn*tulde in hi . ae
(juirenumts and of extuuplary prohit\, who axoided nnutMu* ary
alft*rea(ions, eontined his athmtifUis very much to (lu* duties td‘ his
ollii’e ami was assiduous in tlieir piudoi'iiuinee. Wlmt uch a man
says upon a suhj(‘ef the invest i]L?at ion td' whudi i . nuule hi i ptnual
tluly is always listemnl to with j‘e pt‘c{ ami eontidema*. In (jther
)H‘spt‘ets the. (’haiieidtoi’ of tlie K.\ehe([ner setmual to hi. hearer.
('spcMually to Insiamhu’s an uuintine-tin*!: >pt‘aker. Still nmfi* de
(‘ided was this impn‘ssion when Ids spi*eeht*s w(*ih* eontra.ied with
the. severe inviadives and brilliant sallies displayed in thn i* of Ids
nioi'e impidiious as well as morn pitjuant assoeiate I/fual Stanley.
Lor<I Althorp hore the lumors he. poss<»SMal and tlie <’ont(Miiplat ion
oi thost‘ to which he. w'us destiiuul, in (hi‘ natural course of things
to succeed, witli rt*markuhle. Imtuility. Ih* allVetetl iio .superiority'*
over those with wlnnu he acted, was scruptdou lv cand’ul not to
•MS. \\\ t». lUi>.
AUT()^U(K^UAP^ V OK MAUTIN VAX
4 77
oHViul the feelings of iui}'' otu* and guvn his n‘aM»ns for his supinnl
of oi* ohjeeiion to any nu'asnrt* Indore lh(‘ Ihaist* plainly, uiodoslly
and wilh sullieienf- (‘h'urness. Ho ronsisftnil had herin a-. I wa*. in
foniuah (he mauiri'stuUon in his parliiuiunitarv rareei* of ila* i- atl
inirabie features tluU never, in its wholi* <‘nurs<\ h;ul the prejiuliee
ov ill will of his asso(‘iates in the puhlie ^erviee htaai t'xeitod agaiiet
him. The dilferenee hetwetui the degrt'es of iullueiteo whieh these
g(*ntlenu'U were eapuhh^ of e.xtu'ting in .sn[)port of the men ana*
(‘onimitled to tlu'ir su[)erintendeni'c* was nth inet)nsi<leraljle, and I
eonfess the comparison slruek ns favorable to I lie superior use
•fulness of the Chnmahlor of the Kxehe<iuen
4'herei was an oeeurnnu’e in the Houst' at (he session to whitdi I am
j’(d\‘rrinir st> W(4I ealeulattal (o i!lu.v(rab» the <’}mnieter of the upright
and unassuming Lord Althorp as to justify me in untieing it. An
eiTor to the extent of a million in a matter eumieeted with, tin* dntii‘s
of liis odiet' was elaimetl to Imvi' been tli caoered in an oppo nitm
iiKuuber- I believe Mr. ( 'roken* and luauiglit befi»re the Ibm r with
ima’li formality. Tlu* mistake^, was n<it, poitibsl nut with uilieliatt
dis^ineln(^ss, io prec’ludi* di* t’Ussioig and one of [hr ( 'banerlhirV
friiMuls, Lord Palmeiv-ton, I think, rostMOul n‘plitsl to uhiU had beeu
said witli mneh apparent sman^^s. laiint Altlmrp, lunne mure familiar
with (lu^ snhjeet, lanaime ::oouer nppri .ed of the eorreetut* of tint
allegatioti and al(<*nitdefl to nrn» t tin* ili eii ion: a. non a*, hi:
friimd n'siuned his seat, thanking the latter for the prt»m[)t ne .s u itb
which he luul eomt‘ to hi : aid hi* aeknowletigt»,| the mi -tahr* impmed
(o him, witli Ids usnnl ingemmusness ami e\plnlnetl to tin- Ibui r Uuw
it had oecmrred. Hearty nml prtdouged c'hei*rim»: forthwidi ful
lowaal from botli sides of tin* Uotne eredituhlt* tu tlie oppn ititm for
its magnanitjuly mid to Lord Althorp as an indication of hi per
sonal standing among his countrymen of iwery pi>!iti«a! denomina
tion.
I/ord John Rns.a‘11 was, I bt*!ieve, the youngest uf flu , trio of
jmdor meinbeuM of Lord Cire3"'s Cabinet who took acfi\»* part in (he
proiaa'dings of tin* ('ommons at this time, and did mm-fi to lav the
romulalions of tln^ir ^tlb^ts|uent eminence in the LunneiL uf the
Nutiom A promising -cion of the Hou i* of Hedford, tin* rr p.*rt and
good will of the pi‘ople W(*re tendered to him in adwnna* a , a tr>ti
moiiial of iIh* vcuieration tln^y elu-ri bed for tin* virtue, of it . dius
trioiis fonniliu’. Lord Jolin wa.: Layma -ter of (hr loiree . and l.radm*
of tiu* lloiee of (‘ojmnons, d'o him wa eununitfed tin* respun ihle
and Idghly honorubh* tru-1 tif pn*jJ!iring nnd intrudueine intu tlmt
lIom;e (he Ivi*form Idl! of |h: 1I, ami of superintending it . pa age.
dlm.se duties he piU’formeil with murli parlianiemarv (art, ouud
judgment, and gnsaf .* neei* * . Altho" lie <iitl not p«*rhups in a ingle
insiunee make what might In* called u brilliant . preelu hr .eldonu if
478
AMKUU^AN IIIST(UUCAL ASSoi'IATlO
over, rail(‘(l io sav what was ntnH^ssary ov say it a( tlu^ riidit linu».
The al)usi‘s of the existing- systtnn a ml tiu' |jn4>ai>li* atlvanlayv:. nl’ tlu'
iniproveinenls proposed by his IVdl wen* :4‘t forth Ijv him [djiinly,
eoiU‘isely and foreihly. Kverything In* said M-iwctl tn -ati I’v his
iiearei's that, allhough zealous iii his support of the great principle
upon wdiirli it proeia'ded, lu* wais lujt di^-posial ti> pudi the enforce
inent <d‘ (hat principli* to an (*xtiMU that would la^tray inditVercnce
to the siH'urity and stability of tlu' inpau’taut intt'n^st that would
unavoidably be atlVeteil by its passage, tor gutul or for tw iU or a want
of ri*sp<*ct (hat w‘as due to <ipposing opinions, ( >n (la* contrary la*
avow'tal and acted upon (he (‘onviction that tlu* ndorm of a system
(d' so long <*tm( inuanci', (o which so large a shun* of tin* intelligence
and W(‘alth of till* < 'ountry wih opposed, to he safe* and u eful .- hoidd,
at Ic'jist, Ih‘ gi*adual and inuUuvly mmsitlered at t*viu\v ti‘p. lie was
a<'cm'dingiy dt‘sir’oUs, throughout, to carry the Kc’buni principle, in
lilt* lirst instanei*, only far emaigh {o sht*w atid to atbu'd a rea‘<mah!i*
illustration cd’ (Iu» advantages td' (lie proposed improveiiumt and lo
tmnhh' llu’ Country to n\gnlnii* it*, futun* net ion upon the subject h\
the light of expi'rieiiee. l\y sueh a eonrse he thought the i*omplaiut:.
of lhos(‘ who lell nggrie\‘et| ])y the abuse, of the ting sy tern
u'ouhl l)e fairly n‘spia‘(t*d without dtring; inimu'essiry \ iohmee t«} the
o))inions and fetdings ami siippoMai intcri'sts of tledi* opponent .
dims wis(' ami siateMnaidike in his vit‘Ws, all Kngluml, 1 ve!’il\ he
li(Wi*, tlu^ gn*atly divided upon tin* tnain .athjeet ami al tj in reg n-tl
to llu‘ most (sxpialieni way of dealing with it, was w*e!l ati tied with
tlie mann(‘r in whieh h(‘ discharged hi,, responsibh* ami diilimdt
duties.
lie- has sinee, sluired liherally iu the eonlithmet* nutl favor of his
{’outitry and for a long tinu* tieiuipied the dirtingni bed po i of
Premier Ministms His reputation ftir morality, int<’giit\, pi‘r..onal
and olheial, am! for politi<*nl eonstnney i . (!«• ervedly held in high e -
t.iM‘m hy all his e(mntryinea witliout distinction (d' party. He is a
stmsible, well Inforimal painstaking gentleman uml in e\ery ens*
trust w’orthy, uml I cannot but- tliink that it ha^ been iuving imu’e.
to t:li(* gemuad eons(’i(jusm*ss of (he exislenee of tlu' s* valnulih* fca
tnr(*s in Ids eharaeter, in {’ontuadion with tlu' partiimhu* tran action
of which I lui\t‘ .spokim, than to suppoNtnl intellecdual MpHU’iorit v
over eonlemporiiry statesmen that his public carem’ ha: been o
much mon* sma’essful than (hat of many of (hium
I htaaimt' wadi uetjuuinted with tlu* V(uu*rable metnlau* friun Mid
(llesex, Mr. rJos(‘ph Hume, utul w'ilh Ids amiahlc familv and re(>cai
edly partook of llmir hospitality. AUho' not greatly diHingid liet! as
a ))ublie speaker In*, uhvays posses*<ed himsidf fully of the mmat^ of
tlio questions upon which he uddres.sea the House, explained Ids
AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF MARTIN VAN BUREN. 479
views clearly, and advocated them with earnestness and obvious
sincerity. A large part of his usefulness consisted in his vigilant
watch of power and of the abuses engendered by its possession, his
devotion to liberty and his readiness to make sacrifices for its sup-
port in whatever shape they might be presented. For very many
years a constant object of abuse from those whose selfish aims and
projects he resisted lie lived down the calumnies and sneers that were
heaped upon him, enjoyed during the latter years of his life the
esteem and respect of all parties and died, during my last visit to
England, mourned as a 'brother by honest men and true lovers of
their Countzy.
Mr. Dennistou,^ now Speaker of the House of Commons, and Mr.
Labonchere, still a prominent member of that body, were, at that
early period of their political career, ah'eady prominently dis-
tinguished as among the most useful of its niembei's, a promise they
have very fully redeemed. Neither Mr. Bright nor Mr. Cobden, who
had acquired so much celebrity in Parliament at the period of niy
second visit, were members iir 1831. But I made the acquaintance
of both during my last visit and was much pleased with the liber-
ality of their sentiments in regard to the United States. It was not
my good fortune to hear Mr. Cobden speak but Mr. Bright I heard
sevei'al times — on one occasion when the question Avas one of deep
interest and his effort, in my estimation, fully sustained the wide
sizread reputation he has aoquii’ed as an orator and statesman. In
the course of his I'emarks he treated our Counti-y and her institu-
tions Avith that justice and respect which have often been heard in
his public speeches and which have rendered his name a highly
cherished one in America. Mi-. Cobden has recently paid us a visit
AA-hich I understand he has employed in cai-cful and unprejudiced
enquiries into our condition and into the workings of our political
systems. State and National. I had not the pleasure of meeting
him but I am happy to learn from an intelligent and purely patri-
otic source that in his! respect lor our Govez-nment and people as
Avell as in his de.sire for the success of both he in no degree falls
behind his friend and political coadjutor, Mr. Bright.
1 Jolin Evelyu Denison.
(^HAl*'rKl^ XXXIIK
I havo said that luy in Mtu'^tand ^^a*- tnu hurt tur tlu^
fnnuation of llu* most rrliahlt* n -timati' <»l Im'T ptihlr- ni«‘u and thr»
may even nnaa* truly In* prt*tlit’att*tl ul my (jjniutnr; iu rt*i'':ird in fhr
rhanu’t^'r <d‘ lu»r pi'oph* ami in tla* t‘lTnrts tif hrr puhtn*al lu-tun
li(ms upon tludr liappinr.v; ami ua'll’an*, Xuvinthuh* mv tih.fc‘r\a
lions mndt* undnr rirrmastuiun* . not u unprupit and
llu* t*n\‘rl tjf l!u*m wa.‘. ^rt*ntly in inrrrasi* my favurahlr impr«v mn -
in both rt‘spin*ts. Our t»\vu pt*oph* luivi* rnt’uixrd from thtdr aii*’<* tiu's
a protest apiin.^l lu*r fraim* of ^pnt‘rmm‘nl a prulu t -t’aluii wwU
iha*' blond of Ihnst* who imulr it an<l to wliii’li it i ; tu 1 m* h'>pr»l
Uu*ir dt*srnndani"» to flu* rrmutr I /»rnrratit»H uill raitlilnil^ adhrr**
bocausr it was roumii*d on a jti t rt* prut fur tin* rndH and thr
dignity of man. Hul it sliouhl ntU In* iornottm tir.u tin* dr^'i mu
thus soh*mnIy pronoiuiri*d was mailn fur ami, in ri‘';p^'ia tu u bind
in;^ iidlilnma*, Ina’anu" obli‘.‘:al<H’y only Upon thrin and that tin*
ri/xlil of a pi*oph* to *Ony tlu* foimdatitaiN of tlmir tlu\rrnim*nt on
such priiH’iph*s and t(» on':aui/o it pu\vt*r . in .surli furm a fu th«‘m
shall sri‘ni most Ukt*ly to nlfrrf ibrir .vafuty ami happim* un
fr(*i‘ly ronrt*d{*d to othor nations a:. t*laimi*tl fm* tln*ir ouu, \u tim*
doubts, no om^ <*an doubt that thn form of ( io\ f*runi!ml r»‘runiu/»*d
by tin* luurlish ( oir titution i » murh tlu* « hui*‘t* of bur pi*i>plt* a-,
(hat undi*r whiuh wn havr llu* Imppim* ; to livt* in tin* I’tuma* i»f uui
'Flu* systi'in of (iovarnnu‘nt umlor s\hit’b llu* n*.N|n*«i i\»' nation pr**
f{*r to livi' b(*ln/ 4 ; (lu*rc*forr a nmttiT for tin* t•\sln,^4v^* dut i .mn of »*ai*b
and in ruspiM't to tlu* diNposition td whirh no foruinu int^'rb'trma* i .
allowabh*, it. is njufainst n‘asou ami proprit*ty that tlltlVii*m*r' tif t>piii
ion <*on<’rrnin/i; thr wi tloin of sm-h dir.pusit ion bouhl tu* madu a
sonna* of inl<*i' mat ional di-u<H’(l or lu*artbnrninjys f*f any drsurip
tiotn Both nn*u( liritain uml tin* rnitoil StatoN bavt* indm’t*mi*ut
of tlu^ stron^i'st nainn* ti) a faithful t>bsiu*vant'r of tlu* dntio, wbirb
flow from tlu*M* sound and arknowlrtlp*d m*tu*ral rub* . A fail- rt»m
jiari.son of our rrspiM'tivr svstrms, with rufuruma* to tlu* ^u'uritir
(buy prtividt* for tlu* most t*sM*nfial of tlu* ripbt of mam v\ill bow
llial wt* may, in tlmt. rugard. In* sniil with mm’b truth to bt* iudt*<*d
brrthn*n in priuripbs To mum* a fnw of tin* inovt prominunf ubi»'b
a -so
MS. IV, p. nr,.
autobiography op martin van buren.
481
axe common to both; libert3^ of speech and of the press— to canvass
freely the acts of men in power and to express such opinions of
them as we may think useful and as truth will justify — liberty of
conscience in matters of religious faith — ^securities and safeguards
for the enjoyment of personal liberty, such as the writ of habeas
corpus, trial by a jury of the vicinage &c— the right and protection
of propeify: what candid American will claim that there are any
very essential diiferences in these respects between our condition and
that of the people of England. The fact that the sovereignty, the
supreme power in every branch of our Govpunnent rests with the
great body of the people, whilst in that Country only that which
is exercised by the House of Commons is placed in a more limited
portion of theirs, constitutes indeed a valuable and honorable dis-
lizictioii in favor of our unequalled Constitution Yet, it deserves
to be taken into consideration that the advantages we derive from
this superiority are not so much obtained by the actual exercise of
their sovereign power by the people as by the influence exerted upon
their I’epresentatives by the important fact of their possession of it
and by its exercise on stated occasions, and so regarded, the differ-
ence in our respective conditions will, upon reflection, be found not
so great as may be at first supposed. In point of fact the power of
public opinion in England and, more especially, that expression of
it which is jo renounced by . their people through their House of
Commons is as potential and, in certain respects, more so, in con-
trolling the action of the remaining branches of the Government as
is the right of the people here to displace them all at stated inter^
vals. I have watched the character and course of that power with
znuch interest, regarding its condition as a safe test of the relative
piogress of the conflicting principles of Government embraced in
the English system— monarchical and republican. My visits to and
temporary residence in that Country on two occasions, with an
interval of a quarter of a century between them and on both under
circumstances favorable to distinct and useful observation, have
afforded me facilities of which I have not failed to avail myself for
arriving at ^correct conclusions on this interesting point, and they
have brought me to that here stated; a conclusion which will, I am
well aware, be at first somewhat startling to my republican country-
men, but which is nevertheless a true one. I could, if I had room
for them, which I have not, refer to many circumstances which fell
under my observation, on my second visit, indicative of the great
change that had taken place in the habits and feelings of the people
in favor of principles in the administration of their Government
altogether liberal in character and which, tho’ carried out under a
1274S3" — VOL 2—20 31
|»lausilii!tt y ainl than i ii.i'l ^*1 r' ^ • i. ■■.kuI.I
i-dVti . Alj Ufhlrin mC tUi*. Hi v' ‘;t»'A I v j V; : . , w;j
ita’nrjK HJII f‘» illu irat- lit:
Whan 1 Hr t \v(\ tha rnih'H I'.'M > a. \1:
{•nt in luy luni«l a lattar t»t' iut a a; , » ’ . := a- a ;■. a.
tiTUls, t«i sir lh»ln*l1 lliali , aar rrf tar u.> " h.- |. { » a -. u
(laUKUi of whniu* I a!i! iir<\ a\ar*. haa li .air ui i- a': ? i.t • i a .fh :.aa
will aonaur uith ina in a v lUa' that hr v. a a hi m 't| r ? , ; y
ainl prl\ nta \vt»rl!i a :in> inau 'U thr laiaa*h»iu. In prl’ti. v- a ;
(hail aallaii in fha lannnaar thr »li\ aanl a jIim?;! r\ ? at a*!: ,n
ill\ i‘taiatt a TntW'. Hr rrrr!\r4 inr kuafl\, |«*«Kr w tra.h. **! lh«" arr.|
qtialilia nf ni\ pI'rHrrr • a* a j *, ! r \ p| *‘4 a!i » jT!.*-? W: h t n r. a:l ’ lUl*'
with lua tha t’lariiill)' am! •• •:al rrlataai wlr !i h'-t -n'r,- ji ’;»< ■.»•
t\vaan tluau. Aranrhinal^ h»a |rr a 'M mn nr- v, ,ta nn.! . *1
ati<*n( ion.
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ainl. a*. 1 auuMilrratl it, tht* uhU*. t -prrr-li j hraiH. !!» ^ fhr. »
apuu t fliul nnai airi\ fruin thi* Harl of Harr«aH*v V t^.r fhnrtrHi
uiH ilia fihrn at»u atnarna ata! ruauJi !r i fl^rni ; Sn ora
phui’-jhilit y nutl fniva thun I hah rapipu rrl hi ifanj a(i?ih
AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF MARTIN VAN BUREN.
483
admit of. Wlien last in London I breakfasted with Sir Robert |
Inglis and amongst the company present was Lord HarroArby, son I
of the Ear], then deceased, to whose speech I have referred. I
found the present Lord Harrowby a gentleman of good intelligence
and a decided liberal. Mr. Monckton Milnes, a distinguished mem-
ber of the House of Commons, whose political opinions were of the
same stamp, was also present. The conversation becoming general i
I alluded, in the course of it, to the obvious increase of the power !
of public opinion in their country, and in noticing my remark he
said, in substance, that the Government of England, notwithstanding
its monarchical form, which he hoped would never cease to dis-
tinguish it, was rapidly becoming in its practical operation, as
liberal and as much under the influence of public opinion as one
^ could be that was republican in all its features; that he looked
upon such a destiny with complacency and only regretted that the
Government were not more actively employed in preparing the
Country for the change which its Constitution was undergoing by
a more general diffusion of knoAvledge and education among the
people.
Among the various systems which have been devised and are now
in force for the Government of mankind it is in those only of
England and the United States that adequate provisions are to be
found for the security of personal liberty and the just rights of
man; they are eminently significant of the community of character
and origin of the citizens and subjects in wdiose behalf they have
been established, and they constitute their birthright inalienable and
indefeasible save by their own acts. As in no other Nation are those
rights So well protected, so in no other is their safety Avatched with
anything like the same spirit. The Constitutions of some of the new
republics on this Continent profess to provide for the preservation
and enjoyment of them but these are, in the main, merely paper
institutions productive of few practical results. Long continued
abuses have taken too deep root to be speedily extirpated and the
people over whom these new Governments were established have
been too much enfeebled by past debasements to be able to assert
their individual rights with the vigor indispensable to their perma-
nent establishment. Considerable advances have been made by Sar-
dinia towards the promotion of liberal principles in the administra-
tion of government in that monarchy, but this is a speck upon the
political horizon of Europe. In regard to most of its States and
especially to the large and controlling ones of the Continent the
principle of arbitrary government is at this time, to all appearance,
as firmly established and possesses as much power as at any previous
“ MS. IV, p. 200.
jirntMi within tfu* inr -in r-fni;: *.. i' ^ ;>-r i i ■ ' . * t-ir
ouiui'il tl'cinMh ti! {{•:iii mI !« in:' ii inn < '.n m i
IVmI'i (1h- ;M*M'-ranIn-Ml pn ithUi nl' n n mu ^ h-^ h !i < h;-,-,
jcrtiul (u it, hiakr t hi au aitri- ii'- n . :i I:.i! vfi’in* . liit' iJ>-« \ri tiliniui*-;
• iftinait Urit iinant! ihr I inlf i . t ! \,* j a i«‘|*rM irh
to !Ut>>t <ir th*‘ ( iin, ►‘niiUt'Iil mI' lMn*'pn ami a Uiii rr i.t* aiMl tUiivi
tinn aih! uitrut hi iinli aimnjf^- fha |irMnh‘ nhj“ - t t,. thr I !ih*i' a -
arn i’aj lahln n 1 urn i**r t a ah un' i iaar j :t :• u ' H >1 : lurU in {,» n
i*rmm*nta taiunnl Imt ria*ar»l a • a rmi iaui iumiaai- t.» lla ir ill .‘nidru
pMWt'r, I1iat th^*v i|»» im.i at?.ai;|*t h* W‘>l»‘ur** ai tur
prr t*nt ui'iiiiput, thr piisl f* ■ tm*' I h^ lf»*r Hi tifuMwii !, ali»u.' at
t t'ihiitahlr til thf luatrrml tfam-nli ui?;i vJr -h tUa? laiat t arjunl
aihl \n tht* ha/an»l mI' 1 hr . mSP .mh hi uth**> .
l’hlJL’;i'l la 1 rtill mainlHu. t la* iritliMii ii*' 'h , h» ! « t .tuir rhrr
iahiMl with tla' iiauiata-iuritl .Mr! ha p‘atr •'. h r f anr^au l’.'iia»|ir,
a - tlirs urll LumU, t Ur ‘Ihr**!;*' hi rr i ' hi fir fix,* rnU
irnHiiiL^ rliauauC nf jinv-ri- ill (hai (‘taHii'm Hr! ihiI imH': taat i.
t‘tm taiitly ami uanu.ail\ r,rrinr* .< r* Mr ■•i^hhhih ‘'th-a thr
rliarartrr nf ihrir rrlatam . A hia- tA > |« h ji •» ., • * tra inAv
iti nhi.rih ha. flui. hrsHi hj.*v’. a H'lvMru arh Auhh;. ?, nil
Hiir haiuL anil f iir aata’raii f:r . : U: uM m ra f h.- mI hri\
uhirh priiUii r‘ . ti* rUihn*- a hrr^ a ih f i.vi up. a
ihr uill nr t hr art ii 'U M j' ai him ihu hAm*' t t.t ih.- IHa-ltr , lA.llf
uitudi* ha\r hrrnatr (hr rha t ■.! '.r;!!unii tr i «hUai • nur. lu f., th,*
t\\M FurUirr Nat mu . i-Wnl) a uhj hp. l, * r r Hit.'lr I , V.hrthrf
iljuurili:ttrl\ tlirri fnl .'ju.jia f flraii n? Iri^aJ iuM.iiu JU l.hr t aitr.!
Statr Hurt hr rr‘.riy,a'il a an ifl.i.-h rp^a h.* h anh r. Al, n i m* hr
llMjir.l, hr airf With niral {»M:f M. la- li, 1 ur Ur'l M |*.i arh a
.‘trUluAr aihl till' I M Mil fnr h nutlrrh, a;*- r,rHHM»a.lh- raiuilur
ht riUirl h aai 1 U ill hrmutr run •, Ui^iratrl UitUr Uii f'H .L? i M-. Ihr
pmh r timr nf it urrurr.-f ir^' ! ‘nh uir.r. , A » f l . Ju! 'Ul ;r;' air
uppruai'h iu that a wa ai- i a? tlr- p' i n j ..i thr IlnU Alh
aiua*. What JuuAit hair h» . a th«r. at atpuA ^ lua*' Huui r hut
pniiap- hall ur n hi-.w if Mr. ( Aar ir hrl a. a nurM^-r.-i that
rrrlvlr-.. hn? p\ \-j?h r-H-Hir nUn !?l: ► a h*Mn|i nf t!«r *^ri| ,||
{hi - (Mutllirut, aillhilUH In thr I rri tP,. i> U Arn- t.f
thr Sniltli Aim i irau Stair , p. a .r t in rr latitir' tir- Miri Marluunit .
nf thr pirit nj lir put i m auA haA imf thr urhifram. pMun i.tl.ru
ahinn at ilir h'lAiap rxihliltrii up.ui thi* nhjrrt m Anrua a aial at
thr Mppniiunr rr at.pniraurr of Napnlrnn nu tlir .tapr nf artinU,
I hrraf {'iuii‘5' thrir artnai pn . t- ' inu , W'r ihu iinWrwrr, hn* w \*\ v\
prrirnrr tluil Nat iniH tnnirr rnniiul uf thr will nf iiiAualHal ran
m*vt*i* stain! fill hut. arr ilr-tiinnl tn rniitiniial rhaupr }a a liair-ral
uiul irrr.NiNt ihlr h'u rrrimni/r thi, truth V, r ha\r niilv In Innk
V aV AlAimx VAN lU'KKN.
485
:i( (ho {luo(ua(it»n'- of tlu* la,- ( ffw viairs in iMiropt*, \\ \vns huf. yt‘S-
ti‘rtl:iy whon I'h'anro and Kn^iaiul inaivlanl sidi' hy siih‘ a<j;'ains(.
Ku>sia \vi(h (*onimr>n iiulianat inn at iho noiilralily nf Prussia and al
|li(‘ su"ph’inu-. haliina’ ‘>1 Aih4ria, d'n day llio hostile rt'latiniis I)(‘-
(ua'tui l^'rancr ainl Sardinia favr)rod hy ihis-.ia on ono sid(‘ and Aus
(ria on llu’ othoi* thn»a(en (In' pt*aoo of tht‘ Vorhl, whilst. Pnoijnnl
and Ih’Ussia, whoso inftu'uat i<aia! r(’la(i<nis ha\<’ nnd(‘r<xoiu* it .u'i'iait
clianp*, '-(and as nontr’a!-. (HU’tuin if iht' wtu’ otidurt's and if (heir mm-
(ratify i ■ pro er\ed, (o inour, in (hoir (iirm (In* roproaohi's and ri‘S(m(.-
inimt of (lu* helliirtU’imts. (‘om[)!iou( ions will (oinorrow pro*
duta» {
or one (hin»i:’ ulnnt‘ we may lu* asmirtal. Tlu' oon((»s( ladwinm
do-po(io poHumimait and t'roo ima it ii( i<ms wilt oontinut' to ho.
wa^al to (ho ond o-f tin* world. 1*0(1! (ho pooplo c)l‘ hhii»iand and
of fin* \ nitod Stuto*, or tho e of oiit* (ir (In* other (‘onntrv o(*as('
(o re pt‘e( tin* rit^hi* aequir(*d hy thi‘ir am-eslors at (Ih‘. 'o;n‘a(os(.
^aorilioi* , ami pro\i‘ t’al e to ihe prinSph* tln'V lia\o lon^!,’ pm-
iV.sod ami inaiiitaiiitMl they will he I'ninnl on (ho ;.anie ^ idn in (ha(
rlruei^h*, liahio to ht* alVoeted hy (In* ;ann* ran o. and rorlnntito in
hoiny' ahh* (o apply theii’ he ( ftn* (heir rimnnon ral’ely. It-
\vonhl seem inipn- dhle that tin* inh’llieeni iidiahit a nt:-. of two
Nations (Inis ituafed slnudd he hlimi In iln-ir Inn* inloro:-h in this
ro^iird or to (In* \i(al importamn* nf pro\idinn’ in ea-on I’or (hi*ir
niuftia! ei-nrily hy (he eul(i\ahoa ami pt'«* taw arum of eordial iv
lation: widi eaeh (»(her. W'ith Nat ion « who oofj ith*r (hal (hi‘ir
re.[>er(i\e position make it hir iheii* infere*! (o him! lln‘in:.ol V(*s
(o mtitnai uppi»rt in spisdthnl ea e^ a (reafy of atliama*, ofh’usivo
and tlt'foirdvo, is (tie n uul modi* hy wldeh (haf ohj(n‘( is aoeom
plhlietl, I hit t*\j}erionoe has yreatly weakened (ho i*nnliilon( ro
lianee of mankind upon neli afeeuard . \\*In*n (ho <‘risis arris'os
il ha hoen hamd (!ia( Nation tli po ed (o he trovorued liy llu'ir
ap[»artmt inteiu* i . at the tnoineni, ami if tlnei* have* nmlt*rjLCoin'
u inatorial i'hanye. unfavorahle to (he pt‘r fortnam'o id' lht‘ir en^a^'i*-
nnmfs, (hey will disreeard nr twaih* (hem, whaii'ver may havt* hi*on
(he :.oIemnity with whiidi • m !i alliarn’i* ha\«‘ he«‘n on(i*ri*d into,
d ho Pniti’il Staler (him uefi-d (InMo idm* in r<* jn*e( in (In* (roaty
(jt‘ aliiaiioi* w idi h'raiioe, tlurini': dn* aihniuir.t rat ion and oonrorm-
ahly (o tho summ' tion of \VaJrni**lon, a ( ‘hi»d’ Mayi (rail* as up
rii.dil as any t«» whoui the ‘oiidanee of national atlaii’s was t*vi*r
ontiar fed. and la relade/j to rneao'tMinml that wor(* :r .innot! iindt*r
eiroiim tame and from niofiir- emim-ndy i*:deulajetl (o remh'P tlu'in
.^aered and inviolahlr: a mo.a in (niedi e e\amplo. I'’r(»i}i (In* larp‘sl
(o tin* Hj.'dh' (, whtuher nndrr nadonai <ir nmniidpal or//ani/.a( ions,
eijfnmimit i(v . ari* on erideal iieeasitin . too [jrom* (o di'^r’o^uril (ihli-
48() AMKUit’AS insnaa‘‘Ai. v- a \ru^s.
ii'iiiions tlu‘ imn |u*rfnria:iU‘'t* »>{ -fi if *»!’ m!?; r
wise i‘nrriv-.|)(>inl iiar, na tl»‘i‘ne‘U hMiea .?'** • i>» ;
ihv roiicei'iis nl' ‘maui.liiul . e* fu.m {,-! .Ir
.srrilu‘il iwv iiuu’i'n\rr tiiiaiu t fhi* «' t.t' is*'*! |»'’ls ^ ‘*1 «*at'
menl :i palic^y \\hi«'U if i U> iu* ie*pt*'l u 41 jmm. i- .t: sUn
4'lu* piirtiujL^ shu nf \\ a-hnirf**!. ii-v»‘r !•> ^piif uiu’ «iun
{<) slaiitl llpau foreieai yi'MifUt! ihmii**?) ^-nf 44 tarr i
ill itself, Mierml ou ut u laui’r ,ia»l ha , l A u fra f. uuk
ino th*ep in till* luMrt - an«l nhii^i . ui unr p$H»pK' !«* h-ir’'n»Mi .*r
tliM’i'iLrardtML A nan’r an pisitniN and iM^ri* i^du^h* r au *• hr
to (adthato, with i»nr hi“'t ahda\., fra'udl\ atid lihri if iri if-MU.
hetwiani nnr re prrtivr (‘nuntrir wUm r p.difi ul .-.ra.lnaai r u
diilVreiit fiaitn (hut nf tin* vr f t)i tla* v-miM ali i til uh«» 4' 'hfia, ? .
favor ."Unh a rtmr r. Th^ar hau‘ I'n-n. n : ftn*-, Inn* vdir?i fpr*
maiatnriaunn <»r imh ndaii^ai nujfn! vm-I! hiu h»' n fi|u,H
a.s hopnlf s. t )nr forrihlr ,i-p;ii' *f i^ui fr«ao. rhi* St*a!^ I i^*nifrv,
with the iin’ideiil td’ a ou*n ^^rar v.ar r- n d aJ .ai h.dh
j.ith‘s fott {icn*i‘ {u ill* rr:r olit'd uifh and v^hadi *aai\ t u j. and ha
{fUifltt* t’hani’t*. laitild rradiral*-. 11;.- tdi»' ! e. n
(‘oimtrit* for tm \rar-« affrr tiu' iTanjoi a am i.f **nj tudrOM i^dr i.,a%
pnrliap - nafnrally, hnf rrlfauil^ r ad^ a a m af* S . Wi m! ' > h
il! adapftMl to appra t* f hn r a pri :f a* . If \ .ad; h unfj -.'addr
Ilian uttuld iia\r niarloal a f af*- t*f a. f u.d .■ ai , a lad fjt-d,
nor u<a'f* any po iti\r atfmipi sjiadr h\ fti.an i‘i:faf,ii f*» i.-alanu
o\er tr* tin* sai\ orriLnif y of hn h wr Itad diii' f.a hri, r j f.* a.,
al hard. Inn* di po itaai appraiod a. }jm id** and Ifi a.r>n»’' unii
wort* a - opprrs iu* a ih'-;. ho! riri !>««•!., 1|. ..uo' n,
Wi'l’i' douhtlr jiu falo'U .«’• to f.n f uid in .an Uihapna rli.io t«f
(Itnlii: hnt inaKin:^ r\ri \ aihr^wun o f.i! p» id - rii>n <»| lli; h-nd
\st* ui*rr yi*f uan aiifrtl m i difn*' a ro* dni i.-raid fhr »a»ndn>“f
of file lhatiali t in\ eriuornt fov,„ud it dman;: ?h« uindr uf fhaf
period a - alikt* arropant and nnjn f.
In n
to the ai',
err
iw* rfiar.i* i
n*r of hi
'1 e.ioi
r fhr
IS- r, rl *
dnrinp
lliiH 1
aeriod of
titi!'
naSi*.nal h
■' i u o 1 1 d n
*n and
;dhd
hat
lipht 1
ill llel'elirr’. ot o|
onn ^
tn ann.n*‘ e
. , \..n
- of i. i.‘
pan
In- laru
for a r
ea on
dart’d jm I
r Lrl. W
a. ioisjd,,,
li, H.u<.
df-n
i . i ill
their p
at f ii’ul
ar fneud
V
nir-1 Olp In-]
diap all
»|H“ r *•
p!.d
di-nonn*Td her ronduii and if fhr;. dithavd af all .*rh»n ap..n
tin* stilijeof n«di dUh-rian .* Irlafrd ^uh fo thr hr I h » fho.i .»f
:lrJ;lU{’t*. l>ul till happy uhauuuifv aituMtij,*' onr Ir tdao*' >1 ifr turu
and aiiioiip fho r u ho vonr inllnm.rtl lo f!i« u Mp-u •»}* a an
forfnnafidy luokm up hy thr war hrfwrrii MapPu.d ,,, \ \ uid
hy the train a«dion to whirh it paw* ri **. I’h.' id!.-: p»»'-i\ l.rhar
* MH. i\, i, -n:,.
AUTOBIOGRAPHY OP MARTIN" VAN B'UREN'. 487
that period our best friend, alleging that we submitted volun-
tarily to practices and pretensions on the part of her enemy which
were injurious to her, set up like pretensions in her oAvn behalf,
and perpetrated outrages against us but little, if anything, less
injurious than those of Great Britain.
So far from uniting as a band of brothers in resistance to these
aggressions and to the pretenses by which they were attempted to
be justified — ^both alike iniquitous — as it became an independent
Nation to do, our public men allowed themselves to be involved in
discussions in respect to the degrees and purposes of the hostility
of the belligerents respectively, and our public functionaries, too,
instead of presenting a united front against both and meeting every
hostile movement, whether proceeding from France or England,
with equal alacrity, wasted their time and exhausted their powers
in a similar dispute as to which was the worst enemy of the two,
and in reciprocal and bitter denunciations of each other for im-
puted subserviency to one or the other of the oppressors of their
Country. The feelings by which they were infiuenced were soon
communicated to the masses and the Country divided, according
to our own accounts, into French Jacobins and English Tories,
^^nulst the public men and the people of the United States were
employing themselves in these disgraceful wrangles enormous depre-
dations were committed uiion our commerce and obstructions thrown
in the way of our infant marine, by both England and France, thro’
Avliich the Country was impoverished and that important interest,
which in after time did so much to restore our character and to ad-
vance our fame, was brought to the brink of destruction. These
aggressions on our rights and this mode of treating them con-
tinued, with but slight interruptions, until the war of 1812 with
Great Britain. The extent to which the state of things I have
sketched served to impede our advance to that rank in the family of
Nations to which we were well entitled, and to which we have at
last attained, may be readily conceived. The injurious consequences
to our means of defence, great as they were, in point of importance
fell far short of those inflicted upon our character as an inde-
pendent people. The glories of the Eevolution were dimmed by the
ignominious recriminations of the period that followed, in which
the brave men who had achieved them were held up to the world,
in pictures drawn of each other, as minions and tools of foreign
powers fit only to be governed by foreign masters. If anything
were wanting to fix the odium of these mutual criminations and
recriminations it is furnished by the fact, now more than ever ap-
parent, that they "were in the main and substantially without founda-
tion. Those, who, with Patrick Henry, in the early part of his
political career, regarded Great Britain as standing first in her
488
AM,KIM(!AN niSTOUU’Aii ASSOCl ATUhN ,
ilostililv to Hs, won* doubt-loss iiiort* or loss ilh>|io>od lo palliiito
tho ooudiiot- oT Fraiioo aud to look to tlu* lorinor powt'r as |Uo priii
(•ij)al souna* of our ditlioullios, aiul so /vVr Of/’.vu; but tlu's* obulli-
lions of ))assion, ilio (‘(b'cts {>r monii‘ntarv oxoitriumt , \mm*o not
such (‘xhibitions of publio oi* pi*i\ati‘ kit ti> i)i‘
nnido fho foundation of so i^ravo imputations and tin* sui)M‘(|iu‘nl
jniblu'ations of tho. privato [lapors oi' tin* loatlin^' inon ol that pmiod
have shown how liitlo. (‘Isi* thoi’o was to justily (liosi* us^a'rsions aud
bow inuoh to disprovo t.h(*m.
Tho strono’Ost ])roof of an undiu* 1 iniaid- say an unpat riot if
loaninp; towards oil hor of tin* boUiii:(*i<‘n{s, whii-h tho;.f publioat itar;
haA'c* bron^iit to lii^hi., is tlu* su^i*f •'tion ol a troaty ^vitb baudand
otronsivo and dofonsivo, nnuh* by Pifkoriuf' to Hamilttm in Maivk
ITbS, as a sl(‘p lu* was obviously [iroparod to takt* if Ilamiltou lunl
ap[>roV(‘,d of it, aud tin*. n‘ply of tlu* lattor in whioh lu- ay
I am ai^alnst uoiiw Uumfillatfty "min ivUiauff witli itrnai Paaluiu. li i*. tny
npinloii that her tiUrffsIs will iiisiin‘ ns Inn* mnpnrat inn In ihn t-\nMn ni hrr
jiuw'tn*, and that a ir<*aly will nni si'mi’i' iirr (’niilu*r, ou ihn nthnr hatnl a
Iroaly niipjht (‘Iitallich' us. ruhlif npiiiinti i;i imt pi'fparnij Um lu It wniiid
1U)( fail to l)l‘ rt'proSfUlfd as In tho in iriiirh tiuf t >i,hhh t i> t! :
(Ihvrii'il; * iiit‘ (It'sith'nii iini is that tU’nat Ihitain Un nh.Miad
In 1 (mIi,U‘ wllli hor .l^inish r hfO' piavors <’ontiM‘‘iiMn-;i{«* wnh <nfh a rran nam-ut .
as (‘xi.maif i(*s may rf^inlrf ami (hf )a’«ra’tv;s nl’ njiinsMn 1 i'f n.i r^Mii
ohjfftiou oil her part lo this plan, it wamld he mn,! pnli.\\ In iua’ tt» ■.eiul
to (his (’oUUtry a dt)/a*U iiipUeS, tn pursue the tlireiMinli. nl' llus -ns>TU
meld."
Yot with this strikini** illnstration of hi,, nrral pariiard\ toward ;
I^hl^'laud la‘foro us I do lud in (ho Imi t tloiibt that Ilaiuiloui woiibb
us I havt*. t*lsi*wlH*n* sai<b liavt* rfj»fl!f«l amt w i ied unfonudml pro
ti*nsions of that C’ountry, projmlirial to hts own, with ilu* aino
linunoss aud zoal that ho had boftire di -playod. The inotivf by
whioh lu* and inost. id’ his polilicat a oeiatt* wito inilurmaal wa.
ratlu*r to iiniiair tlu* powtu' of b'ranoi* (ban to imnea f that of (iroat
Hi'itaiiu by whioh potiiw tboy lbon‘ibl our .^al’ety uouM bo l)e^;i
promoU'd, d'bis was doubtloss a /?roat jui.takf but, it wa quito
ditrort'Ut. from oiu* that would lia\f Iml them to lako I be part ol
Kn;j,iaml in a (*ontt‘st with {lu'ii*o\\u (’ountrv. It wa\ in all pnib
ahlllty tliro^ tlio inllm*nor of tin* viow.. I lm\o imlioateil that bo
was broiio'bl lo tlu* jioint of ro ortiujLi; to so nnwiso a moa nre a an
allianoiv with b'nob.uid w!u*no\or publio opinion iniidd hau* iuMsuno
[)n*pari‘d to lolorato it,
Ihit ibi*. trm* oondition of tlu* i>ublio: mind upon tlu* point «d' whlfli
I spoak. was distinotly shown by tho ohuuor ralsml atyain t iifb a
pi*oj(*ol whtm its (‘xistmioi* was only su |H*ftf(b and IIami!(«in' t*mi‘
NdlU. Woi'Kh t>r UHlliUtoii. \ i, ji. aTH.
Ar'nuinuiKAiMn ni \\\kv\\ v\\ nrui.\.
4 Ml
(4* tluit ruiidit inn hy his pain , tn uuani him rl f aisun t t!m uijunnu .
uf it < InhiU’' km^wn nr thnunut lliai hr liUii iirrn .i p;ut\ it.
Lnolviiiii' at I hr -r r\rr to hr rrn’rrttrd t ran an imr . rrli»» prrii\r(v
hv t hr liiz'hl < >f suhM'ijiiriU tlrvt'k jpuirnt and «»{ irtlrfMrui unriiiiraMl
l)V ihr hittrr prrj mliri*. , nf ihr day, N\r ranrmt hrlp altlm’ flirir
wrrr uithniit «[ur fion prndiar faultN in h«‘ r4t!it!rmir*d nn Ixah
sid(‘- , rnn:'idri’ihi’' (hrm in a hndy a - aumun tin* unr t » r. t<i
\vhi(‘h wr Innr r\rr hnai rXpnrd nf tlu* pual td pait\, imm
\vhn: i‘ nrrasinnul iutrinprratt' wnrkiiijt.*; im irta* t imnlry ran r\prn
io hi* (‘Xrm)»trd.
U was nnt until aftrr tlu* prarr with Ivmdand in 1^1:* that titr
maiia ‘irinriit nf pnhlir alFai!' in thi i'nnulr\ was irlir\tnl Imin tUr
;nh rr.sr I’ll’rrt td* lla* r di rrpnlrdih a Itn r.it mn . lUnujir lir* w at
thru just trrminatt'd iinpulalmi] nf iil< rr\irn*'\ m a Inirinn pM.vri,
nf a dr drr In wai’ with h’u'dand m rMnfniiniti it* fir* wall and
In pr<itnntr fhr intrrr f ♦ d’ kdaHt.s wuh p.i! d, » f h*
rllri'nir. cd* thrii' n\vn { h f\ rnnnnit , unn an nn r** njt- d fn 1“
had iurrra rd in \ inirnr.-, hk.* nthf-r vi sn:; in , (h'-ri-A
|)a;'t impunity, ami madr ilrdr la t :ip[nMianr. ;r a t ih- t . U
prcH’rtHliiuu: (d’ t hr Harlfni d t ^ m\ mif i»»n. 1 1 “^ ••{ fh.- I n *
Stiitr , a- ‘»nn a. tlim I'.urim !*>»' v j. di . • i a fkr n
hii^im* (n : it in jndinurnt upnn ilr- rliar.s f, ! .n n... .
and npmi ihr rcunhlrt uf dir pnht 1 * a! l>\ r. S . ' i t h^ i, kid k.--n
rnimlrnaurrd, d'hr\ pinmunri'd I k*- i‘nijra t j -n dnk
(la‘ latirr nmirr thr Isin nl p.iMir nptnmu j . ra.< *. ;. 5 .. ni > a ii
driiri*. d'lir . tadrtM'r \\ a a nr kirnn nur and > .n d . a ..- t i .•
M*f\r; liav mnt’i\ if nnt it- jn t i-a i k- ins ni . i: la j. t.i ad^.-r
(in^ (n lid . flat nf pnhlir npiniMU v’ r a- dsh ■s-'d h>, tk*,” f ka d
is( , thmiMdvr , A ni'raf parti., unrui w i. ilr'-
rs{ ahli-limi*nt t>r 1 ht‘ t tn\ rrmurnt , r, a . m a ai tra . . »d a, md hi n
nwurnu riit, frurvrr ntidr.iwn frum tii*' | ku fj. Id. t tpp**nr?n
(d da* driiMMaMf ii’ pait \ td thr t uanlii, Lai ' i>.‘u .ms,- is jt !uaj*»d,
rnn Vnkrd nmirr t hr liamr uf frd« f ,d I -I 'sLL. ux , t s;«
Amrriramr .m ^ ,d /n Luf a ;afdirl arr i,f . I f .r s.m' I. , -S , i r d „ (
purr and . itnplr, lia md hrm u’nlur«-d i:p'»Ji L*, upa >- tk s r :i
y(*ars. dhis aidrmn jmlnjMi’nt nf fir* t taadm hi h* -ti /
in its {dlrc’t.N a it Wsi ju t. U r hrm , r*. i , * .n.-a , ? t,
l>lil ur haw* tint hf'rii r-\pn'‘d to amilar pi t f • »- * .r tf. ;tof of
da* nppn’ if inn (o f ht* Ailmini t rat am. W r h h a , i d ifi a df ^r s, h
hVanrr, with Kiudaml ami wit!> nthrr NatiMi. , " l.rrk« k.-. n
disrii :r»l with thr puhlirit^ rha IMrS-i | f r td jr ? t,a,| -r.
havn ili tlrrrd anmnn nnr rl\*- in ir pts f t»^ t*-- k f ^ « , f i n
i dir m, and t hr \ ha 'i r Lrt- j j » 1 1 pn > - d n I J » . » »i d n * • ? . t I h '.ill
by the peace of 1783 with Great Britain Ave did not succeed in
securing her good will. It is impossible to review the character
of our relations between that event and the war of 1812 without
becoming sensible of the great extent to which the prejudices en-
gendered by the Eevolution liad retained their bitterness and pre-
vented the just influence of our conduct in that struggle in extort-
ing her respect towards us as a nation. She taunted us with our
weakness, railed at onr fir-built frigates, lightly estimated our
prowess and our resources and despised our reiterated declarations
of a necessity and a determination to resort to arms for a redress of
wrongs. Those who are familiar Avith the events of tliat period
know that this is not an exaggerated description of the then ac-
tual state of things. It became one too humiliating to be longer
borne by a people who cherished a proper self respect and drove
us to a declaration of war before ayc had completed our prepara-
tions. Great Britain embarked in it under an exulting sense of
the disparity, favorable to her, betAveen the contest then before
her and that by which our independence had been rescued from
her grasp, when she was under the necessity of transporting large
armies to a distant shore and to support them there for a period
as indefinite as that required not only to subdue but also to secure
continued dominion OA^er a brave people distributed over thirteen
States and animated by an almost universal determination to be
free. Chastisement, not conquest was noAv the object, and that could
be abundantly accomplished by sweeping our commerce from the
ocean, by the annihilation of our comparatteely feeble naA^y and
by setting the torch to a feAv of our principal towns. Of her ability
to inflict these injuries with comparatively little loss to herself
she did not entertain the slightest doubt; perhaps no Government
ever entered upon a similar undertaking with more unbounded as-
surance. Of the military operations of that war it is siilBcient for
the purpose for which the subject is introduced to say that the}^
terminated in the disappointment of her confident expectations. The
results of the battles that were fought, on sea and land, so far from
furnishing matter of satisfaction and exultation to the Goveiii-
ment and people of England filled them with amazement not iinac-
AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF MARTIN VAN BUEEN.
491
companied by at least some degi’ee of apprehension in regal’d to the
future. She had driven us to the display of skill and capacities
for naval warfare of which we were ourselves scarcely conscious
and which plainly foreboded danger to that dominion of the seas
on which she had so long and with so much reason prided herself.
She was too sagacious to remain insensible to the iiossible con-
sequences of forcing a people like that with Avhich she found her-
self thus involved — a people by which so much had been done in
so short a period, and whose persevering spirit she became inclined
to measure by her own — to a further and accelerated development
of its resources and its powers.
Peace was concluded upon terms neither humiliating nor dis-
creditable to either nation, a peace which promised far more ad-
A’antages to both than a further prosecution of the war. The Mother
Country at length recognized her kind)’ed, and feelings long dor-
mant were warmed into action by a lively admiration of the gal-
lantry which had been displayed by her stubborn offspring. A new
era in the character of our international relations was inaugurated.
Eespect, high and well deserved, was substituted for feelings which
had savoured too much of contempt to breed, in return, any other
than those of hatred. On our side antipathies were ameliorated by
the consciousness of having forced our late and unnatural enemy at
least to think better of us and by the confident anticipation that
she would, in future, treat us with the consideration to which we
felt ourselves entitled. We could therefore better afford and were
in better mood to judge her future course with less unfavourable pre-
dispositions, and for nearly half a century which has elapsed since
that clay the temper of the English mind and the conduct of Eng-
land in respect to the people of the United States have been weighed
by us in different scales. The progress of conciliation has not been,
perhaps, as rapid as could have, been desired, but John Bull, altho’
proverbially slow, is at the same time sure, and we have doubtless
grown more punctilious as we have gi’own older and stronger, but
our intercourse, since the war, has been full of occurrences indica-
tive of the nascent improvement in the reciprocal feelings of the
two Countries. The liberal mews expressed to me twenty seven
years ago, in behalf of Lord Grey’s Administration, the strongest
and purest whig ministry that England had seen for fifty years,
upon the subject of impressment, were significant of a determination
to remove, to the g’eatcst practicable extent, all irritating questions
in our public relations and the voluntary abandonment by the Ad-
ministration of Lord Derby — one which in former days would have
been denominated Tiigh tory ^ — of the right of search shows ■with
equal clearness that the same disposition not only still exists but
j
I
not do to preserve our friendship and it should be the earnest desire
of eveiy well wisher to his Country among us that we should not
be backward in reciprocating this disposition to the fullest extent/
I cannot refrain from expressing at this place (and in this fonn),
nearly a year a^fter the text was written the satisfaction I have de-
rived from seeing in the course pursued by so influential a paper as
the London Times in respect to and against the efforts of the aboli-
tionists to dissolve our blessed Union, the strongest proof of the
sure progress in England of the sentiments I have been pressing
upon the favorable consideration of my countrymen. The assur-
ance coming from so imposing a quarter, that the interest of Great
Britain in the United States is to England second only in impor-
tance to our own, and that for the very reasons upon which I have
touched. These noble sentiments are rendered the more gratif^ung
and made more likely to be useful in consequence of the general and
to a great extent well founded belief here that this disturbing senti-
ment, after it had been reduced to a low ebb in this country had
been resuscitated and in a great degree strengthened by the coun-
tenance its members received at Exeter Hall
No intelligent and tolerably unprejudiced ximerican can be long-
in England without witnessing exhibitions of character and feelings
in all classes with which he will be pleased because of their recalling
similar traits among his own countrymen. Those whose contempla-
tion is engrossed with the pageantry inseparable from monarchical
and aristocratic institutions may be unable to comprehend this state-
ment, but it is nevertheless true. My memory is full freighted with
recollections of that description which go far to show an active sym-
pathy on many imj)ortant points between us devoted republicans and
those fast adherents of a Kingly Government. Of these it was my
intention to speak, but this subject has been already and in a manner,
unconsciously, so much extended that I must forbear. I saw many
things in England, in the organization of her Government, in the
classifications of society which that organization has produced and
in the disparity of personal privileges its members respectively enjoy,
3Sof
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I
AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF MARTIN VAN BUREN.
the establishment of which here I would deprecate with all uiy Iumi i
and resist by every possible means. I have a deep and abiding
of the superiority of our own political institutions and of their socui
effects. But these, are questions, as I have already said,^ whiclu upon
our own principles, each nation has the right to determine for itscd .
They do not complain when we express our opinions upon these', sub-
jects abroad with the freedom with which we treat theiu at honuv
because they are not thin-skinned and no man whoso opinions arc ol.
any consequence will exx)ress them officiously or for the purpose ol
annoyance. As a people, taking them all and in all, it cauuot
denied that they possess, in a very eminent degree, the cjualitios which
conduce to individual respectability and usefulness and which (consti-
tute the elements of a powerful and magnanimous nation. It is for
this, amojig many reasons, the interest of the United States to culti-
vate the most liberal and friendly relations with them and tlu^ duty
of those who are, from time to time, entrusted with the managciucni.
of OUT external concerns, to make it their business to promoter tlia/,
object by all -the means in their power that may consist wilh jiisl iet*
and with national honor.
®This it will be easier to effect in the future than it has b(‘(»u iu lh(‘
past. Distrust of the friendliness of England, with the, pr(‘judic(‘s
natural to that fettling’, have constituted from the beginning* a proini-
nent and distinguishing trait of the old-republican, now dcmocral ii’
party. To arrest, present and to guard against future violaiions of
the Federal Constitution, to /secure to the people the full (‘njoynuud
of the republican institutions contemplated by that instniuKud: aud
to protect the Country against the evils that were apprcdnuidcal from
an undue partiality for England were the principal objc.cts dcsiguccl
to be accomplished by its formation, and the distrust and prcjudici' to
which I have referred retained their prominence aud inflmuuav in llu'
action of that party until the War of 1812. That war was its act . It s
political opponents had neither part nor lot in declaring or in sup-^
porting it. The peace of 1815 was also its measure. It was in its
bosoin, and there alone, that a change of feeling was lu'.ccssaiy to
establish friendship between the two Countries. The (vil’ccls pr(')iliir(M|
by the peace and the altered disposition of the GoverniiKUit and [icojih*
of England towards us which I have described have be('n to nu'. a sulr
ject of deep interest and gratifying observation. What T say of ilu*
political organization in which I have been reared and wliich 1ms
never ceased to be with me an object of love and admiration doubt less
will be received by the general reader grmo salis: I expoed; no
less. ^
‘’MS. Book V, p. 1,
494
AMKUK'AX I ! IS n HUt '.\l , ASS( K UATIOH.
11 UH' (11(1 puny, wiumikt known by or bv 4
prcscMit. iniiun, hns not linen nl.le I., liv,. „p (iivino inbinctiom
to love our nei-!,i„,„r ;,s oiiivelv.v o,- (,, ,|„ ^
have (belli ,b. mUo ns, it itiay I tliiiik will, (nilb, bo said to have
desired mvanahly and sineerely I,, treat all nations as thev troai-
ns. 'I'liat. was a sliibliolet li ol' its forei.n,, organiatW
and I (liiak has always since d,-.(ingi,isl,ed it. The old federal
inirty ebargtal it will, partiality to K,-anee and Clio charge was re-
torted in respect to I’ederal prelViviiee for England. It is* now
jierhaps (no late to determine ibat i-s,ie even if it were nocesisary
As far as (he smise of (he Cmmt rv is eonelusiv,-. evidence of the truth
i< luLs (ItM’itlfd a.iriiin ( tlir riMli‘r;tl parly.
'I'he application of the principle of reeip,-oeity i,, the commercial
infereoiir.M' of nations, wineli originated with Mr. Joll'crson, was
supported by Mr. Madison at <!>'* '■'''iiiueneeineiit of oiir present' Gov-
ernnieiil and has t lienee forward eon: I it ii|e,| an article in the creed
<.f the fiolilieal parly of wliieli they were leaders, furnishes a prac-
tical illnslration of tiieir view and perl'erenees in regard to inter-
national relations, 'riie ivhisaiion of prejiidiec's against Emdand
and a cordial n-eiproeation id’ e\eiy liberal measure she. might adopt
beeame accordingly a duty isbieb they perforiia'd dioroiiglily tho’
soiiiewlial tardily as ilndr di po if ion and diUeriniiuition to do in the
end what was napiiivd of them were eio; ely ueeninpiiniod by caution
nad p<*rlKips flojLvp'd l»v di iru L
ntMMv- ion in pt»ui*r n\' thr ivpublican parly nl; a period when
Uunr iinvjudiiH-s iMvidaud wiTr ih** siron«i:e.st, and their pos-
session of il liy luiy^r it f.u- nunv than hall* a century, had
»ivnn in tSin.-h* pr«‘judirf«. tUr upp^araiur of a national sentiment
uinl il has iiia*n anni in‘x wnnr'. thr r.\(t*ul (o whicli the conceded
(‘xistiUK’n <d Ihi.-'- ltM‘lin*c hit 4“ru‘d as a lure (o aspiring politicians,
and parliriilarly in tho r* u!u» havt* had Ihiur tyi^s upon the Presi-
detiry, (lanpllug (hriu to rtdv f‘j ap|a‘t»priale its influence by j^rofes-
sinns of prruliar .^rn ihilil v uii tlu* suhjeri of (lu» injustice wc have
snlleriMl fnun Kiiyland. dlmt ^anir in pnlil ir.s has heen, perhaps not
(*.\'{dtisi\ ely hnl ihielly, played In ertillruicn a principal part of
\vho.--(* prin ituiN lunl hetni ^pent in ih(‘ ranks of tlic old federal
part y, Imt whtu m \er( lielr'-s, run tdling (he ehsuuvs of success, deemed
il- indi.spi-n aide |o bring tluan-elvt-s into harmony with the demo-
iTutie >rntinuml. f»f the (’*aiiitiy in this regard. Mr. John Quincy
•Atlams was (ho first nf his vhns uh<j nnderlook to extract political
(upital fora Preddrntial rain a from I his inn tier, and his earliest
inn\eijH*n{, afli*r milrring upon hi.'-^ dniie as Si'crcdaiy of State, —
n po.<nl tlimi lonked upmi a^ a neee .sary -.(ep In (hat of President — was
to astouinl the Federal (.‘apit-nl with Ids licry denunciations of the
AUTOBTOGRAPHi^ OP AIARTIN VAN BUREN. 495
conduct of England towards these States. Altlio’ in the main an
upright Statesman, no man studied more closely than he the cur-
rents of political ophiion or was movQ willing to avail himself of
their influence. He was well aware of the strong prejudices against
his family that existed in the rank and file of the old republican
party and of the necessity of their amelioration, before his elevation
to the Presidency could be deemed practicable, and no less conscious
that this could not be effected thro’ common eiforts but only by those
of the boldest character adequate to command the attention of the
masses and to stir up and direct their passions. His Fourth of July
Oration at Washington, delivered by the leading Member of the
Cabinet during the first year of Mr. Monroe’s Presidency and con-
sidering the actual state of public feeling, he believed to be such an
effort. The scorn of propriety exhibited in this harangue in view
of the official position of tlie author and of the presence, as a part of
his audience, of the Diplomatic Corps, including the English Min-
ister, and the extreme violence with which he arraigned the conduct
of the English Government accomplished at least one of his objects —
that of creating a great sensation in this Country, which was, with
reason, believed to have exerted considerable influence on his ulti-
mate advancement to the summit of his ambition. His success gave
fascination to his example. Among the first to follow it was the
worthy and amiable gentleman Mr. Lewis Cass — ^in his early years
an ardent admirer of Mr. Adams, his family and their politics, even
to mounting the black cockade, if his old federal friends told the
truth of him at a time when they thought he was growing, as Hamil-
ton said of Jefferson, “too much in earnest in his republicanism.”
Long a resident of the far West, ^vhere ancient antipathies between
the two Countries have not equally felt the subduing influences of in-
creasing commerce and intercourse and where thej^ are yet supposed
to retain a portion of tlicir former violence, he allowed his sense of
fj)e injuries we have received from Great Britain and his consequent
denunciation of her to be inflamed in the ratio of the improvement
of his chances for the Presidency. His sensibilities upon this point
had become so sharpened and his expression of them so strong and
notorious as to convey the impression to some of his cotemporaries
of monomania, and not a few were, on that account solely, appre-
hensive of disturbing effects upon the existing relations between
the “^two Countries which might follow his selection as Secretary of
State by Mr. Buchanan. Aware of the existence and spread of this
idea I requested my friend Mr. Alexander Duncan, who Avas desirous
that I should meet the English Envoy, Lord iSFapier, at his house on
his first arrival in this Country, to call the attention of the latter
‘^MS. V, p. 6.
n
498 ameeica:n^ historical association.
more eagerness or with less prospect of success but which he once
dreamed of achieving by the manifestation of grief and rage, as
uncontrollable as they were sudden, excited in his breast by the
hostility of England towards the United States. An occasion for
his first appearance in this character was soon presented.
The British North American Colonies charged encroachment by
our fishermen upon waters from which it was claimed that they
were excluded by the Convention of 1800 between Great Britain
and the United States, and presented complaints to the Home Gov-
ernment. The Colonial Secretary issued a Circular in reply to their
memorial in which he intimated the intention of the Goveimment
to send out a naval force sufficient to compel the exclusion of the
American fishermen from the waters in question. This Circular,
on its publication in the Colonial newspapers, produced a great
ferment in the New England States, and, instead of pursuing the
usual course of a call upon the British Minister here for explana-
tions, Mr. Webster published in the newspapers also, a formal an-
nouncement from the Depaitoent of State, over which he presided,
under date of July 6, 1852, to the fishermen and all concerned, of
the designs of the British Government, with such comments as he
thought the occasion called for and which were calculated to in-
crease the excitement. A meeting was tliereupon called in the
neighbourhood of his residence, in Massachusetts, at which spirited
resolutions denouncing the course pursued by England were passed
and a delegation was appointed to meet Mr. Webster, on his ai*-
rival at Marshfield, where he was expected in a few days, to wel-
come him and to communicate with him on the subject of their
proceedings. On the 25tli of the same month he met that delegation
at his own house and made a speech to them from which the fol-
lowing are extracts:
Tbe fishermen [he said] mi?j:lit be assured that their iuterests would not he
3ieglected by the Government. They shall be protected in all their rights of.
property and in all the rights of occupation. To use a Marblehead phrase
they shall be protected “hook and line — hoh and sinker ” — and why should they
iiotV They employ a vast number; many of our people are engaged in Hint
vocation. There are perhaps among you some who have been on the Grand
Banks for ten successive years and there hung on to the ropes in storm and
wreck.
The most potent consegtiences are involved in this matter. Our fisheries
have been the very nurseries of our navy * * In the first place the sud-
den interruption of the pursuits of our “ citizens which had been carried on
more than thirty years that they have pursued the fishing in the same waters
and on the same coast, in which and along which notice has now come that they
should he no longer allowed their privileges. Now Mils cannot be justified
without notice. A mere indulgence of too long continuance, even if the prlvi-
° MS. V, p. 10.
AUTOBIOGRAPHY OP MARTIH VAIST BURBH.
499
lege were an indulgence, cannot Be withdrawn at this season of the year, when
our people, according to their custom have engaged in the business, without
just and reasonable notice. I caunot but think tlie late despatches from the
Colonial office had not attracted to a sufficient degree the attention of the
principal Minister of the Crown; for I see matter in them quite inconsistent
with the arrangement made in 1845 by the Earl of Aberdeen and Eldward
Everett Then the Earl of Derby, the present Minister, was Colonial Secre-
taiy. It could not well have taken place without his knowledge, and, in fact,
without his concurrence and sanction. I cannot but think therefore that its
being overlooked is an inadvertence. The treaty of ISIS was made with the
Crown of England, If a fishing vessel is captured by one of her vessels of
war and brought in for adjudication, the Crown of England is answerable, and
then we know whom we have to deal with. But it is not to be expected that
the United States will submit their rights to be adjudicated upon by the petty
tribunals of the Provinces or that they will allow our vessels to be seized
by constables and other petty officers, and condemned by municipal courts of
Canada and New Poniidlaud, New Brunswick or Noval Scotia ! No, No, No !
Upon its appearanco in England the British Annual Register, in
the moderate and guarded language common to that journal accom-
panied the publication of the preceding extract with the following
comments, to the force of which we avouIcI not find it easy to refuse
our assent:
This was, to say the least, very impriulent language to be held by a Minister
of State while negotiations wore pending for settling the dispute in an ami-
cable iiiaiiner. Happily no collision of any kind took place.
The proceeding on Mr. Webster’s part bore unmistakable marks
of a scene got up for effect ; nor was the public mind for a moment
in doubt either as to the fact that such was its true character or
ill regard to the particular effect aimed at. The success of this
stroke of policy, by means of which he hoped to enlist in his favor,
in the then approaching Presidential canvass, whatever of national
ill-will towards England there yet remained among us would, to
a considerable extent, depend upon the manner of its reception in
that Country. If her public men had allowed themselves to become
greatly excited by the challenge he had with so little ceremony and
so much peremptoriness thrown before her and had sent back an
equally belligerent missive against him and those he represented,
as weaker men might have done, Mr. Webster’s game would have
opened auspiciously and there is no saying to what height he might
not have been elevated in the leadership he coveted. But they, for-
tunately for the interests of both Countries, were men of sense and
had found and improi^ed ample occasions to make themselves ac-
quainted with Mr. Webster’s character as a public man. They had
seen him at the Court of their King and hobnobbed with him, also,
in social enjoyments to Avhicli neither were indifferent. Their lead-
ing men of business, who. from their natural acuteness and their
m
I
A.MKU1(‘A\ UI>r‘»KU‘\K A>--* m *i \’ru > N ,
P
500
uiitM jiia Ilotl oppnii unit it's tn iTAin t*\p*‘!'ii‘n»*r jilMiiiril Oy an ox-
Itui ivt' inturfiJiin-f with all itaiitiU', lnwr v tahh In-O a utuid wuln
r(‘j>utatinn hu’ . aii’a^ut \ aial < In'aTiinu’ut , h;nl laKru hi prtilessionjil
athiri* in ru^pia-t in tran :na‘nut paiil\ ptihlir anO partly pi’ivata,
anO ni’ nruat iiupnrt aiaan ami thrir Mini tsm hail rarrunl nu \\a‘i<j!;hi,y
iat inm. with him anti him hma’. It wntthl, uu»h*r stU‘K
fiiaatm lanur , ha\t* ht‘‘ ii traiun* ii t!ii*y haO lailiul (hur-
nu^hly In inrnrm tluau rUf ih hi rharartn* am! »!i pt» ititiii;;, his
• am! hi Wfalvur r I hrv h:i'l n>tt *» lua'h rtch tlaarhuty,
Thrir Mini ivv- uiah r. !iHni him pfi i»*t1i\ ainl ttnih uu nllriuH* at
thr ill hii'h hi* lia.j aiihih.*«‘'i 1 hi‘\ pLi* »'0 thi* siuir run-
.trm’ti<»n upnn In t •»*lln.'«‘!’i-n! prrrh {“ hi. Mu hti»-hl nri;^hhuurs
(hat wa r»‘:s«lils phu'.'O npuu n hrif {!iaf iO a a wrak oiu^
a . wr Imrw it \n in*, fn pi* jiaiha O atiO pr»'*'ipif at** ilruinrrats
intn hi upptut l“r thr Ih** 'thuir \ ; a p«» t ‘ifO him ahnva
all ntht-r hi iii’.’Upv Inr th*". fiaO :th»MU^ wifit him whih' lia
suh; ( a (it la ! i V uirhh'il ft pnri'i » hii? f la 't, h:nl mU''!: r!l I’r-pri’i,
I tnav uril a»hl tn«» iiUU’h r*- p**' t t‘'j ih<* t iiunti v^ fu play inin his
haml - h\ inahimr ihrm iAw a p.uf\ in t hr ui 0ir4- in whirh thi‘ir
rcHiprrat itm wa inmtrh, an»l thri^ thri.-hn’r allnunl thi thin* Up
of ihr Srt rr(ar\ of Statr fn p|\
Ihn ihi* hamh !i [nr , arfiat*' malrr !• r*- pnn OnlUy auh iu ihs
u mil anti rrnlitahlr tranOtt hu'warO rhar.n-b’i . pohr u it hout- hesi-
tation or rr I'VW aii'l paintrl t hr Iran o liots hi if tinr f’nhii*^. as a
T;/ r^,■, , - 1 rn* k fnr pof II io 1 1 ritV-a . 'Via rrprr ml at ton frntu
tin* olhrr air, aomrfihm v- it h t‘'r rni : r'* m*; mnar. 1 1 itr ly proillirril
on thi . nf roui { n! »hr0 i h'*‘ W !r » Ir .O : H -l t I'u rlrinmt ,, and
wiirii rrO!»anl 'r! rt! at all. it i fn ’ to! ;l"aih pnloai ot a tht‘ort‘a"
ion of Mj. \\ rh trr' '*!«-*h af t -l .h- r” ]>«'r, h, I iir ft uit in tlli‘
Ih’r f ir ! I : i ! ran\ a , td hi aul i h.mri h ♦-! »n! n I mn a nO o f hirri{Ually
ihidrii and !';f Imal rhaiifr fd pn it mn nn tie l i’.r «|nr .(n»n, U' it was
prr taih'd at tlir tinea !*oi!i fa»wmrnt mdirafinp an i*<'ntU‘anrr of
the I’ral riaaiartri and A' pn itaai nf mir pmplr. v,rr«* witiir tsl in
l!ir Vnir fi*. rn if fir* \ itaf d t k *• ! S rf i f :nn n! hi p-UtV V*d;lifh ffh
IowimI to!* thi* lanrUiat 'fi n| a Ih* aL-i.t d ‘ind’dafr. and whirh
WlUi* thu du'dril: '^rnff, IriP flliainrr, \\‘\ Wrhlrr. M.
WLa. :a i.m,! r ):..WK.a, O., t’
CITAin'KK' XXXIV.
Few of onr public men were more identilietb in (lie. enrlicM* pmMods
of his i)ul)lic life wiili tlu*. naliomii restmlnumls lowai'ds hnij^iand
than Mr. Clay, or did more to fasten them in ihi^ popular lu'arl.
commenced his career in the Federal ( Joviuamuml in the Semate of
the United States in 1S()(>, was sul)se<iiien( ly (ransl’erred (o (lie. lloiisc'
of Kepresentatives and was several l imes Speakei* oT ( Ind. body. ( 'on-
tinning his public service in one or (he other posil.ion till llu' br(*ak-
ing out of the war between iis and Fngland in IHhi Im exeried gnait
inllucncc in prei)ai*ing (he public mind for (hal (‘vmil. and in pro-
ducing its declaration by Congress wi(h (iu^ sanei ion of (hi' Fxeeul ive.
In these preliminary s(‘eues, in his siipporl. of (he cause of his
country during (he progiH'ss of (ht‘. wai' and in (lie iifgodalion (d‘
the peace that followeil it. Mi*, (day passi'd by far (In' briglde.sl peri
ods of his j)n!)lic life. His \'t'hi‘menl dciniiicial ions of r)ri(i:h ag
gression and of those, among ns who would iiave exlimnali'd (iit*m
and his eio({uent apjieals to his i‘oun(i'ymeu (o prove (hem rives
equal to tlie cxigeneii's of the. crisis served lo slimulale (hr rrriing-
of which we ai'i* siaadving, ami with which lu* was s(il| more (lioi*
oughly assoctiali'd by his residence* in the palriode Stale of Krulnrhy.
among whoso heroic e.i(izt*ns (ht‘. juslillers and l upporlcrs of (hi* war
found a cordial sympatliy. But after (hi* (’hangr in hi:-; poliiie’al
position, wliicli t.ook i‘oot a( (he peaee. and was rrgulaidy progrrs ive
until he hee.aiiH'. tlie favUc. id’ (he siii’cessors <d* (dd federal
ism, appeals to (hat antipathy towards lOnglaiid which he had
heljX'd i.o plant so deeply in (he hri'ast.s of his fellow eilizens would
have been awkward and out of phiei* (o say notliing of otlu*r and
higher moti Vi'S which 1 am willing (o heiieve iudm'ril him (o ah;.(ain
from (hem. .In one instance. whi(‘h was (he only one I ran call (o
juind and in itself (rivial and only gootl naturedly mi::<‘hir\ on.:, hr
seemed inidined t.o try a small |)ut! upon (he idd .^Iring lb*- (‘h'climi
eering pnrjioses. Afi.i'r my re(.U)*n (o Whishington from (In* hhigli h
mission, our (irst meet ing ix’curri'il in pul)lie in (hr Ilall id’ (hr Ibqu’r
seiitatives under e.ireumstanees whirli will bi* iu'reafter noticed, and
was niarki'.d by ver,^ hearty salulalions on his pari. On li'aN'ing me
he retunu'd to llu' Si'inde Cliauiln'r and, throwing hiinsrlf iii(o (he
tkbate. wliieli liappeni'd io be going on willi his usual faeilily of
bringing out wluit lie wauletl to say, d pro-pos of anylliiug or not li-
no i
502
AMKUlt’AN’ HlS'r()f:lt‘AL A.-’-St K*lA'l‘lnN".
in^‘ wound uj) his o(lu‘r ohsto'vat inn>, omma* nv K* pioiinioh, this,
or sonu^lhioo* liht* i| : \\y tin* l»y(‘, I h:i\f ju-{ had (hr ph*;! uri- df
shaking’ hinids in (hr (dlua* witli diir la(t' Mini ter in k'nidaud,
Mr. ^hln Ihirrn, and was <j;Tat ifitMl in fiiul him in nXiadhan Imallh
and ai)p(‘nrino- in o'r(‘at advantam' fn hfs A’// »///*.// iir^s\:" a mxjil
humoivtl (lesrrii)(ion intrinltal Tor (hr wr^fion markid.
Ihit I liavo piM'htips a‘iv(*n («in niia h [ana* an*l iina* (<} (hi,; (npi\\
SuHiri' i(. Mnii (lu* I havr alhidi‘<l in ha-; Inam plavtal mit. din*
^oo(! scns('- and ixood iVtdina’ ‘d’ onr prtipb* will no lonmo’ (oha*ah\
a])]){‘als to ])n\jtid iri's w!ii«*h ( hr coiHluri til’ l)n(h ( 'mini rii" lia hown
(hat. both havr hupu’ siina* didmninrd in hury ainl la form-t,
d'lio vo(r of (h(‘ Smudr np<in my nomination ira\{' n r in two
(jnrsi.ions n])on which it lu'camr nrrr- aiw (hat 1 shotdd ilrridr a(
London, and in rrspi'ci In whi(*h diilVcml opinion wrrr rutcni aim’d
amon^* luy fricmds* d'lir (nxritrmrnt of thr nrra ii»n ami a naturalU
au^mcn((‘d unxiidy ahoul my polilira! forduif;. madi* (hf» r diil’rr
(mcrs nn)rr (*arn(‘sl and imporlunait* (!nin (hry miphi oihrmsi n ha\r
hern, ddu'v ridalnl (o (h(‘ prriotl fd’ in\ rrlnrn and thr mod r\pr
di(*nl conrsi‘ to h(* ;idoi)1rd to .s<*rnrr my ruinrt* a»Uanrrmrnt. Mr.
Midjanr, wlio, from tlu‘ rln.-t* inlimary that had hmp;r\i tnl hriwrrn
us ami the marktul .solicitude 1 had r lmun for hi • prumniinm was
('xtnisivcdy regarded as aimm^r the warmr t ami mo t laualial of my
friimds, look imnirdiattmind very drridrd pronud upon hoth poim .
lie thought that I <nipht (r) ndurn immrtliatrly that my frirnd
Mr. Dudley .shotdd hr a.-d<rd to rr- ipn hi . srat in thr Srnatr of thr
UnitrtI Slatt‘s to miahh* thr Lrpi: huurr (d’ New York, (lam in m‘s
siom to appoint me to Idr; place and that 1 ; Imuhl rnnn* to M'a hinp
ton hcfor(‘ lh(‘ adjouimmrnt and rhalhmm’ a nwirw of thr drri* ion
which had Ixam made hy that hoily. Mr. .Nhd.anr had, it apprarrih
applied to a numhi’r of my friianh to anriioji hi adviir, alfho' I
do not find hy my pa)>m-s nor have I any rrrollrrtion that hr pro
postal it dirtM’tiy to mt\ Several %d them ili rnted ratim tiv, and
SOUK* with manifr\s|, impalienrr, from dm rour r dm iiidirati^d,
and amonp tlam^ wm’e .M)mr who had sirdainr.l mr from tlu* hepin
ninp and in whost^ diseivticm I phn-rd dir hiphr t mididnmr. Prrs
Ident, Jaeksom after !(a\inp hrrn t u ir<‘ applif^d in hy Mr. MrLamn
.s(mt (or my friend Mr, ( amhrrItmLr w lio rommuniratrd dir rr nlt of
the interviiwv, with hi* own opiniom in tin* follow tup Irttrr:
WAMfiM.iuN, rsfh .hm, is;:*.’
My dkah Siu,
I was last rvrtiiaa til MrUanr’s, who told an* jhui hr had hit upMH thr \rr;
niaa n»r you, which, hr fart her . said, laid laMf {hr ajinruhafhai lU nil uiJh uhMio
li(‘ had eonfrrrcMl vl/. : for you to coior iium«-dhiirl> hack A ,>,,11,,. luu, sh.-
Seiuitt" «SiC. iS:c,, to all wddeh I siinidy answiM-cd that t uou ct*a« in'ri-r], 'rio ^
® MS. V. iK in.
AUTOBKuUtAPU V oK MAliTIN VAX UrUKX.
UiVA
1 liJid ;i nu'ssn.ico I'rtini llu’ In* wislu'd tn nim* im* .iu»l
IVhhkI (lull our frltMuI luul tM>nsultu«! wiih Dm* P,, uimI 1 pj-i^MiUM* it ua at
su.ut;'(‘sl loll (lull ht* soiu lAr um*. I (old him (ha( I ua*: <h*ru!»MM>
o\)]U)S(m1 1(j Mr. McLnnu’s plan t>r liaviiu*: \«ju Iturrs hoiiu* to |mn intu ilu* Sou. itr
at tluMail of ll\o si*ssioii Tor no our(hl> i>ur|HiM* uliirh ma\ hi* nni ton tuui". hot
h*r ill aiiotluu' way. 'Pla^ old .t^out Ionian Ntihl lluit \i»ii had nioro outiuunn
.siui.sc* and A^ood Jud.i^njHMd lhan any man in On* worlih and Unit ho would !ra\i* it
on I indy (<j your.s(‘U’.
My ])Iau is dial yim slandtl tiol urrivo till uIhuH (ho tinio t»t^ nlio third M-m-
day in May) or ruDu'r a wi'ok or two aHtu* tla* intH*tlny. of tin* lUdthnort* t *mu
vi'iillon. You will lu‘ tJcrootiMl liy (hoasands you will ho n*rol\od in trluuipti.
and you wili havo thi' (Inost opportunUy linaKlnuhh' to uddroN^ tin* ulmlo
Union — and al’lta* ail (la* .spooolios, roporls. Ao., Ao., havo boon inado In t’unrio . a
on Iho tarirr (ahoid wldoh wo shall do n<Mh{u^^) and iutiM*ar anmur^ u. u = a
nuHllaior on (lad |j:n‘a( A inoiia'idous <jia*stion. Poavo >our atl\ t*r‘HHrios tit -.truf
on llu*ir own (huu^ hill It) all lh(*ir tlirly honors oarry \our oU nh«»vo ihom
do not sully yoursoir by i*V(‘u ooininit in oonhiol witli fhom. d'his s*'hotuo t»t
i\h*Pan(*’s will n*inini! ytui dial small hoatls may aa/au;/r Imt ylw* im* a lar^p*
lu‘ad I’or JudKm(*n( ; If la* had luul (hat la* m*vor uouhl havo mrulo hl i I{opt»rt at
.snoli a orisis. W'hal t*ar(hly advHtd.‘U*i* you art* lo raiti h> mmpini^! d«»«
St'nah* to discuss a (|iU*sdon of ailJonruuu‘nt» I cauma po'oiihl> r«iiutd\o itu' I
look iijion tla* last ihrot* wooks of dio sos.slttn as nttddnc; tor th-hah' <»!■ ho
anydiiny; (hat can st*rvt* yon. No ?'.ot)d oan t'oiuc «»nf tu it h.inn uiie-hf \'!
drt‘.ss us on your n*(urn athlrcss iho Amcrioan PcMph* ihoioro ulouu di
(la‘n ht* a caialidalt*) and not (In* Sonatt* i»f da* P. .stuio ..
Sincorol.v \tiur.i
< ‘ t ' t * Mnia I s
'^riic opinions and advice* of Mr. ( *ainl)n*l«*iu’ uon* fully tsuicurroti
in liy Mr. Silas Wri.trttl idul dy St*ua(or .Marry, and tin* {.uit*r otuii
niuniiadod otluu* <i:ravt* and {’omdn ivt* con dtlt*rat it»n in ihnr
AllJio' I (luui a:av(‘ iMt*liani* t*u{iiv ermlit for Iminp nctnufotl hv
friendly* motivt^s 1 did not entertain a doubt a . to the mtur o propoi
for Hie to pursiu‘ in jn.stita* t<> iny position hotli in Ikn^^^lainl aiul at
home, \vhi(*li was (o .stay at- inv pe»- 1 until nieid*. opinnm had boon
rorim‘d in rcspt'cl. (o the comluct of my opptUH*id aiul dt pn tpom*
niy ndiirn to the l'nlt(‘d State's until after the I )enMH’rat it' Xatnuml
(Mnv(*njion, which, i(. was Nn]ipo eti, uoidd lake some ncliou up»m
tin* std)j(‘cf, luul Ixaui lu^hl. f so tlt*ridmh aint ctuniaunicatotl that
decision to my friends in my an aver to a let(i*r rcccivctl frtun flu*
thunoci’al ic eitizens of the city of New Vfmkd
'I'lie attention of my fric*nds, with few (*xcop{inu :. in cou ulermp
ilu*. hest modi* of nua’lin^ir tin* vinlonrt* nf mv c‘m‘mie ^ wa ilHootod
to tin* Pri'sideiit iai ollici*, and a {rnn«.( do uo ua. foniosl that
I sliouhl Ik* nouiinatocl for olection \n d. 1 n-roivod ovoml loiter,
to that ellVcj (UK* of wliioh na from my fiioud Whlbam h Matri,,^
(lK*n at. \\'a-liino-(on di oluirpdnn tin* dutii* of a Smator. d1u wa
iiot. (hi* tiisd tina* that tho ■ anio j-our o had boon prn|M> -d tu uu\
) iS.lj, l-rh, 'Jl, ill Oil' Van Hturu Curt-j f
i . r ! .*.
504
A M v)\\ u \\ N n 1 s'r( ni u ’ A I . assi u • i xtu » x .
aiul bettor justi(‘o will lu' dom^ to inv iv\)\\ to Mr. Mari'v's li'liri’
by goinjji: bm‘k to the (nutsaet ion (o whic'h 1 rft\‘r, by which means
also a littinij; opportunity will bt‘ jlre^•cntetl to explain anotla’r Tea
ture in my pui)ru‘ litV ahvady easually alhuled to in thoNC }»a,m‘.-.
and hitherto l)nt iinperlVi^t ly undi*r'^(o(HL
Mr. Tn/j!,‘haind appointtal by Pn^sitleiit flaek-oti a.s Si‘er<‘tary of
the. Treasury, was T am (iuiie eertain tin* only uuauhm' (d' his ('ah*
inet who entviHMl it with anything* lik(‘ a d(‘eidi‘d wi h in ri‘s|)ei‘t.
to the sm‘<‘ession. Nothin^’ was more imfonudml than tlu' im|>ri*S‘’
sion c‘xtensiv<‘ly imul(‘ upon tlu' (aihlie mind that the Ih-e .ideiif liad
fornHal Ids Cahiiu't with a view to proumti* a parlienlar (h'si/j^u
tipon this subjert hy whii'h to gratify eilhm* a prid’ermtee or an
jintipath^A Mr. (’alhoun, nn forlnnately for him tdf, ttnik up thi'
opposite i(I(‘a and ni'vm* alaindoneil it, vi*/: that hi . exelu- ion attd
my ad vaneenu'ut. wma* the ohjen-tN whieh tla* (ieiun-al iutendetl to
fiirllu'r. On (he other haml ('olntu‘1 Ijimton, i’laiminic to ..piadc
as oiU‘ who knows, say.s that <lo\\u to (he timi‘ of liis eleetion tlu'
(Jeneral lool<(‘(| to Mr. Oalhoun as hi> .sneee < 0 % Xothiim; t‘vm‘ eamt^
to my knowltMlec* t‘ith(*r t(j eonlirm i>r to di prtjve thi (attMiamt.
but if it w*as ('onun’t, it may safely lu' a'-snmed that \u) t'inann 4 ani‘e.
had oc’eiirred bet wiam (la‘ ptumal mentioned and that of tlu* seku*
tion of his Oahiiu*! of a nature to ehaiiye hi : view- upon that point.
Mr. lu^liani posse^stul a souml <li eriminatine: mind and had
furnished it. with useful knowhulo-t* especially applieahk' to many
of ilie hraiu’lu's of the puhlic M*rvict> et»mmilt('(l in hi siipeiwi i<m.
Althou^’h 1 h'. eannoi ht* said to ha\i' aetjiuretl a \ery marketl di:;..
t inet ion in tlu' pt'rfoiananct* of any <d' them durinn; tht* hort time
that In'*, was in olllei* his administration of (he important lk»part
ni(*ni. oV(‘r widadi he. presidiul was in a mmeral way cretlhahh* and
it was, wdthoiit. (jiie^sl i(»rn eondnetiMl hy him w ith a striet ri*‘ 4 'artl
to t-lj(‘ puhlie intm’est. I)t‘vo(cdly attached tti Mr. t’alhonin with
whom he inni lonc’ hcu’viul in (‘(m^Tc -, 1 h‘ w;m vm’v dc iri)us to
seeuri* his nominatitm at (lie tinu* wlnm (hmeral dackson iaa’ami^
tlu* choice of tlu* jirreat hotly of the n*ptihlic;m parly, inelmliti^ Mr.
Inf^lmtu's owii Statt* Ih‘nnsylvania. He ^.upported (he (rcncrars
eleetion with (idelity, hut, I have \\i) donht, with an unilindnislu'd
(le.siri* to s(*(* Mr. ('alhonn thus i*Ievated and with a tinu purpo.-e,
t.o (‘ontimu* to (*.X(*r( himself, within the limit * td' propriety, to prt>“-
)not(* Ids chances for (he sneeession. '.riie ^i^at iticat it>n td’ (hat “ wish
l)(*eaim‘ a passion willi him ami to it lie c\im(itallv : aci’iticcd (lie
inihu'ntiul ptjsition he had for many ycai',: tjtsaipicd in (he polities
of Pi'.nnsylvania. I lis nominat ion to t he 'I're;i itry Di-partmeiit was
*■ .MS. v, ji,
AlfTOUKHJKAIMl V (il>‘ MAltVlS VAX HrUKNX
505
Mm result of a unitrtl aiut unusually pn* -/luir t t‘> tla* Piv a
(UM\t from llm (li‘K‘i»:a( ion in fmiji that lit* par
took lai’^vly of Mr. ('alluainV .ar [uri«m • in naiard a urll Im (hr
Presitleni s tlest^n*ii^ as io mv nwn a pirati«ms. an«l fiiUm-nina-O
to do what Im without any «-ulpahIr failur*' in iint\, tn
Miwart hoth. To (his and. whilst idviiiy' na* no -au for p«a Mua!
ollVnse, he sot himsolf, quii^tly hut ri* olutrly, to watc*!} t!t»‘ la-i,*
numhs of ilu' Adminislration, to (rhstnui trp wlo-’u (n*
tondod in Uio obnoxious diroolitJiu ntul to u\oitl makum bun t
party to any art by wUioh ho iniyht bo mutairra oti oht u t!a-
should arrive to take (Jimn jL^round aixaitr t my mhanotanmf. d io
purpos(‘ and (hosi* fiH'liujiis W(‘rt' tiuuiifirdotl in u tlaiu aud wav .
()iu‘ ()f (luum and |)(n'haps (lu‘ lirst that ovt'ifod my attoiUmu, 1
tdiuauly sp(jkon (d‘ in rcinmn’tioii with Mh* appointmout of Swart
wout as ( 'ollta’hu' of th(‘ (’n.stonia at Iho port of Xrw \ ork. A .
all uu^asuros that did not. fall within thi^ pniwirw uf t!u . by plao
on bis part tlu*ro was a romarkai)lo lamriirroma* uf opinion iHUarru
us, whilst in ri*spt*o( to all tliat tlid >n fall oiir relation vr taiifdrd
mori' thoso td’ fair but do(‘idial o|ipoiumta lluui tlm r \'dia h u.^-akt
b('. ('Xj)(‘otod to (*xis( bidwiam loading' intaoi»«u . and i-o jiipu.n ai
an Adiniuist rat ion in tin* atioro . of wliirij ur Ita.l a i.imniou ;u
ton‘s(-. Kstimatiu/^ bis ooutluoi in Oiumri'fioa with }.»*» ad.tf lou
and schtMiios whuh s<Hin oamo to uortipy lann- ^pa» o . in mnd mind
and in tin* public pro .s 1 could not. of cour f% tin'r bt- ni a !o . ; in
r(‘^ard to liis Ihon^ldsor molivi’s.
It. was plain (bab lookin^^’ upon tw* a . a rival of Mr. t ‘.dhonn i^*r
the su(HH‘ssion, Im dt‘sirod to maintain witli mr, m the m
whic’h wax for tlio (inu* boiu^x won* placed, a kiml of anu*'.! nm
trality, oi* ra(lu*r an arndsti^’o ti» (ormiauto in u criiam and uo \o
rabli‘. nxsumpt ion of lurt ilitio,., ami 1 foil tm iti po unm to b ilk Uv
wishes, \b‘(. now \vlu*n (hi*n' can in* im po ibit- noUut' f..? ihc
siippr(*ssion or misrcpnra*nt at i<JU of fart . I soiemul\ drt huc that
ho was entirely mistaken in the ludiid" upon wtucU he a*-led. When
I w'ont to Mbishin-Lifton tin* ith*H td' becoming t b-ti. .be I. .u' u»
<*eHsor had never Het|turod the ..liitdite t Irjdpmemt m mv n-md If
Mm expiatiouey of takin/j^ Mi^ps to uitl in the ;e** ompi: in-, n? m| ok. u
ohjeet. hud heim at Mint, early period, brou-lu t^ ju; e..n oku usm, !
would unhesitat iubdy ha\e taken erourd j ih-m u, ne*»u
ibistent with the relation in which I In.-ked n[Hin no, rtf i fuel
ilia* with (lu* Prt* iiient atui ^ . aitojosln-r pnnuatuir m ir .|r>rt t««
my own intcre t . I will po fnrtijer .md a\ Miat if fhr r ipinir
h(*lwccri l!i(* Ihv. ident autl Mr. ( 'alhoiin. and fin* » mu .npe-nl
in the n*pnb!iran rank , had mu eak.-u |d.irr tiinr notild b iv
lieen one of oiij* coutomjairarie wlm would Imw twnv ir.oiih
50G
A M K li 1 C 'A N III .<1N ) iU { ' A L A SSi k i A'l* I < » X.
iiiyseif at*{(ifu‘si'i‘(l in (lir af(*t‘ssinn of tlu‘ hitirr to tin* Pn-siiltau-y
afler ilu' (‘Xl>iral ion of dfai^kvon's trian. My In'itio' - ul»si'
(liiaudy ]>lac<Hl in a iiiflVtvnt position on this ijtu* ti«>n \va- ontirrly
<nviii<r to (lu‘ I'vnnls which 1 havi* jn-i lanv referred tt> and
to t.hi‘ l)ilh‘r a(la<*ks (hat wei’e nia'h‘ iipi>n me nndt*r die :uiu‘ ei*
roneons impmssions hy whieli Mr. Insrham was iulhieueed. IjuI,
for dieiu PiTsidenf Jackson Wiuiltl, I am now (piitt* eonfuh'at, havv*
suffered the (|uestioii to pass (o i(s stddtuiieni wldnuU any inter
ferenee on liis i)ari. 1 am, at all e\tmt>, imtindy certain that hi*
did not arrive at (he i‘onelnsion to favor my election to tl\e Ihvsi
deu(‘V until sonu* tiun* after (he neeurrenetv’i to which I ha\c referred.
1 reuKunher well tlie first lime this subjiad was introductal hy him.
It was diirin<>* one of our rides over tin* t ieoraet^^'^ n llil!’., in tin*
nut limn of ISJO, some six or si'ven mold Us after tin* reci'ipt. of Mr.
(^{dluHufs letter to him aliout tlu* Si*minolo tranr-action, and after
tlu* Tt'h'fjni ph newspaper, which nas wcl] undcr.aood
to r(‘ile(‘i. the. ])olitic’al s(*ndmeids of (he latti*r, liail n^iven unmiMak
al)le indications of a npdnre. with and open oppo ition to the Ad-
ministration on the part of Mr. (’ulhouifs friends and hims*lf ilur-
ine; tluv ne.xt session of ('onici’ess. lie r.pokt* of the re>olulion he had
formed at the period of his ideidion to serve oidy one term and,
I'eferriu^ (o (he st‘emiu^ly insurnmuntuhle ohdacle- whicli had ; inee
arisen to tlu*. fulllllmeut of this intention and to the prohahility of
the {‘iirly developments of the opposition a/iain;.! his ndmini^d radon
whieli Imd for sonu* tinu* hei*n in eour. t* of pn*parntion, said that
his (hon<i;hts had been (nriii'd U) tlie selection of some mIddie (*oitrs('
hy which liis wish for an early retirement mi^ht he ^riUifit'd without
}ia/airdin;U!: the acconiplishment <>{ tlu* measures In* liad i*ntered upon
and the. su cress of which lie deemed t‘>:s*niial to the national vsidfan*.
He hail not, he added, hi‘en able to hit npiui any plan a pi*omi Jiijii: a t
that* I should stand for tin* \*ice Presidemw on the ticki*t with him at
the next election ami, if siiciM'ssful, lhai he ehould re i»rn in one year,
oi% if it should in* neee.ssary, at the expiration of die -4*eund year of
his n(‘W term. The ret*lin^‘s widi which dd'. propo alinu wa rccei\iMl
arc* as fri*sh in my recollection as they wen* at the moment it was
made. I t*ould neither In*, i.mmrant of, nor imt'ndhle to the larm^
share of ]a*rsonal kindm*ss (owai'ds mVM’lf whieli had jL^iven liirtli
to this snfiC|^;es(.ion beside* his con.stant <h*sire to [iromoti* tin* [nilJic
in(i‘.i'esl; and (hat, eonsideralion, in addition to du* earneN(in*>N willi
which he haliitnaJIy emhi'ac’cd propositions which oceiipictl hi . mind
for some time before lie brou/ilit (hem forward, dcmainled ”Teal cir
e.umsp(*i‘t-iou in the* r(*t{uisite answi‘r to if. Ihil 1 could -cc.
noiliin^ but dun/i;er to mysidf in tlu* proposition and, as I thought,
to his own ^i;reat jiopularity, and was d(*i*ply sensible of the necessity
of giving to it a prompt negative. 1 thankt»d him for the lciudnt‘ss
Ar’l'tM'JntiUAI’H ti\' MAimX VAN lUrillW.
507
!u' luul tounnl • iny-i*ir pnvtinally in a way wlTu-h I’lilly satis-
iiial liiiH llial 1 ap|>ivriat<*(! il a- i I dtil ii(>{ allVid. indiilW-
{•net' (o (!u‘ fiul 111 i( inn Icuiki’d tt» that of luy idtinialt' olnviv-
(ion lo Pr«‘: itt'iN’v, adnii|ti‘d if (tf l!a\(* 1 k‘(‘oiiu* an ohjtad- within
tla* sr()|H‘ c»r my ami»i{iniu hut appiaih'd in him i'nr ihv Irnih ol' thu
iliH'laraf inii lhat I had m*M‘r aid nr tlnm'. aiiyfhiu”’ whilst I Imd hvuu
assuriati'd with him iu tiu‘ puhiii* snrviia* whitdi I'nuld ^'ivt^ him or any
ufU‘ r(‘a-<ai In think that my mind was ocriipital in tlu‘ pmmnt.ion of
that uhjrrt hy any ntlmr mrair- than liy thr faith fid juMdormauca',
<d my ollii'ial tint if 'To this appfal hr rrspomlfil warmly ami satis-
fnriorily. I thim phiffil he forr him all fhf tilijiMMinns that ocrnn’uAl
to m(‘ at |!h‘ monifUl np:aiu>t thi‘ adoption of llm (’oursi‘ ht' siiii:;Li;(‘st(ul.
DoiujL!' (nil justii’f to thi' purity of ids owm mntiv(\ I spoke of t,hu
('nnr<lrm'tion that would ho plarod upon thi' sii‘p l)y our omunius.
W'hilst. iu‘ wa movisl hv otHu itlr rat ions of a puhlii' c‘lraiau'toi% look-
inf' fhii'lly to thf prr find inn of thf. ^ri'al piiljlii' nu‘asinM\s lu' had in
(‘ontfinplalitm and upon stum* of whifh he had alnauly imttu*(Hk they
would .-liirmatizi* tin* protanMliui*; as a stdiish iutri;L!:ul^ tli'niji^ned to
smuLyair im‘ itito tlir Pro ithnuyv ami to gratify his own resent -
lUfiit:; a/i’aiu d tim e to wlio: e tdtn alinn la* was oppos(*tl; to tlu'-se
I addtal many otlier reastur. ami redeetious ami eomduded with
an (*arm*^t dtadarut itui thai- altho I ri;z’htly vahual ilu* hia*h dis-
tinethm of (he Pn* duhuit ia 1 olliias I eotdil im( for ti moment- h(*sitate.
hidwefu thf in tant ami iKU'pftual reliiujuishinent- of it and an aP
t(‘mj)t to ri'afh it thnutnii a fhanm-l m liahit* to misfoiisl rind ion, IP*
was strtvimiy imofd hy tlm miirrH* td’ my n'linu-ks, hut. iu no dt'f'ree “
apprflu'irdvf tjf any iniput at itm - upon llit*s((dNso far trs limy mit!;h(,
in* di'si/i’mal ItJ ailVfi him -elf. 'Thf pt‘«>ph* in whose jirood semst* and
rijLiiit IVelintr la* had moer l»tM*n di ‘Hippoinit^d, \vouhk said, do
justire (o hi m<»ti\f: : hut In* afkiiowltnl^ifd that hi* had not sufli-
fifiidv fou' idfi'ftl lie* diirerruft* lad wetm hi- own situation and mims
'I'liiw miyht pfi’liap , hf (lanurlit, with fftdiu^*;-- of etjual kimlnt'ss to
<»ursfh(v; ht* imhifffl to apfdy a tlijfenml. rnh* in resptud. to i-lm
motives tif , iifli a tfp, as htdw<n*n tin* man wlio !iy iiK*ans of it was
di v<‘s{in^ him fl r of irrtsU Inunu* and with him win) was n‘ft‘i\ in^* if.
ddn* (h'uerar- !t*ttfr t<» me td’ llm day td d whifh was
htdOrt* thf rf jtad inn nf my nomination will la* ioiiiid to conla.in a.
\irtiial nderfina^ to (hi . fonvmsatinm in r-pi*akiui»’ of tin* probahility
(»r ni\“ ia’iiif math* a famlitlatf lor Ihf ollift* t>j \ ift* Pri'sident- aii;a.insf
my will.
d la* i<h‘a wa - ahandom-tl ami alllmu^'h la* iln'ou/j;hout t*htu'ished
a inct'n* df irf tt» lay dt>wu id ^ nllift* at tin* t‘arrn‘st- pi'ac (.itaibh*.
mmuciit. hi re irnaiiou \s:\ md arain propo >t*th imr was he t‘V<*r in
M:-. \ . i.
k
J»»i a, Js.'U, III ihi* Vnn ntimi I’iiimm'S.
508 AMKKIl'AN lIlSl'iiKliAl. \:vnt ’I M H .
a .silnivtion 1(1 iiiakc il 'vilh iii'i'l'r’u't y. It uii! In- ni itiiml thnl
Avhcii I iiijTWil 1(1 nccclit the iMiyi’i h Mi i''ii 1 fvpi-.' i-.l ih,.
(iciK'ral iiiv opinidii lliat tin' rli'li I "a-. I tn laUf .-.iiil.! iii.i h,.
and slKHild iiol Ik' rcffinlcd in any -•(Ii.t tiidn lliaii that a iv
liiKinisliiiK'nl (d' any iirctcn-ioii-; my friend mi;dii think 1 ].n . e ,-d
to ,snre(H‘d iiiin in the Presideiu-y, and lliat I inferre.l fnao hi.
silenci' that hi' fell enuslrained to helieve that . iieh uuntd he it;
ellVct. Ihit lu' Slum ehaniM'd that (ipinidn, ni- never adopted it in
till', si'iise 1 did. early a - the .nli of -"^epteinhe!-, I.'-:'.!, witliin
I'.ij’jht weeks afli'i' 1 left hinn he wroti- a . lollovv- :
Net willislaililllli: llie iilali |'|•illi"ll 1 •■Ulerlairi ..1 llie lal. n! anil .S'
luy nil*! IIJ‘* I’t I in fluiU, till ;i
VHc.'UK'y by ytMir iib'^ntii’t' jintl •*ur laisiinil ihai i ii*n iillril. Atr Mi*
l.mu'’s iuiiKl Is 51 ht«si (t« uu* ajit( wilb hiin and H:irr>/ ia Iimji; I I fuji
und<M‘ J 5 iiy ciriMnnsinnt’t's I’utdiilr uilh tbr :‘<><»du»‘ ^ asal aisfi.ddiuv and. hi di
talciils or lln‘ tttbars, I have tm tlMijbJ ur liall .h-r*r ?bi* n.«fi..a.d ii*-. ^*1 jaf.t a
sjilV porl. sun i i‘Mnunt bni \'»ur :d> r5^<■^^ \\ »*
wKh <ntr Inrabtii ralaibnis billuait* fbal ! umtild ifr.-l jUiaij an*- a-vti f**; •
sliallltl (ict'ur haraartfi’. 1 ramml fin .»• wHlinxu ir -as trarfna;; Ui-I I linpr
clrcunisUnu’as will t»«’t*ur ta aastidt* ua' <«» mtaru h* lla* Iliaiad t .f in «ain n .»a
uad St't tUJ I'MUUpU* WnrUlV in lu‘ InllnUrd atul / i \ i ■ uu 1*« fti . (tcfiUir;
Hull: I lU'var lual tuiy athur ainltilbui nuia Ibal nt ••r\ia s,j> ‘ ■' ii» ii
shu i’c<iuirt'd il, and. whfii I Ktmu it inulvl Itr Iw-ffia* i‘i\fd b. Mlhr-r , r>» tipfU
Mic duur ftir Uudr ; //"U u i// aadt r.daud aa,'
Nolhin^’ ha V inti* nciairnal lliat nainiml uiu f«» ilu^iatr imm tlu*
lh(^ cmirsi' wliirh I’ircuni-'tanrr hatl nni Ini ns«\ 1 ia>
notin' of iliusu ioiu , a will hr Mnni hy iny n'plv (n tUi Itdt^n*.
Hut, h(k did not* ullinv aiy : ilnirr (n [n’i»vrnt him finm ndiirniit:’ tn
tiu'i suhjiad. lVri[Ut*ntIy and in hi - hdtrr of titr IVth t»f I b-fruiliar,
hSr‘ll, hr. I'Xprrssrd hiiirrlf thu-u
I th'Uiuol rltisf, 5Ult|t>’ j( i' imu liil**, ulflintn Jiaaatr. in 5 >' i • mja ’sf .' -tUl' a
sidUrrl which In ctuistnal ly an in> iniml ; N thb^; Il I auj t ■ O il ainl ,w*it
arc lud cjillrd lu the Vin* I u b.li >tiii Sn mnna a* (hi . tt.jf; ;. ::s
two years rruai imw» i!‘ ll ri»iniJi»rt' uHb >nur \iuu’. iutd w i hn , | tldn^ > nur
j»r(‘S(‘nc’c here {diuul find Hum* u ill Ih- unn* ary. 'I bn nppn iibut i-. t.tnd o
they tlurst, try Oj n*jrrt ytuir hnudnaiitin n\ Mini fnr, bid fbt > darn imn Hu*;.
bi‘idn tu Unuw U’ Ibry did thnl Hh' pnnplr in nm > i urndd tala* >t»n up iin»l tin.*:
,N’(m V'Icc Preslfbad wlHiutd a iinjidiiatiun. SVn - if iml bn' lUl*, il I ■■ add iMa\«
rjillaain X; r<». wutibl fry It,
^’uu Knuw Mr. Livbn^.sttui Is ansiutt.s fn •'u id»rua«t -oul I am a^-. anUnii ; i»*
hswe yuu near me. and it wuitld atVurd nu* rbanairu tu rratUy Itn'li. ^ *
I uuiild not bi' .snri»rb'od tt’, rtudrar^ to your dnuhirotl wiobr :, >«»u ah*>uld
In* rim for \der Prosidtad ; as sure as Hu* Sonati* nsal>«* th** lilnnipi in min-!
your aondiinllon. 1 am Inbl it will lu* dtuo*. 'Tbi » will hriie-: \nn hanU sn
twt‘lv(‘ nioidliH. If imt, (boll I wisli, if rt*olofn‘ti, (ti brin': \uu banii. a mti
mated.“
' Wlllitua 'i\ Hnrf.v, PoHdanHitT (}t‘nnrni.
^ In tla* Van Hurtsi Tin* {iUHWts** dutfil ois. i l, ls:n, j ;.t m lu th. \ .uj jiuM-n
I'ltpt'rH.
« lu thi* Vail Bumi Puims*h,
AUTOBIOGRAPHY OP MARTIH VAN BVBEN.
509
The rejection of my nomination followed soon after and in the
GeneraPs estimation cleared the field from all obstacles. That the
party ought to nominate me and that I was bound to accept were
points too clear to him for discussion and this he avowed on all
suitable occasions.
The proposal of my friends that I should consent to run for the
office of Vice President being wholly disconnected from the sug-
gestions of the President in respect to his ulterior views I felt myself
in a situation, after the treatment I had received to accept of the
nomination consistently with the principles upon which I had acted,
and concurred moreover in the opinion expressed by the President
that I was, under the circumstances, bound to do so if it should
be presented to me.
Entertaining such views of the subject I sent the following answer
to Mr. Marcy’s letter:
London, March Ufth, 1832.
My Dead Sni:
I have received your kind letter announcing the desire which has been mani-
iVsted that I sliould be a Candidate for the Vice Presidency, and suggesting
the propriety of an expression of my feeling on the subject to some one of my
friends in Washington.
Of the strong aversion which I have uniformly entertained to this measure
you, as well as many others, were fully informed before I left the United
States. My private feelings on the subject are unchanged. I cannot regard
the possession of that post as in any wise likely to promote my happiness or
u^elfare. But wliatever may he my individual repugnance, I cannot but feel
tile justice of the opinion, expressed as it appears, by a large portion of my
F(‘Ilow Citizens, tliid; I'ecent events have materially changed the condition of
the question. The President in the recess of Congress had nominated me
to a foreign and important trust ; I had left my native land, and entered, among
strangers, upon the conspicuous functions of that trust; a majority of the Sen-
ate have rejected the nomination of the Executive, and publicly divested me
of my enqiloy when I was executing it in the presence of Europe & America. In
so doing they have ° sought to bring discredit upon the act of the President,
and to disgrace me personally in the eyes, -not merely of my Fellow Citizens
but of foreign nations. If the Republicans of the U. States think my elevation
to the Vice Prosideucy the most efCoctual mode of testifying to the world their
sentiments with respect to the act of the President and the vote of the Senate,
1 can see no justihable ground for declining to yield to their wishes.
Should a knowledge of this acquiescence on my part be deemed absolutely
necessary to the harmonious operation of our friends, you are at liberty to
state it ; but not otheiuvise.
I would sedulously avoid any act or agency that might appear calculated
(vr designed to bring about the result referred to. My paramount desire is that
luy future fate be left to the unbiased decision of the people.
Overwhelmed as I am with the generous sympathy manifested by my coun-
trymen, I hope c't trust, I shall not be thought to meet their confiding frank-
ness with fasti(li( 3 us reserve. There is a degree of reserve forced upon me,
however, by the nature of the question, by the peculiarly delicate situation in
MS. Y, p. 30,
510
AHEUU^AN llIS'I'oint’AI, ASSOi’LMMnN.
wlildi T have boon ]il;u-oil In nn.ninl to it, and b> tUo unnt.oi .v prr .o . rnr- uti
rei>ivs(‘n{a(i(»ns nl’ (he siibJ(M-t witli whidi ila* imt.iir oar ha- hoo!j
A\’m. L. Mauc’Y. h]s{i
lIjiN'iiiii* I )( is.'^t‘ss(M I ()l I In* |)itl>li‘'-ln'tl tlohate uliii'li t<Mik
in llu* Si‘na((' on llu* (a’ca^inn, ainl ol nil iiota* ars ilmaiiiioiil . 1 <h'
voled a siillloitMit porlimi of tin* hrii*!' pofical ol* ni\ roiuainiiin in
Kiirope lo n i*riliral (‘xaminai inn nl* On* ^‘I'tnnnl,; that inni i>oon as
sliiiu‘{l hv ili(» nppnni‘n|s of niV iinininatinn iit \\\v Soitato ainl an at*
ranii.’oinouk nf On* inatoi’iah. in my liauds whioh uot'<' aiMiinlanOy
snllioient in (hMiiniisi rate ( hoii’ lallao\.‘ 0| On* »* I intontlotl to avail
invst‘ll’ on my j)til)li(* i*<‘(H‘[diou at Now ^ oi’k, ni On* ih* inn u| uhioh
.1 liad ht*(M) noiili(*(L I'^indiniv On* oit\\ on my arrivatl hoavilv al
lli(*(t*d 1)V ('Intlora, I siipt*i*st*dtal On* a rraiiL’Vinont • that had Imu*!!
u\\\(U\ for r(‘(*i‘i\ ini>’ nn* by hast(*irma' to .Omro ami proroodin?* immo
diat.(‘ly (o \^h^shin^ion. My onutianplahMl .‘.poooli w a nj canir o iml
deli vt‘r(‘d. Ih'roeivinii; Unit ihi* pnblio mind wa - \\holl\ od
with (jiiestious arisiito* upon (ho Pro-.idottt ol tho Ai*t (nr Ou*
reehar((*r ol* On* U. vS, Ihitdw and by oOior tnpios of th‘t*p intoro. I, and
assnrt‘(l by IVit'nds in whose jnd.irnii*nt ami oonltto s I plaord iniplloil
coil fidt'net' that tho ohj(‘o( inns to my nnminatinn In iho i'amreh
Mission, romid(‘d <m On* ins(rni*0ons (o Mr. Mi*0am*, were alroadv
rt*ii:ar(h‘d by all my ooiin(rymi*m who worn not blindod by projndioo
or by politioa! soht*min/i\ as nnl’niiinlotl protriioo: st*i/od upon by
parli/.an Si*nalors In mask a bh>w aimoil at a pnlitloal iipptmont. I
wtts indm*od In regard ftirOn*!* itotu-o <d’ tho alVair at that tinn* as
a matter nt’ snperer<>jUat inn. 1 nood M‘areoly say that tht- npiuions
of my (’f'ic'iids in ro:-poe( to (lu‘ htat(‘ of puhlie npini«>n npon tho
.snbjt'ot- wort* rnlly sustain<‘d *as w(*ll by my olootinn ns \dre Oro itlonl
wliieh rnlloW(*d inv arrival almost: inmio<liati*ly 5 as by Oiat wliioh
raised im* to On* Pri*sid(*ney.
'Jdh* nol(‘s of iny inlendt*d sp(M*eh are now befon* me ami a »lis
(‘iission of the ({Uestions involvi‘th with On* tii*hl to mv.olf, mi*dd
Avell be. eonsidt*red an oeetijration both jm.Ohahli* mul inviOnn:’.
But. I am not satislh‘tl that, nnder (‘xist inn* rirt‘nm tanee , J oiiyiit.
to indulov mys(*ir in that a'rat ifloal ion (»r that there can la* many
unpn* judietal mimls with impressions of the whole aH’atr oOier
than t.hosi*. whieli havi* lH*en stamped upon il hy tlu* rt‘pea(i’d ver
diets of iluv Ann*f‘ienti lh*oplt*. Satlslied with the vindieation my
eharaeli*!' ri‘e(‘iv(‘d from th{‘se and oOier sour<M-- 1 will not now
<‘arry ont. the. •.ire-uments 0n‘y sustaiin*d oi* evi‘n puldi h them. 'They
> *s'fr I JrffitK* (»f th«‘ A iliiiliil' h;n iirll.ni rt'siil I liijt in nnj'»*n' ; i.-n a. Min
isinr to Kn^lainl, an unli)grarli tlral'l, US rr* \nnl»‘r «il' isr.a, In Uia Van lliirm
ruiM*r8,
AU'roIUtXiUAl’Il V n!-' MAiri’lN VAX BUIlI-iN’.
511
\v(‘n‘ sulnuidiHl lo (’hu'f »Jtx>ru*i* Tjux^y luul |o Col. Ronton who
wt‘ri‘ hiii'hiv plonsi'tl wi(li (lu'in luul ilu* Intti'i* sjuxihs iip])r()vino’ly
of ilioni in his I'liirl v "ihxirs in llu‘ Sinnili'/’
1 will oonionl luysoll* with sonu‘ m'lioi-nl viows of (ho inattor.
'riu‘st‘ will Ih‘ /j,'i\on no! at all with tho disposition to cast odium
on (lu‘ nicniorw of tlu‘ priii(‘ipal actoi's in thoM* scinu's, bill bocaiisi*!
i{ is duo to histtu'ical tiaitlu that the main tVaturos of a groat })ul)lm
t-ransindion such as tliaU larriod on in tho ftuv. and appertaining to
tho concorns of (wo griait nations, slujuld al least. 1 h‘ invsorvod.
d1ii‘ assunu'd grcuiud on wlTudi it proia'odod was, it will bo ro-
iiionibt'rtab llu^ charactor (d* tho Instruct-ions under which Mr. M('-
Ijaiu* acl(‘d in obiaining tho I'lv.torat ion of the West- India trade,
and (In* allcgi'd t'xtenf to which tlnw ins! rud ions sought to ad-
\ancc parti/.an aims a( (In* f\pcns(* (d’ tlu' honor and intiuvsts of
(lu‘ nation. Now il ^:o bappmuMl that tlu' same subjia*!. (*ame boforo
(h(‘ Siuiati* but a short time lu'fori' and was dismissed in a similar
aspect during tlu‘ adnduist rat ion of Mr. Adams.
Among mv * pct'chn-: wilt !u‘ found oiu* dclivtu’cd by mo in that
body in whiih tin* subji'ct:; (d’ tin* clmractm’ (d* tin* trade, the inter-
(*st.s of ilu* Ibnlnil Slati*s in its lu.aint I'uaina* and the. sii'ps by which
it was lost arc Ihily di'cir tal. The ({luvstlons arose upon a bill n*-
pcjrlml by the (hairman <d' the t 'oiumillct* (d’ ( ’ommen*o, Mr. dolm-
stoii, of fjoni iaita, a .aipporti*!* td’ Mr. Atlams** a<lminis(ral ion and
Mr. day's paiiicidar and dc.\ott‘d fri^nnl; llu‘ laltiu* luring then
S{‘ci’{‘(ary (d’ Siato. 'The bill i*onfainctl a pia^position which the
Administ I’ut it)n tboueht be t utlapicil to I’elit'Vi* tlu^ snbjm*t. from the
cmbarrat'Siucnt % in which it v\a . involved and tlie passage* of wbicdi
thiaf (‘ongia-ss iti an.xiem ly do irod, 1 was thou, in ilu*. gonoiai)
simsi* of (hi* term, an (ippout‘nt of the .Xdministralion, but, whilst,
1 pointed out the errors liy uliicb the iradi* bud l)i‘eu lost, I sup-
ported the mca tire under coir idi‘r.af ion. Mr. Johnston, iu reply, ad
milted that tin* amendment I proposctl did not dlircr in snlistaiu'c
from the bill repiuted by the ( 'oiniuit li‘c, Indticd in his opinion, only
as to the mode of doing the same thing, '"'riu* gcntleinun from Ni*.w
York," said las *"ha g*nen a deal’ .tatement of the origin and prog
ress of this ipie tinn: he has stated it i'vidcntly with a. strong loan-
ing, la* ha;, made Mint* i*rrcjr . and omi >.ion •. in his faets, and Iu*. has
givi*n too much weight to the unne tiou . in regal’d to tin*, course,
pursued by hi nun ('ountry, Tmt he has ai'rivcd, no matter liy
what coiuve id’ rca oning, to tin* true eonclu ion, whl(‘h Is the, end
of all dclmtc: to wit: that the interdid, must follow. I!i*. thinks it
should he cri*a(t*d by the aet id’ the Ihi*:.idcn! ; we, by tlie. law'. Hav-
ing agreed in the main uhi«*et, I hall not *>^tiekle aliout tho mode.’”
()ceupying tin* pt» ition I did in lo •pi'et to ilie Administration, I
deemed it proper t»» peak fre«dy of the ol)ligations of public men
512
AMKIUCAN' inS'roilU’AL ASS( M *1 A'ru i X .
to forca*o party feelings \vluai aiMinsi: U])nn luattia-r. iu i- au' lu'lwta'u
Uiilrown aiui r()iH‘i*i,'ii nations. As 1 \‘nv will |.r(»l>aMy hr di {(»
Avado thro' thr Tull ilisc.nssion of a spiad ([iirdion I \rutnri‘ ti> trails
I’ar to this plaro soiuo ol* tlu‘ rourliidiu^* s(*nti*iu*i*s ol my s[H*ri'h wliirli
w'rro. snl)stant ially (*oiithuMl to this point :
1 trust, sir, thrr«‘ is iu» disiKisirKHi in any part of tills throw
11i(^ rc‘S])(»Hsihility nf tlHsr own arts npem (Imst' hy \\‘hom ilu'y woro opposop,
and slum tlu^ ('onsi’ijuriwrs wlih'h llii'.v had tlaMusrht^s prmlnood. 'riio inoii\«‘s
winch l(‘il to t.lu' ndiM’tion of (li(‘ hid wore douhtloss pan*; and aUhomth (ht^
proniisod c<‘lal of an adjusimrni, (hroipdi M\«*cuti\(* instrumrniaiil.N . so
t(anptin?j; |o a lanv adininlst rat ion, may havt* h:iil its utdi.ld, y(*t that this was a
(*()iitn)innr^ consldoj’al ion. It Is far from iny hdoidion to athrm.
Ill the prosecution of this iiiipiiry, it Is in>t necessary. I am Mtrt‘, to urre
upon this S(‘nad‘' the ad<adlon nf those moasnres <ml> whl«‘h ai‘t' dimianiU*d
hy liic^ honor ami interests of onr cmmtry. and the exclm.ion t’ri»m onr enun
cits of (‘viM’.v coiisidcra t loll h*.ss worthy t>r t»ur r(*aanl, 'The hnmiliatiuc; spee-
t;;n‘h‘ of a t’oreiivn and adv(*rse itovisaimcnt , speriilat Inc iipi»n (he ;id\antam‘S
which it. may tlmdve Trom <»ur dissensions, will, I rer\(‘nll> tru I, m-\e!- acaiu
li(‘ ilu‘ na'roa(‘h of the Amerieau l*i‘opl(*. In a (Jnverinm'id liKe onr riomdt'd
upon i’n‘(Mlmn in thoncht and net ion, imposim: no unmn’ev .ary reNtraint:;, and
eaMin;.X into (‘\ereis(' lh(‘ Inchest einTcie.- of tin' mind, ot'earduiial dlli’rrem’es
of opinion are m»(; only (o he t*\p<‘eteil, hnl tt> In* ilesiretl, 'Tlnn r*»M:.e th(‘
sluci^lsh to t'xmdlon, ixlvv inereasi‘d enerr.y {t> the mo.st aetive liitelhM't, <‘sel(e
a salutary licdanet' ovin* our puldle runef ionarie.s, and i»re\tsit tliat apathy
whi«*h has proved tin* rain uT lh*pnhnes. I.iUi* tin* t*h‘«-trie spark, tli«*y disiM‘l
from tin* pnlltleal atmosphere tin* latent causes uf dlsca:-e and ih-alh. lint
thes(‘ conllictinc t>phdttns .siamid he ctinllmal to suhjeets whieh ennetsn onr
.selves. In tin' eolllsions whieli may arkst' h<*(ween the rnlti*d StaP*:; and ,a
fonden lkiW(‘r, it Is our duty (o present an utd>roken front ; dome .fie dili'er
eiUM'S, ir tiiey tend to pive eneonr.acenaml to nnju.sl preten.‘ mn-i. should he es
tlncnlslusj or defcrixsl ; and tlu‘ cause of <»nr (Jovernment. must l«e cnu-ealereil
ns liu' eans(* of our eountry.*
'TIu* N'it'W.s expressed in this .speech in n*speel. (n (he iiperi«d‘ity nj’
tlu‘ elainis of (In* eouidry nvtn’ lhnsi‘ nf pnHy were tin* luieht'rahle
.seiit.im(‘nls of niy lii*ar(. when (lu* iibit riietinn.s in oiir Mini ter (n
Knghuul wid'c ))repun‘d by me as St'Ci'etury of Siuii* and ihn: e npon
whitdi I aete.d (o (h(‘ h<*s|, tif my ahilitii'S.
''rimi (he idea. r>r (hi* i-ej(‘et ion of iny nnminatioii was (ir: ( tarlml
hy (he. friends (d‘ Mr, C'alhonn is (piitt* et*r(niu, wliether" upon his
.sti^»‘^(‘s( ion oi' madt^ his hy ado|)(ion, I have no nieair; of kimwiim*.
ddi(‘, /’. A'. Tt'h'tjiuf phy the*, (nlilor of w hieh was his ih*\ oted friend and
an inet^ssaiii advoeale, for his t‘h*vtition (o (he. Pne-ideney, cd‘ a date
.Miorily tifler (he noniinadon was annonneed, eon(ain(*d (he followino;
ar( iel(‘.:
\V(‘ iimlce no preltMisimi l«» propju*sy, hut, jmhdna fi'oni (In* fae's within oiir
knowledge, we iiielim* to tin* <»piidon that Air. \hni Ihiren’s nominaiion will lie
^ Ui‘clisti'r of llrliah'H, Kdi. iit, IMCT, vok HI, ITT and -IT.S. 'rie* \ ut^ihio-rnphy r-oji
ndiiH tin* liijimcllnn to *' 'I’liUr In cxtrartM'* hut tin* pnrtleidnr c xtrafl . art- md d.’iaianitfil.
" MS. V, p. ars
AnroinocKArn V (H- .MAirriN vax urniiN'. ^>1:1
r(‘JocU‘(] by tho Sc‘n;ili‘. wt* :ir.* i1i;M m uU! I..- ^s' lin- iKWi It*- hu ■ {• '!
.sinc(‘ ll(‘ cnino (o \Vnsbin;Jil«»n i?; I'ully j. Iti r.-i.-. i !.nt. h « ii
<-iiinslMn<*i‘S, ciin ih) s.vnipni by ;mtl \vi!l •nii i- u imn {«• i-'.t rlu fui ?r?.n
nuMil. Iii(i(‘i'd W(* li:ivv‘ <»tir (b»ilbls ubffli»‘r }»«• uHl iH«f \<-t uitivut b; ...-.li ••.•n-
ilcnnuiUon hy (Icclinliu* the nii.vJinti mul tbU'^ f (hr . ^rr.- .*}.!• .M.
arl icii' iias nodunu’ (la* (^hararfari ( ir t \ It* mT thf ^ut
rosaniblt'.s ()l)si‘rvai ions of Mr, Calhoun iii;uli* (Ui tlu* fh'or mT tia*
Hoiialt’: as ralaltal hv Cul. Hunfrai. Mr. { alhouu u> <‘r n** rilo
uiovonuMits a;Lriiinst luu wnv uniformly uifhouf oau a, ahvav aifun
oils to his invu a<lvnnri‘hu‘n(. ami on lad- om* urra inn, thr !*!> .b-’!
tial noiuiniition in isih fatal to mina: ami uum thru fho vmv
incains (o whirh h(‘ was drivtm to (hdVat my mmunalioiu a hj]I !»*>
morn fully s(‘rn hart-aftiuh i‘\t iuiniisluMt thr laNt liopt* ftu' tin* rc.iii: x
lion of his own lif(‘ loiir; aspiration .
Our pi'rsonal n‘!alions ronuu«*iit‘uil umh‘r tlu* luo f fnvouraljtr
au.s{)i(’as. Ih* calhal on na^ within a frw hour .{ft or mv arriwil
at \\hishino‘(ou as Sruator in Ispi, aiiii onu uia«lr atUairr .
a familiar ami fii(m(ll\ .-oaial int»*rf*mr r, | rMi^hallj- ir
l* 0 (*alca|. Ill' wa;. at that prriml of !ii lih* a ua v la auiatoo'. m lai
and I rnjo\('d his aorif'ty yrratls, lli H' idrurr a •. ri ,
my Iot|n'iun’s and ( p<‘Ut many of m\ (omnm* ii t.o hv.?! h. ,, I
found many of his frirnds iii\itt‘d, a . I ua Im lalh, airi pia\ v u: f,
'.riuv Ih’i'sidrut iai tdortitm w:i . uiorr tliaii iv.*t umi .-fl, Iru r»'o
(U’al atlf'Ulion of politirian ua alrrath rfiirh, f * Pn-
Silhjia’I. Il(‘ was an a\o\ViHl randnlalr, and fnuu f hr htuou.oni',
opt'idy and rarm* fly aisiiu f a rMiUuinjurr vd' fhr rr- f^-in,
I n ()iu‘. of oiir fonvm* at i«m hr utmt .1 far a to that if a rxn-’.i.
was ladd ami if it .’ hoidtl otlVr flm nomiuaiioii to him, uifhouf ."^.0
ditions, hr wouM frtd nhliprd t»i ilrrlnit^ it nppoit, in that hum.
U))nn (his point wi* tlithurd u‘iih l\, u»*r ua that I hi* *Mjh dilh-imr**
in oin* [lolitiral o[)iniou . Hi \!ru in frptid (•« tfir f,iu f j n»«u
of thr l^hMliu’al (‘on titutiou urn* latUudma'sju m (hrr\tirur (
lli{*s(‘ h(* *i’as‘r U - a {rd^m?' and ahuimu" lilii fi jfo.ii in hi. irpnil
as SiMTftary of \\*ar in faaoiu' uf intri u d lutfu . . v riuriU dv !.hr
<i:(>mM-al ^ouuuuu-ut, jmi naat to fhr i<jMund hv- 1, ^ | pjr
taken in ('ounri* , a \\r ha‘«t* la n. Hr v a <«i;i .»l p»f :r r Jh
Vii’^inia. politir- and with tin* nmn *'rv hi.o a.n. . h, Isn p..h
tirians upon tin* ‘'dortiinr t.f 'U' If j \^ul . i. a,..| ,,,, pj,. ^
dmilial ramlidato from p.-r oual pirfrunov. i la.-ht l air . ,h»..ru
iMr. Calhoinu hut the paifn-ular tirriiu:. rsaJ . . J> thm di
lastidn! (o him uaua* in pr? ir 1 haimon*, uith npiniou and
IVidinus. 'I’h(*y »'on tilutod fh*' maa-d ..f a polnnad p.ut^ !*, u hi-h
1 Inn! ladoiiLU’d from fim hi'pnmmp and in uda. r lanL I L.»prd
ixamu!! to tin* hi t, 1 rouM not thm fon'' pn for him or uuh lui44
i:^7'is:p vui.a an a::
614
AMI'UIH’AX lUS'I’OKlt ‘Ai» ASSt h * 1 ATln N .
null thu lUTfriviKH* (o Mr. i'viiwUn'd \sm1i uIihiu uiy inlurfutir-u
had IxH'ii niU(*h uuuh* rrsirirird. 1 In* n* l i- knnwu. Mr, ( alluuiu
was (defil'd \'ii'e Presideiil nuinluu’ nii ilu* aiiM' tii'kri ulth Mi\
Adauis and (leueral tlaflvsnii rc‘-.|K‘fl i\ (d\ ■. htUh <d svleun, a ■ wtdl a -;
his own t'lefiion, 1 o]i|)or>{'d. Hard tetdiuji arn »• ilii!’in*v tlie <'an
vass blit- an o[H‘n ruplui’t' was aM^iiled. I had him farly and
frank untiee. of (he eourse I inlemleil to piir m\ svith m\ la-a tin
whiidi nioi*(‘ than exidinled a per-«)nal r\fepti*an and uvdal <* iranu:**
iiient- of a marked eharaeft'r had (lim- ht*en pre\t‘nte«l. \\'t‘ mi’t in
the Senali', he. as i(s President and 1 nii (iu* llnnr. (dil a (M’ialinn i
wen* soon reni'wed and old feelinn:- revi\eth In the :;iine winter
that, ^'ood and time gentleman Ihdruun \hui Heiissrlaer and my-elf
spent the hididays W'itli him in \'ir.‘.»:inia at the re itiene,* uf Mr.
and iMrs. hdi/luigh, of Ua vi'iiswaHnl, hi'- partienlar friend , and nur
most, agrei'ahle ami hospitablt* ho.t'-. ()ur linn* pa ed di'Tighl fully
and the visit Inn: mm' heim rmnemhereil by tut* a a e.reen spot in
the pilgi’image of life.
IU' gradually fill, loost^ fi'oin \vhale\er of [lolitieal Iraternilv had
existi'd hetween himst'lf and tin* ; npptirlt*!':: td’ the Adam ' atl
ministration and \vt* nnitetl heart ami hand tt» proimae the eleeiion
of (h'lH'ral fbiekson. d't) ret'oneih* pa -I tli Ilereie‘‘* w<* aeie«-»h in
ad\‘anee id’ (hat- eh'etitnn (o go at the nt‘\( 1 *re itlenl ia I rieei inn lor
a nomination by a national Ponvention. in pur naner of a prisate
mulersi amliiig lu'tween u.- I prepared Iht* letter to Mr. Ibtehif in
favour (d’ that step wliieh appear^ in the etuae poitdenee and »nh
milted it. to him, and to his frieml Mr. Inyliam. d'htw anr^-eii to it
without, alt era! ion ami it wa*. foru.'irdeil. I do mn m»u rememher
that. I sulmiittml it to any other pi'ram although it i ' prohaole that
I (lid. I>efon' I left. hington we lead an animatetl dj eii ion,
at. his Ijoiisi* in ( ii*(n*gef ow n, eoneernimr the pres, at U'a longton hy
whieh the opposition to (he admiid (ration honlil ht* r^ju-e enled.
lie. was for eont inning I lie nlri*ady in e\i tenee under
( he direct ion <d' (Jen. (ireen and 1 was de*.irons (o make an elTort to
pre\'ail on Mra Kit^'lde (o imna* (o \\‘a Idmdtm. After I rea<’hed
lioine I enelosed to liim a ii’iter from Mr. (’amhreleng <jn tin* atm*
suhj(*(*i. to whieh hi* made the fnllowing’ rt‘ply. I have m» eopv of
my le(tt*r whieli it will he seen hy the an vver* emhrafeil otln'r .aih
jeets. d’he. omitti'd jinragrnplis of tin* letter relate |o the rpii* titm.
in regard to (Ih* power of tht' \'iee Pre^-ident to rail to order. ’Hu*
whole li'tter shows how (‘ordial w*ei'e (Iu* (*xisting relatiom* between
ns at. (hat. time.
WvsirmureN, ,fh Jitla,
AIy iiK.Mt Siu,
S(*verai faus(*s luivi* eduthu'ed le su.spentl uiy enrre.sptaulenef* Tur tlie la.st
j’ortnl^^ht, and ainenK others the dnniJCenHis indispusii Icai nf my little snn, whe
Aif'ronnxniAPn V ok mmvvis van in'KKX,
515
^^Jls side wlHMi you h’CI us. lit* is still \«‘ry Inw, atnl I tVar Iii * r»Mu\of> i.- \ rr>
(louhlfiil, 'Dk* pliysicinn ri*iMiiniiit‘in!s l ra\ rlijr.', arnl Junr tnn«’hirlt'»l {.♦
S(Milh, so sn()n as t Ih‘ slul t' nf Iiis luni It h will luTunf. t hir r«* 4ilr5n’«* in ('aruiiiia
is iu*ar I he mouutaliis in a (lelitrlil lul aiul lu‘alfh.\ <*l}ui.jre.
1 pejoiec* llial y<Mir prospeel iu Ua* Stati* 1; -n I :tm t*i iIm* ‘'juniM.:*,
dial the adiuinisl rat ion lau'e art* at u lo* s 1 h*\v to m-i as it is* .:r.? . Mr. t'Mio.-n.
*Mr. (Nay wall uralouhlt'dly In* nptjssei! tn his rlfi-tinn. K*MJu**ur ■ j\ Atr.
Adams is favonralile, lad 1 think It very doidarul. pahi . .ns* luj.h.nta* .y, .
taken to iiujiress Mr. t’lintnu with the heiitd*, (hat hi. ied> I-mm* ■: f.» ns ■
with Mr. Adams, in elTeid whieli Mr. t ‘la> Is js'prr .«*mrd ?•» him t.. :s»*
\dl(‘rly ])roslralt‘d in pnhliek ophdi>n, atul tlud the whid^- o.dia o. t* .a M
Adtuas will ultimulely Ite thrown ittto his seuh*, ufde .s he .h.MoM ! *!.»- p . *
a^tdasl; Idni. I have no doubt hid lids is one or tie* pi, ini . mu v. .h es :
fi‘elin(j:s (if Mr. Adams aad (hay *' do md aeoiird, lad I am ei the ioipi*- s s.; rr.y
tlH‘ hiruKS* will h(‘ (compelled |o .sup(i(»rl Mr, Siinhird, ‘dieidd h«* he nionsi
oi’ at leasl not lo lain* pari aaaliist 1dm. I entirely eenrur uitli ymt a,.
(MU' eoursi*. (hir lllMShy aiul happiue-.*; (iejirnil tin ntaintalnho: v»st!i Inth v ’.t. *
Jirmne.ss, jail with moderation and temper, repuldiean rr*»un»l . and ji p«d»H» rn.
]>rhH‘i]ih's. In .siieh a eourse, Mieee". ; eannol lu* thmhtt d < mr pt Mpii a.:e
esstadlally reptddiean, and it wtadd he (ranee intleeti, Ir ^Uim aided in
die spirit of die .sy.sfeni, and In aeeord uuli da- temper d:,* e.e.a :
should fail.
I Know not whal (<» say on the -idijeet (•• uldeti Mr c r, .,-: i ,
dtaihl di(‘ imptirlanee nf a r.eneral eoneinreijee f., nppie-p l.-, p .
meld, an aide paper liert‘. uml (hat .\nunr: Mr. <' isMia -s.
(juaiilird. It l.s to lie rer.reded that f»mt' nnUett m.e., h::d r . s. , . . ^ -
wiidi'i*. In (he ahsenei* td’ .siieln areiitmi, a. v. id ;dm*r.f : liappeji,
c*rn(‘d. A papia* Is already in e\l denet\ aiuf it d>.«- e. z.£ i.. us* 'a .a u.,., «p.-
Sana* side nm.sl tli.strarl .ami eseile jeahur > l.aep von h,..w it. . d
make a iii'W arraiieenaad on t he e\ i .( in,; t-4ahii le.ueu! r. it. a - yi.-.ni e
Nhie <’ons(*til tiT die prtdjrieitir nm t he had Hr has mnai d iP;: , y, ,,u p-
dudi‘s, and hi sammlne ut' sneee- d he i jjsiiiafhm er Li . p.<pi r ?. yy
he rapidly lnert*a^tnn. on the utade, It * e« m : !»» uu , fhai iy f»i
he done, hut. with general assent, uhieh, tn an^ luume
hel’ori* die iieM u Inter.
I wnidd he r.hul (n Insir Irmn y*in heiMii* t i*, i,. t s,*.? M.ud., i.: .
my name on die hm-L sd’ fh** hdter ndr.ht e-u ip* an imp* a f ij,.. *.? * >. if-
With ;:i'«*af ie*jji*-»
I am Ai‘. Ae,
.1 < ', »
I ion. .M. \ \ Pa la %.
'rill- ( 'niHi-iitidii w;i Iii-M. mill ill- ;ut.l (iiiniil .1 i, .
llolllili;i(<-(| : till- hillcf li.i- ! li-iit , :itnl huii i ll' fm' \ . J’l .!, •.}
Ill' liml HMIlil-riilis UUil '-I 1(111!'' 1 1 j 1 1 i“Iii‘t it (II ((I'uri'ii. ''..i;!'' t j'.i
lillll .-111(1 ullicr Si.llllicrri Suite ulin l.y tin- I .iur I- .-.e li.i'l I. j ... I I, it
(iilii'i! ill Ihf, Iireecdiii..' I’re i.lei. rial 'elect i.,„ h.i.i !.e, ..,„.- a,, « u i,
|iiilll)eal Irieiiils. I| ha. heen ecu hnv. eaiae dv I'.jih Mi.
('niul.inl III Iheir heatl. remnu trate.i with me .ii-.iia t Mj.!..iiim.('
Mr. ( nlliaiiii. Iiii! I iliil ' iijijinct him mitw itle raaiiiii;'. 'I he fi.l
Imviii^r Mler will ,sh<nv ihe ehara.-ter af .mr reiuti..,. ^ tlml
.MS, V, p. 10,
516
AiMKRK'AN 11 ISTOUU ’All ASSi H'lA'l'lON*
porsonnl as well as politii’nl. I irivt' it in full to rhuw, as an aoi:
of justice to him, lunv lairuest he was, at that tiimn a;jrnin -t (hr pro-
t,ccti\'i‘ [)(>li(‘\' and niuit is luo’c saitl i*'' coii:*! tonl with what !u* .*siid
to inc at. llie pi‘e\ ions M*ssion, and alw ay.< .niiM‘i|Ui‘nt ly durina' (ho.
continnanci* of oiir frimidly r(‘lations.
jmy I )nAR Siu.
i am w’llli ll»“ i»n>s}u’i*( in ymir Stafr. It m\ must sam
rcuino anl ioinat i<ais, j\a<l is a 'I’lii-; 1 a\ <Mn’a|>l<*
H(}1((* oi' (hiiiKS Is, no liotiht, In In* allritmiiMl in a i-onsmorahln Urio'oo n. the
^.voudm^ss of (lu* cniis(s l)n( nmch is dm* in iln* ciaisuminan* prudom’i* and jmliL!:.
uu‘nl w'illi which sill <»(’ ytJiir un*sisui’cs h;i\<* lunai tuKm,
1 rcjL’Tcf lo h'sirn dial cirfninslsim’t's imiy comin*! yuu to nonnlt .\nnr niimo
(o ho jshiccd (III (he .jj:nh(*rnalorlal ticket. l( Is ji |joslt!on of r.rcat iiniiortaiici*,
hut In (lu* i>rescn( stall* id’ thlims, It scotas to me dosirahlc, that then* .should
h(‘ as niiK’h (*xp(‘r!i‘ii(’(’ and lah‘nls sis pnsslhh* in tin* Ni‘rvi(*t' id‘ the nation.
'Tlu* (•o.'ilUiou has so n<*a’h*(‘tt*d smd dislractod all oT mir n‘lathnis, londcn and
domi'stick, as to nupdrt* the rri*ah‘s{ .skill A ijruth'mc to preserve poaee and
harmony; y<‘(, If your nanu* la* nee**ssary to avoid (In* ha/anl of di'ieat la
N. York, li will leave* you tio option, I -ilm'oropv re;>:roj that ottr old friend
tin* Jud.m* should put hlmst*ir into .so injurlt»ns ami dis;i:*,ror:ddo a situiitlon.
It IndlealiS a WaUd of p<ditioal Jmhmient* whitdi n*all\ urprl-.o*: me. I eau
atirihute* 11. only to lnall<*nlion to the t‘\enis of tin* hed lour .vrars. Wo an*
so oiu* sid(‘d hen*, (hid 1 e:m have im Inforniat Ion mi tho I'lo- idoni iai ooutosl lo
eoinnninlea((*. IT we \V(*n* more dtvldofl nij that, tlioio nd/ht, porh.ip ., in* lo* a
(*xelU‘mt*nt on amdlu'i* (piestlmi, In ri'r.ard to wltirh I oh a*r\o lum h mi a'i'pr**
S(»nta(lon in some of tin* norlla’rn psipors. I >oop as Is the i^HoUonirnf , I think
I may truly say lln*n* is no class In favour (d' disunion. 'Tliat I think is' m»i.
tin* danfj:(*r. You know my sonllmeid frmn eoiiversut Ion. 1 seo noihliin l*>
elnuiKe It. slim* tin* ad.journmeid. I’ldess somethlnr: can la* douo to nut the
(piesllon out of tin* syst«'m, I fear lhi*n‘ wil la* no end to dlst i-ioiion, whii-h
must ultimately open wide tin* door of poHlleal eorruptlou. < m this point the
hrok(*n forei*.s td’ the (’oalitimi will (‘inioavor to rall.v altoi* iholr >0 ts i hi ow.
With rJnooro ri-sjieet,
I nni Ac.
J. (
Hon. .M. Va.n' UuuKmN*.
niWTKll XXXV.
Wti in IllO t‘!(*rti(>n anti I ntMM’pIt'il tla* ttilirr nf Srrjrt.U
of an ollice, as will ha satni hy tlu' pn‘»'athu^^ iaHi't'. Mr. c .t!
lioiin desired me lo (xampy. Hi' (‘outiutted i>f tlnit nuiid till
a|)j)()ini-inen('. was made so far 1 kiuiw or havi* any !*» hr
Ii(U'(*. !(■< has alr(*ady sinm (hat lad’ore the eanl oT the
y(‘ar of (leneral Jaeksons administ rat it»n a line t»f :.e[iarafn*n v.a.
('slahlislu'.tl lK*iw(‘en us whit’li stMunetl <Ie >(iuetl io lu* jienoauf‘ut . It
has alsOj 1 IriisV ht’en sa( islueitirily slanvu that tlrauiu** tii.it hue
was his aeh not miiu^ and that houautn* inerre he may haae
in (.he <*oneliisi()ns under whieh ht‘ ae(ed, 1 he r uere, ue^mle lr ,,
a.lt.oevl h(‘r uuroundtal. I ha\i\ laUH* and el euhere, .;iid prd'.ip afl
that, is necessary in res|H‘et. to Ihi* t-our e I pur ued t.o^.ard . Mr. t d
lioun and his iVitmds whilst I was in t ieneral dark .tad t ahned. I
am l(‘<h howtnau’, hy my anxiety to hi* iM»rrt'eti\ nnd»*r.t*HMl isp.,o
that, point, to se!e<‘t for inserlinn hen* from tlu* hnndte of Irttm !
liav(‘ luairinef upon it the follow in;jt from myself tothairral Wdllaoo .
of South t arolina, with liis‘ reply. In respetaahilit v, voe.df!i :u. I
infliuuiee (hm. W'dlinin . ranked amon^^ilu* fir t eih/ru . nf hi. .stipr;
he liaci stlppiyrti’il Mr. ( raw loial aial w?is, from an rail'% pejoid, ast
oppoutad. ol Ml’, ( alhoiin. lie had relir»‘d froai fiur N rfioiial t oho
eils h(*for(^ I (‘utered IIhuu anti I hr.st made Id- aetpiainf anet* ;i,f In:
owm lioUS{‘. in I.SdS, The se\erit\ of hi'. d(*nuneiat mn . apam I Mt.
(’alhoun would Imve indueed me to withlmld !n letter if thru' h*^.
tih*. rtdations ami nnfavtirnhh^ opinions* of ea**li otloa* weU' h
notorious, mhiflus’ dfi I plve u plaee here uitliouf relnefitu.*- m-. l
apolo^w to his extravagant e.stimale of my f*, (haim!
Ja(’ksou; hut I do not wish to parhle his leftt-r, the ohjr-.i f..r / l.-sh
I us<» it. Ix'inir fviilent ami, under the eireum ,l aaes' , ;io tmph- ju .r?
lieat ion of such ustx
.^^v tn.Afi ,Siu,
( < ’i ii? Ui 1 I
W ; n r i « » ' . _ In* ’ I ''jf
I rc*eelv.‘r| y,.tU’ UilMi lellin* Wilh unuh :,tiU un. i
favuralilt* (ipiahin It esiires ,. , jji re - otl s. i,e. i* !r \ h.e ... ! i, , . ,
<‘Uiaialj nf me t.> he SUliMi.Ml .!}• Iii> :m.ern%, ' ulna, I a oni fino fiM O-
lew imai Ujinn whi>Se frieiuhlitp 1 Jihn ,. -I hU'her Ih OJ n
He-
« 'kS*
iu e
In
S I /
M: . V. i. is
618
AMKia(‘x\N IIISTO.UIt'Ari ASS(K 'lATK J N.
to tlio i>riiicii>:il suhjocl of your li‘lit‘r, I oau Tor (In* |>rt‘Si‘nt niily
say tiia( until .facks(»n (lisliiu'lly ;inn<iuiHM‘S liis wislu^; in n-sporl in
tlu^ lu^Kt (^loction, n woulil Ik‘ improper for out* stinidiu;' in tlu* rolatiuu lo
him th;it I do in jiu^tldlt^ in any torm in llm i|Uf>(itin td’ his Miorrs^ni*. i
hnvo llu‘rt‘rort‘ laid, down Cor inystdl’ a rah* upon (hat point oousi.-.h'iit with
this opinion i’roin which I have* iitd ytd <lc(»ar(t*d A du iioi inttMid in t'uturo
to depart.
\Vhciu*vcr cir<'Uin.stanc(‘S an* chan.i^<‘d it will i.dvt* jno murU i»lo:i-airr p*
couumndcah* whli yon in ilu* sanu* si>irl! of rrankness which tlist im*ui .Inv;
your I(‘lt(*r and forms an inl(*ros(lia': rt'alurt* In your cha rooter. In du*
nuMintiinc I can witli pu’t'at ct)idid<‘nct‘ assun* ytai llia(. !ln*r<* i;; m> disposliij,n
on ilu* paid, of Hit* I‘n'sidi*nt lo c\(*rci.si‘ a parllallly in \vliatt*\t‘r rolatcs to
Sonlli (landina injurious lo yotir rrit*nils. rimn this head you will ho iir
you lia\'t‘ not aln*a<ly lM*t*nl douldloss (’ally adsisoil h.\ .such m’ thnn a-: art*
hi‘r(' hav(‘ oi»porttmllics of JmUdn.ii:. You will havt* soon hy tht* ptihlio
papt'fs that Ilu* <mu* nuMsurt* ymi prt»pttst*tl war-: im{ an «iiH‘n ud‘* ihm w hoti
ytmr h*((i‘r was wriUt*n. d'lu* otht*r oannol ht* tdlVotiul i’<»r roas^airt wUh li I
know will h(* sa I isfa op try as wt*ll tt» yourst*!!' an (o .huhp* .-•noth. Ai a
pntpt‘r l.inu* you sliall know all that lM‘Unn.p: tt» i(.
II will always mo slnoort* i>loa:-.nri* to ht‘ar from .\ou. Koiorml.or nu*
kiiully (o Mrs, Williams y- yonr stm, and holloxr no* (o Im*
\‘ory sinooroly ^viair I'riomI
(Jon, I ), K. Wii.i.iAMs.
M. N a n; 1 P ui
'To Maktin \‘an IPiunx, I'lstj. <»•
Soon. TV I In i., .;/.d ,/oa.
My 1)mau Siu:
Your favttr t>r iht* of lu-o. last ronohoii mo In duo cour:i* uf mail. I li.avt*
r(‘tU‘('U*d much on its c«»uP*nls caiiiud hut <*\prcrt.N m\ tlcop ro. loi that cir
slanct*s prt'scrilu* t«) you a course td' ctmdiici (Mninon!Iy calcidaiotl n> place
your rrl(‘ii(ls, hi (his (ptartt*!*, out indy In the Itacl.cmuiuh W hm I - a> Ons I
wisli dislinclly Itt ht* umlci’spMxl as mtl ohjcclino p. iho prt>priot\ id w.nr r<*. o
lulion, much U*ss do I wish (o alPmud Its nuncaljon: Ihal cori,aiid> \oii i-au
lu*Hl Jtnlf^t* (d’; and it is no part td’ lrit‘nil.*ddp P> omimrra.s.i %Mn uith cuuntcr
proposilhms, IN'rhaps il l.s insupt‘rahh*, in a r*fiiijo,sf Pciwoon intiiaiu' A hnul
ahh* ambition, IhnI Ilu* last sliall jio\t*r tx'cipn Iht* xantai'o artuind in nil ro
specis. Whlh* your dot (*nninat ions n*main .sn.^iioutlctl, ,sour an-h td’h'Uudit has
(‘Vt*ry mnscli* tljsh*nilcd to il.s iilmost p> aaln Iht* tihjocl ho looks to. y thoroPin*.
so Tar as Soijlh (’andliia is ooncoiaiotl, 1| is not tlil)it*ult (o antiolpnto tho ro tdf.
Nor tlo I iVtd tpdlt* st» oa.sy nhtuil (In* impartiaUtit »d’ a ansit porstmaao; ai'cnrd-
In;^ It) my pt*ro(‘plion ol Ilu* I’avot'.s lu* has rot*(*|\(*d, ho owos yon o\or\(hhu': A
(h(M)|j!(*r nothing'’.
or lids onoimdi. IMy .sob* ohjoot hi wriiliiK now is to aokintwlod}-;.* ymirs, A to
say I am p{‘rl('olly .snllslicd (if (hal Ik* md l(»o stroUK an o\pros*|oni uith uhut
you hart* h(*(*n j»l<*ascd to- otdiinnndtsdt*: for In trulh I imhi | soarct‘|> ha\o a
rl^dd lo an opinitm on Iho suliJt‘o(, whilt* your otmr.st* uooo.ssarily proedudos uu*
IToni all (‘xorllon in ytnirhohair.
In the <‘votd (d’ an all(*r(*d sluP* of (hliij^.s 11 will ;jdvo mo ploasnn* lo st riu'c.b*,
or(*ri apdiliisl (la* prtJSpocI td’ d(*f<*al ; for npmlnsl tlu* olditiult h‘s and (orjpvi'r.so
lions (jf your oppoiu'id’s courst* 1 (h*sln* to lu* ct»nsldon*d at pt*rpotual war.
Accept the persomil OHlemn of
ytmrs At*.
iJAVU) U, WlI.I.lAM.H.
AUTOBIOGRAPHY OP MARTIH VAH BUREH.
519
There is no view that can be taken of Mr. Calhoun’s conduct in
this affair to render it otherwise than highly censurable. If it be
admitted that he sincerely believed that I had acted an unfriendly
or an unworthy part towards him — so much so as to give his previous
hostility the character of justifiable retaliation, still the step I had
now taken should have caused him to pause. By my enemies gener-
ally as well as by myself that step was regarded as placing me out
of the line of competition for the Presidency, and I was about to
leave the Country upon a mission which would, in all probability,
but for the interference he contemi^lated, have kept me abroad for
several years. Almost any other man would have seen in this con-
juncture a sufficient reason for at least reviewing the grounds of past
animosity and confirming himself of their truth and sufficiency. The
simplest enquiry cither of General Jackson or of myself, thro’ any
respectable man, would have resulted in satisfying him that the
stories and surmises upon which he acted Avere, one and all, fabulous
and baseless; that I had never before that time taken a single hostile
step against him, or any in Avhich he was concerned that was not
strict! .y in self-defence. He took such a course five years later, con-
vinced himself of his error and did all in his power to atone for it.
The same result Avoiild have followed if he had taken it at the time
of which I am speaking; l)y Avhich also many harsh and unprofitable
proceedings and much uneasiness of mind would have been saved.°-
But Mr. Calhoun was, it is to be feared, a most imiDlacable man.
To persist in differing with him in politics was to encounter an
enmity which would be satisfied with nothing less than the utter
overthrow of its object; his political career, governed by this spirit
enforcing the scriptural admonition that those who live by the
« Rival aHpii-iintH for tlio siiporiority of position in tlicir own ranks have always and
(3verywhGr<‘ boon the banc of political organizations, disturbing: thoir peace and impairing
their efficiency, and will continue to be so as long as the nature of man remains what it
is. Those eari-y on their intoriK'cine r[uasi-wai‘faro acooi'ding to their respective tempera-
ments, the dispositions these engender, and the best judgment they can form in regard
to the probable efficiency of their separate efforts. Whilst sonic are led by their disposi-
tions to act only on the defensive, to watch the course of their rivals in all matters
which they think (kssigmul for their detriment, and to content themselves with counter-
acting the designs of their rivals by means the least calculated to disturb the Councils
by impairing the harmony of their party, there are those who are never satisfied with-
out the total overthrow and destruction of their rivals, at whatever cost to their
political association that gratification is to bo obtained. A review of the history and
fate of parties and factions will shew that it has been those who pursued the former
course, who refrained the most from suffering their personal feelings from being in-
lluriiod by their political rivalries and were most willing to leave the question of their
individual advancement to the quiet and friendly arbitrament of thoir political associ-
ates have in the end been the most successful. Mr. Calhoun has, it must be admitted,
occupied a prominent position in the latter class and hence the hitter feuds in his own
.State and upon a larger scale between him and members of his own party with which
his political life has been checkered from its very commencement and hence also its
disastrous termination. Thus adding an additional point to the many afforded by the
history of man of the truth of the moral, that those who live by the sword die by the
sword.
520
AMKIilt’AN IllSTDIMi'AI. A^^Sl ii '1 ATIi >N .
I
i'fe.
4 ^
SAVord sliivll piM’isb hv Hu* sword. It i'- only on tlii • tlinorv. wliiidi
is sus(iiin(*d hy (lir <diar;i<d(‘r <d Ids |io!i(ioa| uar-. in hi-« owtj and
in (ll(^ n(‘ii);hl>oiirinn: stati* of (u'oryjJU from luniiimiiiijr i«> oinl, and
thi'. lanKMii al)l(‘ la'suKs of (lirin, that I i“an nxplaiu proiaa‘tlin<:!:s
oduTwist^ insrrid ahK‘. d'h(‘ (’irt‘nni>(aiit iai aimiun’iat ion of (In*
sir’ll to cause llu‘ n'jcM'iion td* inv iiominaiion pnltlished in (ho
Tclcifntjih^ and heraldtal thco' (lie ('ouniiT hy the <aia!i(ion [ircsss — •
Was followed up hy Mr. (‘alhoiin tr> it- roieuiunndioii with uu-
disg'iiisial hit liU'iu'ss. d’lu' eontiunplattMl foundation and, on the
])arf of lltose whosi'. \iinvs aial intei'erts wen* I’epre tuited Ivy the
Ti'}v<ir{(q>h^ the only fouiKlaticjn for (lie movement wa. the part I
had aet(‘d ^dsinet' lu' (1) <*ame to \\'a Idmrton " that i-. (tj say, in
tlu' Katon alfair, in tlit' (juarnd ht‘twt‘en Pre ideat dark on amt Mi*,
(adhoun, and in (iu* di^;rup( itni (jf tlu^ ('ahima. It u:* ; in re/jwi’t
to tlu'se niatltu’s that ! was to ht* etunpelled to pa .. throinrh a
“sevens, ordtnild’ d'he ‘»'roUml tinally a nmed hy tin* <• win, made,
moviniamt. tdl’ertual that of my in (rneii(ni in rrtrar«l to tlu^
\V(‘st. India I'rade iai ion wa prolaiht.v ant then dri^ainetl of
hy any one, eeriainiy not hy tlu^ Smiator-. reprt* tnUeit hv tlie /', A
yrtiph. That, was tlu* result td’ dilfereut etiumaf tlie de\!ee of an
ollu‘r hrain. The former tlid not at any time (it i fair to infm* from
piihlislu’d diseus-ion,-:) adopt it. |dnhn| Holme-., of Maine,
tluni a r('ekh‘ss imdirlati', altlio' 1 am happy to aild that hi hahit ;
wer(^ suhs(‘{|U(mt ly ainimdiMl, wa . at tliat tina* pivparetl to luiuhier
tlu‘. load <d’ an atiiniipt to sirtain theii* ehaian*. mraiu t mt\ hut in
tlu* (Uid, as has h{*i*n seen. In* lirank, im^hiriim 1\ from Ids own
resolutions. Senator Ilayne, from South < arolina, u ho may ut'll
h(‘ lookial to ii:\ tile intl(*\ oj thi'ir viev. , dor-, not e\en allude to
tiny o(lu»r matter as a irnmm! h.r my ivieetinn than tlio.r whieh I
ha.ve slaltal as ineluded in (he notif*e *^i\t*n in (he /V A *// Of
till' misi‘rahli* ^miu*ralit ies in whieh he avtnved hi-, belief (upon
whieh h(‘ru*f lu' arled) ami whieh I iu‘ver nsnl until n‘e<*nllv, I
have only to say that th(‘re was md a parliele uf (rutli in a viluda
otU‘ of the inh^nmees* ami surmi e-: on whieh Iu* ha-ed Id-, aetiou,
so far ns thi*y wen* assumiul to imptsn*h my ‘’omltii*t, thu .tampt‘th
oiu» and all <d t!u*m, ljy Mr. (ktlhoun him.self hy (la* honoralde.
(’.onrsi* lu* pinsaied when lnd{i*r informed,
Ni'itlu’r IMr. ( lay, tneliiu’il hy his uatui*e hiL*”her Hiirhi in the
piu’sidl. ol his o'aiiie, nor Mr, Mh‘leler, too .sanaeiom to permit him
self to h{‘ drawn hi*fon* the Houniry with no ht*lti‘r d(d\‘uee of Idm
(umrstH (lian could he foimd in (hosts snuretv , A\ere eonieul with
tlu* <i:r<mnds of jii.st ilieat ion suii**.n*sted hy tlu* 7\ ft i/nrph , d1a* latter
tlu*refnre, us will he s(‘t*n hereafter, as ^oon as he hml made up his
mind 1:o incur the proposed n‘.sponsihiIitv, ^.vil <u*nius al^
A\vrmun\n\v\\y ok MAinnx van r.na*:N.
wavs pianupi aiul artivr in thi‘ wurk nf injuring' :\ lirua'-nrat, dv
vis(^ a r<>un<lali<»H uhifli luiiiht i*lr\ah' 1 hr arliun n}’ ilu‘ Srnair :in«l
inorr rnlal tn Its ilt*ri‘iun,
iiiular its prompt iiij..*:, hr iimlinlook to rnnlnti't cmt o|
!ii\' i list rn(*t i< HIS to .Mr. Mr Innr, I hr hi tor\ o| that an*] ‘*1 all
prt‘^'i^Hls nt'r’ot ia( ions in rrl:iti<Hi to thr uhjrrt, tho' prr:nl o\fr a
Inn^Li; sc'i’irs of vtairs, mav hr p'ixrn in a iVw um-il . It :nlju fmrnt
was (h(‘ ohj{‘rt- of soun* ■ i\ or .'-rxrn lirrot lalioir. hriur.m th>* !a.»
rovi'rnmriit'-* ami of arnimiilatrtl rrtaliaforv ir*M iaiion. M.ttn of
Ihv most, promimait . lair inrn of Initli t'oimtrir . tor in tam-r t lu i
nin^ and Hii'ki on, i'tjr hamlaml, ami Khi h, tiallafin, Adam and !
('lav, on oiir sidr, had lakm [iromiiumt part in it: Mr. Ad.tiu . ;r; |
SiaTrtai'v and ap’ain a.- ihr idrni, and Mr. t 1a\ a. Sriarfaiv t»r <
Slah* iindio* him. In thr !»riti h Parhaiomt lahlr.hrd fr-
laNv ilu' Irrum up<Hi whirh ahait* tahri* (‘uunlnr, hould hr alk* - r !
|o (radr w ith lirr \\ v i Indian ami otirT rinnnrratrd t «•!<»;::»• .
d’h(’S(* t hrv pnhlii’ly oilrrrd to all tmlnm. n ho homd arrrpt r.| thr:/i
within a ri\cti timr. 'Thr Ihitih tourrnmmf ' i? i r.par j | : a.-d
an ()nh‘r in (‘oimril uhirh avrrrrd that tin* I mtr.l . hsJ
in all t hi n/.n; ri m formrd lo thr rnadd!on ;hnt id! t« ndrjr l jLr {?ad>*
in {jiir^ tion to llirm providrd thr\ tin! i» ronhnm h^ ,i u inr-d d o^ ;
if not thru (‘inhrai’rd, tin (‘ounlrv to hr r\rtndrd 1 1 oin . d !ir
\a‘Xat ion md (rndani upon thr protrmtr?! nrnoUaliou liad nid'oiia
natidy cxhan trd tin* patirm’r of onu^ of tlir nmtlriMrn * t{0 i*«, d in
t lnan: thry had allow nl thrir /o’opi-’/ to t.do" oflrnrr and t h* :r
rrrlinr;‘; to hrrnmr onrrd, a wiadoir . to uhirh pnldn’ tia-n < d' rll
( ‘ounl rir. a rt‘ nrra'Jtmally ailijrrt. d hro' .omr nrli ran r our thn
mauiirni, with its rvr ■ oprn to tlir rtar npirurr nilVii d f!er four
to r\pir«'. within vdiirh thrv wrta* lo rompli. with thr h'nnli h \* t
(d' Parliammt and thdrr in t'ounril, ami a total intridi^i t«f \\tr
(radr fo take rtfrrt anain t tlir 1 nitrd Sfatr . lU'romiiu' ati !ird
(hat. hr. had rnminitird an rrror, prrhap . that hr had to,, 1 mi»
a. ndn to his frrlinn , Mr. Atiam , rnt Mr. (lallatin ;r • |H“ri.il Man
irdts’ to iMudaml wdh in I nirt iotr , prrpart-d In .Mis ( la\ niidri (r,
dinaiitni:’, ronlainlno r\planafion. and r\*ai r , and linalh anfL..i
i/ZiUi^ thr. Mini {i*r ti» rnimm* tliat !i<r I uitrd voiuid t do
what, wa , i'rt[nirrd hy thr Art «d* Ikuhammd to mtitlr lh»*iu n,
tradfN and to rtmrhidr an arrannrmrnt for thr di po dion of thr
wholo ^alI »]rrt upon t hat 1 ni i .
d hr Ih'iti h ndni try rr rntnl ( hir that is not Pio trou«r a truul
wlial thi'V rhoM* to rrffat d a ihr rontumar\ of our t rot. «Tanj nt
in rrfn inir what thr\ had olfVrrd, and now in thrir turn dr- nn» d,
in rXjirr- (rrm . allovdtit^ to u , tlrui hr .f ant{ ion t rou’.* tiinn m .
I
A^lKint'AX IJ IS'l’nltU ‘AL AA.^i } A
r>t22
{.onu'.rs, a iraik' lo wtiirh thfV rr<M‘ly adinitlrd .ill uilua- uatinn .. Mr,
(ijillarm was (luai in>l ructt‘i| tu lu'iu!r tin* . ar'ani ludmt* tla*
r>!*ilish ( i<i\’i'rnau‘iU aiul to n*Ut*u t»iir a inu tu lu‘ admittfil
(o Ihr truth* iiiith*!* thr Aft ff Ihirliaiuf nt , autl a . aa iia luf»Miu‘jit.
to that. ( ioxaaainifiil la* was ain htiri/.fd to affoiii|»aa\ Iti . a|»{>lifa-
t ion willi a ftaiffssioii n(‘\t‘r lifltu’t* otlt’rt*^!, to- wit : “that thr Ihcsi
(lt‘n( aftjiiii'Sfiul in thi* th‘«’isinii takfu hy tin* lU it i h t tn\ t-riuniait.
(hat thf ('olonial ti*ath* .^-hall h** riainlalfd hy law that hriiii'. a,
point- wa* had hftort* <‘on((*.drth pndf rriii!*' uf laa iat ion, lli appli-
('at ion was a scfond tinu- iiiifrif monn»u ly nd’n i‘d and lir ridinaifil
from his fruit h*s;. mi: ..ion* Nut ronttmt with t'nis tioM-rnor Ihir
lanir was inslrtifti'd to rt'iifw Mr. (lallatiu' prupM-ititni and u \\:\ \
apiin ri'fnsfd. dlifii followiMl di[dnmatit* fninuuat itm . on our part
and tinall) a laM’nnnnr ndat ion to ( *om*r«' ' tioiu Ih’r nha ? Vilam ,
in his Annual .Mo' apa to put. an rnd to thr fr:uh* hv A*! of ( un
^»r»‘ss, I’ff i{>rofat iiJii' tin* I>ritisli intfrdift.' In if p‘'» t to tin Art.
aidin' not I'ankfd aumuo llu* frimd of thf .Vilmim tratioa I up
porh'd, as has Ijcuii s«*t*n. thr Pm idrut’ rrfomiumid.d ion upon
<r'r(»nnds whifh have als’o hnat sffu in part, ddo ■ t' oh jda*',- ui |s!j,
and from that tina* until tlu^ rominir in of tiin. dark on’ Admin
is(ra(i(»n, du* tradu was lo t to both ( ouutrii*. Iirrju thmr isr.prf
ti^a* minister,; aliho' a‘'.reed a*- to the (einr^ upon whsh it ■ hoidd
lit* est aid i.’;lH*d. enidd not he hroiudit to a**! to'ushor in t':irr\ urn;
dial aar(‘i‘nienl inlo (‘tl’i'et. 'riu- tlr t ..trp tido-n after ihr eh'etmn
<d* President. daeIc:-on wa; da* pas .aaetd’ ;in An hy (‘oneio.. . frametl
upon da* prita'iple:; etmtainiMl in tlu“ in truoiion-, from Mi-. (1:iy
lo Mr, (iallatin under (he pre\ ituis Adndni tration. :rftina' fordi
spiM'iliea liy (hi* (nans upon whiidi we werr willinn to opru oiu p-ai
to (‘arry on the traih* in (|iie:>.[ion whieh ti*rm weri* (ho oifned
hy the P>ri(i.sh .Md <d‘ Ihirliainent hrft»re refn-rr.l (4* ami the ae
(’(‘ptann* (d’ whieh laid heen omittml tm our part, d hr Art td’ i ‘on
<j:n‘ss provi(h‘d that wla*iawer ila* Pre idi'Ut. ua. .atihiMl that du*
< h)Vi‘rniia‘n( of (ireat Pritain was wiHini/ to I'xteml flu* tratle to
us upon those tt*rtns h(* slaudd lie uuthori/.efl to pul an end to <iur
ililerdiet liy a Proelamatioii to that ellVel. ()f (hat ( ‘iiinwre'' • the
IS{*iialors from Xi*w Kno'lumh wla» (iiLCured . 0 lar^yly in da* denim
fiat ions of what, was suhsi*([ia*nl ly doiu\ \vi*re m<*mlM*r:. and to th;d
Act (law* y;a\i‘ l!a*ir as^-.ent nay da‘y wen* di*>irou:H of it> pa ata*
as their imna*diaie t'()UstitU(*n{s waun* tlu* hirLU*st : utlVn'r from the
in((*rdi(’l. 1’he duty of ronduetinir a lu’^'otiatioti to <ditain the eon
sent, of ({n‘at liritain (amtvmplatiul hy tla^ Ae( not only thwtdst^d
upon tlu* President, under tlu* ('onstilution hut la^ wa' e\pre ly
> 'rin' jit't tti VfKUliiti* Uu‘ (nua* ihi* I'nia**! uml ih** »’»4*.4uf - mj
Urltnlu faUtMl of rHHHUKr Man a, IKa7, hut a siih^t ijia-at a«'l for Ua aaiii** pm ji'-Hi-, aua ial
iaif tlu* lU'tH of IHIH, IHllO atul IHUa, was paH^od ami appH»vt-i| Mnv ‘JU, {Srui.
ji ni'w Mini t»» tliat t niiri
insl nii‘( inii ■ thi’u' whirh In-
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flu* Si” inii tif ( ‘nn»»r«’ ,
( li'iHlnn* an*! a urw i Uxh v \
ilii‘ in!i*rirn‘t aial rHHi*f>rin*
(ra<l(* war si‘*‘nr«*‘l t** *air !
to thi‘ variiJtr. {'Xtoni *«!' th* ii inn-r- t
l.a«! iit‘i*n tiaitltov.i n. il*.* \tiounMi:ii
whirli llu* liittfj' If’oi iiri'f'itfU inlf !•■ { h' a**’- p? hi a
rcplll t‘*L liHU iniM t In Uir.il lon.tHi j
I'orriiilv in all ip ps''t v. itli for J <4 i . ., p
p.| Py ruiiHUHti pMii «iit tu paa.»‘ tii'* s->a\ l»‘r a irn^ '
hault* aini in Ma^uiatt* tl**' t<’rni . upnii uha h u«'!i i*as-
hr a hnl.
litiifhl Prr iiirli! J;n h i*n i*\pr« 1 that Ir* unuM i* ^
iir.irail uf ijrunnriat IHU . r prrialii I hr r»'pir '-nrai:
i\a; li‘ru prnptr. Ihit hi . iruanl an*! (hr rruuitl nf jl h'.i a *<1
liin r \n wliHiu h«’ hatl lirru a i tril wa ut a \ ^hu r
(rl\ h'isr : MU! nf (*t»nrrr . rHUtlIiHr»l fnr thrm- lirOilh, I * J . ,*v HO*-
hill Uoiliinn' :i , thru airl upnu ihi* ishjrrt, 1 Un p'fimHrul |r,*i( ifir
n- .hit atlHii ha*l it 1 trur, \>rrH tnitiUrtl iatn hr|”,trr!i t hr ! V, M I'Mi
loauurut , hiit it ha»l nut h.'*-a r\rrl||r.l. 'Tuthat m.l, t .H l hr! uflh: il
arts Url'j* Urrr aiV ; uU t hr pall uf tlil < h »\ r r nini’U t , ftjr |0<» I =
(lull ui Ihr Iflrlit f(:i» k'uU In rrl.»»h»* Mill intr!*i*rt, iHrl a Urv. tn4*'l
ni (oUnril on fir* par! of ( n-raf Ih il.iin !u aiuujl f!ar:i .. 1 :r i ■ . i .
still I'otiiu fur ‘hi hp lirtUrrii t hr r?lp au4 tlr* Ip, ‘ afr! ;t 'u u!4 no!
ha\<* rnuipf»rt***l witUt!*** v r|t |ai»Ol.ii apar J*. »>t u Is i f* i
to rai r a hui’ an»l ri \ an. no t a. ursi ui r i »t t Ir' i r r^ ri mnr a! h, v. iorh
t lu‘\' W ri'i' t u 1 ir ( hr tfl ratr t railu-i .h^Purit r lihh.hnrat a.rihrssi
plaml hrioiai t hr I fvo h «‘f ruU! nn'r-unr , At t!«r romiornrrair ut
of tln^ nr\t >*•• ion of t'oirH?- trp ha4 P> ra t thra, h;. holla
( to\ rriiuitail aUil r\ I'-r >> t hiun ha*! ’ort-u ♦four to h«ov tint I hr tr t*tr
in Ijur tlon ilpuli t hr rrt|nur4 Irrur r. a . rJilitrll, :»ir, AH’l not hsjfhr
I o hi* rtMlantaartl In anhatam. 1 hr 'nliauH fralani hr ah
lUiS a ih'irrrr of rlr»llt fur a urrj* . whirli a . Uinniurut . ,tr
f
1
s
- yj ’U
llvA fr,
524 AMKBIOAN niF^TORU’AT. A;^S()( '1 APION.
arrest, and what was Averse than all, at lojist a share, piM’ha])s a coii^
siderable share, of that credit might i)e awanh'd lo (lie Siaa’elary
of State AV horn they believed to be ihi* (h'ln'raTs desigiiaiial siiceessor.
The coast being at length cleared of dang(M’ to tlu‘ intei-i*sts of t Ikmt
constituents, these very representatives entered the thdd to ilisj)arage
if possible the administration of Presidetit flackson, and to di'stroy
the jmlitical j)rosi)ects of a hated aspirant by a d{*spi‘rate< onslaught
on the measure itself, and on all Avho had aided in securing it, save
only the Minister Avho had gladly a(*cepted and Z(*aloiisly snstaiiual
the negotiation Avith a full knowledge of tin* iiistructions under
Avhich he had acted, and, as will be seem, with*’ more than tiiat.
The Senatoi‘s from Massachusetts, Whhster and Sprague, ‘ and
ITolnies, of Maine, came forAvard as tlu' chami)i()ns for Mu' light.
They charged that the trade Avas worth nothing, and that tlu* cliar-
acter of the country had ])een degrad(‘d by tlu‘ instructions undi'r
which file Minister ha,d acted. ^rb(^ support rd’ tin*, fornu'r iiupiifa-
tion was committed to TIoluu's and Spragiu*, •^^^‘l)ster at^ tlu* propi'i*
time, assumed tha( of the latter. Tlu* (wo Houses W(*rt‘ scarcely
organised before Holmes ollVred bis iH'solutiou of (‘lujuiry,*' prc<H*di‘d
by a. s))eech of (*ond(‘iimation, and, alh*!* occupying tlu'. attiuition of
ihe Semite, otf and on, with incolu'rent and iv<‘klt‘ss inviaii V(‘s againsi.
the Ihesident and the late. St'cr(*t.ary of Shite until he exlmiish*d its
])atience, then dro|)t the sul)j(*ct. without, pressing or (*V(‘n Inn ing de-
signed to pre,ss a. vote. Senator Sprague, the erring des{H*ndt‘nt. of an
honoied demo(*rati(^ stex’k, tijougli s<‘ai‘c(*ly l(*s.s bilt(*r, was l(*ss gross
and made a clumsy, laborious and c(*rtainly most iiU'oncliisiN'i* sp('{*ch
upon SOUK* j)roposition lu*. liad int rodiic(*d in r(*la(ion to tlu* arrang*-
m(‘.nt. tha.t had been eirected, the obje(‘t of wlTuh was to show that
the trade was of no value. He, like his (*o-ii(lj iitor IIolmt*s, occiipii'd
Hie l.ime of the Senate, for sevei'al days*, and tlu'u, liki* him, <jui(t(‘d
the subject. Wc'bster imuh*- no formal s])ec*ch (*ltber on Holmes' or
Sprague’s ))rop()siti<>ns, but brietly signified bis full (X)uein‘n‘iicc in
their views.** lit*, [lersisted in treating tlu* ai*rang(‘m(‘ii(, for securing
the trade* in tlu^ sanu^ Avay on seAa*i‘al sulKsexpu'nt oe’ca.sions, always
seemingly intent upon finding an excuse for bis course in respect to
my nominati()n through im])(*a(‘hments of the negotiation. To show
the partisan and purely factious (‘haracter <d‘ these* ])ro(*ee< lings i( is
only uecessai*y to say that this valua’ble traele has been e‘arried on by
this covmtiy feir iu*ai*ly thirty years under that arrange*ment.; and, as
T know from e'ompetent semrc.es, witheiut ('sscMitJiil alte'ratiems, ane!
" Ars. A\ p. n.'T. ~
‘ r<ac|^ Sprajj'iK*-, Sc'iuilor I’njm MiUiic, not Mawwichusol l.s.
~Dfc. 20, i8;ri.
a’hoso arc. raporlod in Coii^roMsional Debatos, voK AUI I, i>| 1 pp ip *» ( eiHo
700, 710, 711, 740, 700 iiiul 030,
ArTi)Ulnt;i:APIlV ok mautix van nVUEW
525
tluil Mr, (ln>iiL*li twirr SrcnMiiry of sinci‘ (luil period,
has iie\(‘r even math* an atfrmpf t<» iuipro\a' i(,
A straiirlit fttrwani nmu who had no sinisler ohjeci, (o accomidisli,
hut wlitJ llunnrlit he saw in ttn* instruidions uiuh‘r whit*h the AVest
India traih* had hetm latneludetl realurt's \vhi(*h wttuld rimder it
improper lor him to vot<^ for tlu'- eoniirniation of the nomination of
tludr autlior hn* amdlit'r tdliei\ would have suspmuled his interfe.r-
enee until the tjUt* tion eanu‘ hi'fort^ him ollirially, ami would (lien
haM’ dattMl hi ^ nai .on% with maidy eandour and, having doiu'. so,
would ha\e foumhal up«m tluan tht* ae( which, wlam he did p(nd*oriu
it, he prtde t*d to he a [iaiurnl (liity, Mon* especially w'ould lu',
ha\c <l<na* .‘-o wlam that autimr \va:; a niendn'r <d' the sanu*. houorahio
prolV ion with him elf, om* \Uio hatl Ixam associated with him in
till* perloriuanci* id piade ioaal duties of hiirh imporlanci*, who
hatl heiui u memher with liim <d’ (he same tli/xnilietl hoily in wdiieli
he w a* to pmd'tnan that miwidcome iluiy, who was alr-^enl in a for”
eiyu huul when the information id* tin* step lu^ felt himsidf eon-
.-(rainetl (ti fake wt>uh! {'i*aeh him, in tla* presenee. of dis(.ino*uished
men frmn all part-. <d' (he wan’hh am! who wa.-; withal a mmlltmian
wluau hi = heart mu i aipiit id’ ha\ln;Li: rvma in (heir lon^ a(*(|ita!nt"
untH' ami e\ten i\i* intiTismr.e in \aritm; i*apai’il ie::, li’isiled him
with ini’ivilit) or unkindne ; id' any deseript it)n, Ihil. ji course so
iltH'orou , M htnaiuiiiur (*» tuir pa .( ri’latitam and :%o wtdl ealeulatia!
to soothe ft*eliny* which ml^dit la* i*Nci(et! hy hi:; iillii’ial action was
nt»t tit Mr. \\h‘!‘ fer' ta tm A noisclc- s, uno tent at imis ptud’orinanci'
id' hi painful ilntii* , i*oniim‘d to I la* chcual ilocu' ses*i!ims id’ (he
Si*uatt\ tin* u ual cfiursc on .sut*h otaaishms, wais nt)(. ^"ihi*, (mter-
(aiimient ” to whicli ht* invited him t'lf. He di’sired, that, his ^‘rati”
licatiiiti ndtdit la* com]didi\ !<> atvm; (* tin* piihlic inli‘r(*'^( ami imriosi(y
iu n* piM’t to tlie :ai*rira’e hi* was alaml it) maki* and, io this etulj
hi* t'i/.cii tin* iji’ca iitn of a ilchati* upon llu* rt* idtil iiJii of his friend
and coa<lju(m\ lIolmt*s, in u few* signilleaui remarks, to fore-
Hiadiju it ami : tmumm (la* nltimtitm <d' his fijlliiwio’s. Having
imnli' thi- tlcmon tratiim he fortliwifh, hefon* (he delmie would ap-
pi‘ar in tin* rt'todar ia>ur..e, prepaiMal an article foi* Die. NttfhnHt!
yivln*i^ a skeiidi tif wind, lu* hail said. I say fa- prt^-
pan*d if. heeauw* what he iu (hut :dvi*(eh i:. .Mippiisial (o have said
! t*\iilently imt taken from tin* note-; iif ihi'ir reptuier whieh w'dl
hi* found in the \idmn**. I lu* :tr{i«’lt*, a*', it appeai’i’d in the; /vi/c///-
(h u*'t (\ i in the fullouim/ Wf>i’d :
V7/C lU'Ui h \ t . lit t)ji* eniir^^* of Si>liH‘ la<*lileahil ilt'hale la lilt*
Si‘}uit»* on Ml, Ilninii s rr -nhit itiu ilujt t‘> i’tiU aiam tin* (*xccu(lve lor
Udn furihi't’ liiloriuale’U t Mitrfrhiin! tin* \V<’St linlla triule, J/r. \\ ('halt'V nuide:
XWLIU^'W H! !»<!:!«• M. \
E-rruarL-- tSa* r‘» ^ a
flii«ii!‘h fhr r« ' f Mt' rh«- ^ : :-
Vvtm rh*^ i-l*- «-l’ M:«’ ^ !*■ -:• 1 •' * * ■ ^ • '
j hr i ‘»t la*‘ v.ii I :: '* :•■ ;•
I !)♦" ij.it iaaf imu. hiH h* f la- - -‘a.. ■ > : fS f : ''
Willi Silirr S h* l«'. -aj : » r ■ . - ; -.a ■ ;
ah.nulHjM ■« h .iini an i; .:?;■ « taf:a. a.
t i aju‘!t h> f!a a. i ■: » r:-a...r; a ?.* » • - ? 'a ■ *! =
Jatlif. ai\rii, Sir, in ar»i ?:• . t* ■ a*
rin* -.uhi*-*'} *n I»uh!h' t \.<iuijiari«‘n ^
♦ ♦NiiHiina! i»>Ii alih amiii'i* iil.
I’lii - \\:iN uulinnilatnU trail Ut
tin* atljnijliuj' i-lt \ , wlial**, l.t a ; i- I i*/j ! »
ir ihn la- i
Mr \ -i'. }U a: It . h.-*-, , ;
in ina-'rai IM Mr \h I :
ullih' : f aa'.'. Mf‘ "a -fa, v.^--n'4 ?.►*•-.>, «• -. ^a •. •
Nrnatr '‘T fh*' t aif*-*! .'f. S- w la.^ !- ;. • .
i'l-MiH ilir hia Jan; ?a’;’ nt n a a? ■ V a-
frrha^ '
l‘ rniu fin* /r r M wnu! fin* i- inn! . .f f!i.
tlill w:i t lit* i-MtHit E i , an :t fa,' , f m, . |J.<. n .
«!rl»atn fliat wj . n« ihn* I-!!;*- t.. ■•. ';r- in 1‘
Sf ah* u|n*Ei ihr rh.tra. tnr uf iu^?i : H I ! f* t • ti ■
liouiiiiaf i« ni a Mnu tar I'lin! nrl ’.»• i
fur anulll mat !*»Il.
Xt>U if auvt!siti‘"’ Ufla uara .ii\, f^r
nf ihS SriiafMr m in'Ii . n. ' I’a ■ aa
trail arii.in wa lu'iMumfr.l f», nrh- Mr ih^‘ fj a
thi . »’i:i|i tiMp anuuin aat 1' <14, aini !-* h-.v la
ill { rnrf inn . t !m m ifiitalnni 1 % la i .*J> lr>f ! m r !r
jUafrUrr. it Wni|!.|, 1 frniM thin]... la- r ?'
miini , ha funm! ’u tin* {.i^i tlaaf fU*-- ‘a M-a
( arily tanjHsmusi. at.^J fi.t'MUjM-.* h. I .n
*»f fin* m**mh*'i r*»r iltrii mfnimatnan ir f f-a
tin*;, mi'^ht fliiii], fin* nhjr i mMiiiirn *>ii fls,-
\\itlnn n|!i' nf a lu-fM!.' ll.,. * .-
|nu'.i l»'il iM'hu'i* tin* i^tal t 'n’n'r*- i- ? .
umhtlr aftf-r tln*y urn* n lai»i h»-fwia- ?. far
in iiian\ nf tin* ptihlm |ia|M'r . I in \ ilra* A*. ■ ■
^ //,'.///*/♦ /rv r, ] lH*rir\rK and that m
in th«* piililn- print , nm-, a far a I hr--',
ni l* s\:i a inpl»* ur^'d aid ahntn thi d»*,'naH
fharai‘ti*r, n Inudly and, I ma^ ll 4 %,
■ ■' ia-.:rarr, !»*'»' ri. n, j,.
’'‘ft* V. i» liM,
® 4 nti, la, wj, unii ;a‘.a n >
At t»i’ MAirrix vax itnu-ix.
527
liiilil I h:til Immmi :i MiHistfi' In IsnjirhuMl nnd whon i( was
Iniinil i‘\ juMliriu in rt thi*in tip a a prrtiai'f Toi* a pft‘(lc'(i*niiiiu'(l
rt* jrct i« ai u r m\ iMMinuat inn.
X(k talnai l»y ( 'niiirrn . , in n‘-;prc{ ((j ilu' a rr*an.
nitsjf, laif it ua* iu-riiti r* unn^ wnn* lu-rt* ary. Tin* Pi't‘sii!i*n(. issiusi
lii:> pi’nflamat it Jii t»n tin* i’\prt‘ s unilfrsl atulin^' llial thi* arrana’rnjfni-
\va . ill pri't'i f* t-t »n Inrinity tn tla* intaiitinn nf < 'ntio'n^ss, a.‘i dial was
;r( inrtli ill lilt* Aii nf thi‘ UHJttlU nf May pnaa’diiip;. lln approvtnt
of tha arraui’ana nt la'taiU a il was - n, and luH'ani i^ { ha naij;()l iat inn
lunl hiani fairly foiidunlat i and npnn priiini ph’s tanisislanl willi Ilia,
hnunr aial ha ,{ itilara t-. id' tin* (Nauitry. To analda ('niiiiiH'ss jn
jinlaa fiH'ii tdr w lad ht‘r nr nn{ all this was stt lus williniil .vnliailalinn,
M'lil in al! tha pajiar tuM’a ary tii (hi* fttrinalinn of ils judrciiuait. and,
at tha haad td' thaiin tin* a \i*ry in t rind inir;. 1 f (hi* at*ranp‘iiu‘n{ was
tialiaiaiif np<m aitlit*r pninl it wa it ; duty (<i .say mn aruj tn arras(, ll.s
a\ts-utltiu, as it ua , in \arinu . way., in its pnwar in dn: hu(. ahnvt*.
all it' it wa , in tin* jndrnuani td” tha nianihar : id* tha Natimia! La^’is-
laluri* nr in tha judrtnant nf any pnrtinn nf thaiin uli(aiui‘d thrniin’h
di rrpntaldr anin’a inn nr i-s planat iuiis nr rt‘pJ‘'"-‘‘n(a( inn.,, hy whlah
(hr hnnnr i»f tin* (“mndry u a tarni hiah it was thrir hniuidm duly
n (n df-rlar** a! thr ihrr Indd and In rail npnn tin* lh*r idrn(. (n plM’
aft‘.l Hn fartlirr in it rsnaniun. Il wa nn( allnwahia hy any rnla
id' ritdd rr tli'rian’U that a hn<|y nf inrn, r.urh a . (lir-.a nun.’h(* In haVi*
hi'cii.and astir* rrt*at pnri mn n| (hriu wai*a, rJinidd arrapi (ha wam* '<
nf thrir ('niintry drr^i'adai iiin nnr yrar, and thr ni'Xj. In prnmnli*
nthrr riid .. hntdd rai r tlii. fat r rlamnr arniinst (ha (ransaidtnii <d’
whirh thav had thn. awii!t‘d lliani s*lva
W'hat wn tln* Prr idinit (ndn^ 1 1 i : pradtaa* snr liad, rnrlhalima
haini*'. In t u ‘/rrat int«*ri*.t tn ftia anuidrVs (hrnii^h (In* will's of
di(dnrnar\, liarkin»»* and liHinp’ in his pn:;ili(nn; in rrspai’l jn ii.
'rim i* whn had rlr\atatl him In pn\\t*r had rhariXad (his vary ihdiii-
i|Ui’nr\, aiimnn nthrr , npnn him and lalmurrd fnr his rc'UinNal; (lu*y
had . nrri’f’tlrd, ami pnt aimthrr ill his plara (n ra*lra s ihrir rirlds in
(hi and nthrr n* pr^f (hr ( ‘nujLH'a that wa :i‘lri’lrd with (In* nrw
Ih'r iili'id a Ki'd him tn .•ri'K (hr radnr.dinn nf ihi Iradi* npnn Ihr
trrm whirli ihi* admlni tratimi (hay had turnad nu{ had, (hid apd'aa
inn’ tn thrin. In | h} thrir rriui;’ air: s,
Ilnw Wa Amlrrw dark nm tin* fr-ank nid s.ohliaix In apprnarh
thr P>ritish Mini tiw witli iiirh an applirnlinn^ Wha ha (<i spaak
In tham with a dniihlr tnn^ua, wa. ha In miiu’a his words, and, as
dip!nmali‘.i id’trn dn, talk mnrh withnui r:ayin;Lr anythin^:, nr was
ha tn ^paak (n tham a^ ha did ^ (n say, W'i(h (ha di -rllssinns and
allarratiim that tnnk plara halwi'cn ynii and tny (iradari'ssnr.s I
da>iri* tn ha\a a iittla In tin a . pn:- ihlt*; wi* hava liad nitr dilla.r-
■fi
r-
y.*<
IJi'
K
A-’
'f
¥' ^
A
*1
I
528
AM ICKH’AN II IS'rnllK ‘Ah AS-^i n*l A’l’loX.
ciK*(.‘S about: tluMU aiuon^* oui’st'h it i ' ullii’inil lor ynii ibai (he
claim ^ct u[) by (bnu was by (bcm.-chc- w it lalrav. ii, ami i . iiut w-
vivcd by mo; you have a riy;bi to n'l'iisc what vve a- k it ynn think
it against, your intcri'st. to (’ontaaln it, but ynn ba\«‘ m> im)ral right
to rofusc us |)rivilcg<‘s wbirh you grant to (Ubtu' naticai , am! uom*
at. all to grouiul snob n'ln-a! on past (liib‘i‘rm‘«‘s botuciui yon ami
my proilcoossors ami I admonish you, tbendon*, re -ptad fully but.
lhanly, of Uu‘ idbad whitdt such ;i course is cah’ulatcd tu cxm’l upun
the feelings and disposil ions of I la* pmplc of the I'nilcd Stai{*s,
That, was, in substanei*, what lu‘ said, and it. wa*. tla* only languagi*'
be. could (‘onsiml to nst\ It 1 the language wiiicb all n.atiutn sino
ilarly silualetl tnuplo3^ It is the only way in which (buntric.. in
jui’ioiisly ail’e.elod l^y tiu* <|uarnds of iliphuuati ( > can hope t<j n‘ctil’y
their era'ors. It. is the straight forward hoiu'st \\ay. An iiiatancci
of a similar rocoursi* is deserda'd in a letttu* frtan Mr. jKd\\ard|
Kvt‘roit, onr Ministt*r to lOnglaml, to Mr. Wh'hrtcr hinrclf, uhil t
Seertdary of Sta((s as follows:
,M». I'a-fUJcr m Mi;. Wn’.nr:.
1 ,1 1. \ i jti.N t»j no t M I i i» Si \ n .a,
l n)uh>il. liii th'fnl " th, /Sp.
I n‘c{‘h-(‘i{ in) Die l!arrl Instant a nnu* j'r«'nj I.*»n! MwaUrrMi mu ihi- M'ri.’an
S(‘izin*c.s, ill ri'ply in nut* ait«ln';' ‘‘*el tn him li> -Mr, ;■ ? ‘.nu .m,* in ilm hr l la'iir-.
oT Ills i'(*siihMir(* in lamdnn, ami wlitcli. as ii a)»|-rars. lUU nut rnm h I.*»ril AIms*
Uiam’s lniinls till Mr. S(t*\cnsnn hml hn’i l.nmlmi, r.iim* inm’ nm i n!a)r»*
Ixd’nrc I cntild jirivi* a <h*tajle(l atewer (n (his nntnnmtu«'at h»ti. I llmiichf if hn.i
at nnci" (n aclumwliMlac ils riTcint, tiM‘\pn'. N m.\ • at i- I'in'linii aS It * di n.r.dtmali*
t.nm*, and (n animnnci' llm ptirpn.sn nl’ rcjdyina In i( ai ••nnu* Tidurt^ pt*rmd. Tim
I’ri'sidcid, I lliink, will l>c sirnck with llm murlmtl chance in the fnm* ni’ ihi*
pri‘.sc!d ministry, ns inanllcsU'd in (Ids mdc and a ri‘rnmr ntic addrcs-.iMl (iy
herd AlH*r(hM*n tn Mr. Stcvmcnn, cnnfrasti'd vsith (in* la I nMiimuniic.ii inn t’rnni
Lord l’almcr.s|<»n nn the same snh.jo’t. 'rim diUnremM' is particularly appari'iil.
in Lnrd .Mmrdeen's lei ter l<» me cjf tlu‘ goth iiet. \nl ntd\ 1-. (he rlaiin oT
(treat Urltain r<*lali\t* tn the rUdd td' (tetaininc 'ar.ptrinu . staPnl in a
tar less (‘xeepi innahli* mammr limn it had !men dnim h\ j.nrd i’alnmrann, hnl
Unrd Alu*rdeen i*\pn*s.vly deetines h(*in;! rn.'ipnmslde tnr the l.tncnacn ir nd hy Ids
preiteei'NSnr.
A (jtie:dion had ht*en long nmlm* ilis’Uv.ifm hetueen the Iknirli h
(xo\’i*rnnHdi( ami that of tlie rnitinl Stall's, a veiw inpHudaiit ques-
tion which might any day di.stiiii) the pi*aee of tin* tuo eiuintrie:,
iuvoh'ing the rig'ht of search, reeimtly so sat isfaelorily di |a)sei| of.
1,/ord Palmerston, Ministt*r of fori'ign alfair- in the admini. t rat ion
of Lord iM(dl)ourms had claimed that, right in hi-; eorre ^pomtenee
with Mr. SteA'e.nst)n. Undm* a I'hangi* of Mini-dry, in both eoim
ii’ies, thai corresiaiudeuec was eonlinued, and l..ord Aherdeen, oeeir-
pied the same position uiidei' the administration of Sir liohert
‘ Aiulrinv SU^veiiHim.
Ar'rcjruHt,!: MM? \ mi \\\ im
(Vcl, “ wIh'Ik" ;i ♦ !<:i*I .n-i-’ti I t'll ia tlii*
;(HU‘afilii‘ iMiaii h Min! ha." \‘‘rrilt'* n !i }.L a? i)?*' ! in*MMrn
:)f iMf. K\nt'i‘(l, '‘ant <ia!\ ?!<*' .Imih r»!' la Man r*-h.
live (a rii.r!{l <^t’ «irt:uaiaM’ n \r in :i far . r\
.•t‘plionnl)h‘ ninnnnr thnn tiiai in vxliirli u innl Im ' Ii a •'!!»' 1 1»\ Lmi-I
Palnuav^iua hat ..•■na. . - ^ ‘ • '
y$\ lii f\ lu '‘lir n:i r Irul Mrril i‘\
cil in;:C iliUVnann*'. \n naaird (n th»^ nliua at mi..* tatu* .f up i»v
Vr(*.sitli*U( rhu'k ntT mI* a|»»>H thn -ai'Mr. f ai »!' pafj': fh^
claiiiU (lu»a‘»'h ttl^ tM|Urat1\ w if hih au lu h-nl uah it afl^fidaur * m’
atinns, hrnkj'u oil' tin* iat tt»a. nk-a? Jart. ^^4 tr
vivinfr (hn nlaini that Innl hri'ii rt up ami uaiu-tl Mr. .
and ht'in‘r
hi?
11 i‘ir
t hi
t‘ :r}r
r|r,l r\pun
rnt nf ihlh'irnf %t<-V
. . U i
pari of i!i<
r t‘
h»r wilt
no hr
:r'trd, irl’i
i rd If! djr n»r«anit?
MJJ
It;.
si it lit nth to
hr
hrld
rr
puo
ddr ful' h
at had h^ '-u dun.* In
in: 1 M
.d.
('(‘rsstir. W hr
rr i
tin
‘ dith
•rvar'r h«4v.
r,'|| 1 hr tin* :r r f
r iti
]n\ sht>\\ n.
It
i'. ui
nt 1
[n hr
duuhfrd Mi
iif f hi* dipt. ?r .u
.ill ‘. 1-
i.f
vwvy uatiali art* fall (»f r.ifialar [.rtuH** . hnn .
Mr, \\'?‘li (ni‘ ;:iu initliiaa' ‘*\f r.na MUi.rf \ uj tU- *4'
Alx’rtlntaa ni>r Uunhi tin- in t;?nii»*n Mr. M- 1,^* - ^ . .. ■
hiaai ri‘t’ar»li*»l in a •hih-n-u! l -ht t J ■’■ ,< a’-- . . j
(lu‘Ii‘ hi‘ina* tail! In-inm (** u\*it , hj'! n*'* m-^ ti j r- u ■] M . u-^
la Kn.ulainl,
'riu*:?* rtnnai'k ha vt- a lt'trn!\ In-m I'.n ]■■■ , a 4 .. t ,4
Ill'll iutriMknh hill Ifiii t tVi^hnr niifttl uill « \' M .■ l n-r t h ? .* ■*
wluai (hi\V drrplv a. ^ » r- - ; i t r ..4
nnr U[?nn rliarartrr ami ‘.um ^ v.rn- .-4 n h ? f .
(‘X{*r( a fatal i-lFta’t. A hnv juf)r«‘ ul> at !»»!t th-- ?4 m. - t ill h*
{(isini:': iah
wn ‘ nUi* i’ratfua* in tin* *• isan artinu. avi %-r
known it) ilm puhlir wlhrh, fhnu^ii it onMinr ns.nir |f:i- Ui fioMnnr.
lH*{{(’r or W<»r.sn, ttnr i- onfltlrii lu Jii 1 - ?»• - ni;* iht*
of Srnnir. Ina-aU «* that ImhI;, <inl u>d nf 4, u.ir„ |„ ihq.
I)i‘ (Iniaartl to pn: r ullirirni uitrir f fu |u nfv > *4 of Mi.
Mrl/ain* \va n<>t dimrtrti hut ]irnn?ft’il, in lu >h ^ f . .um
(o (hr liritish (h«^ \*n-vM. nf ilc»- uhi.'<'t^ j;-,,.,,
iuivt* hiaai tufuli*, \\;l- ilunn lu. -u n um:-. u ,. I ?»
((ilrslrit liim, a :.onn a. hr ua api‘u:nt'-if , ii * uht tju lur n.. i if • ti- m
inforinatinii rr?)iu {irarlirai fmn mrus- 1 m th«‘ ti-rh* :i.nh., ;d th.*
sanu‘ (non, infornir*! hint that if h,* v. a » n h; tfn- ;r. mu lun u.-
ha hud Jnadr with thr u!dr»'t v,hil f in t , Vi^laur 4 i tifu n
distnisri'd, tn inukr aiii unn*' t iuir lu i '-.nard f m In in Inn fn.;.- v hr h
M,: Mr *r.
ro :h
raTisr,
\tu. 'J.
AMKiUf'AX iii,-'r''i:i‘ \i. A i\ri"N-
r),‘U)
111 ' (Uoiio-hl miii'lit !"• u i'fiil. Ili-'.v v.uiil.l !.,• I,-.-, n.
Ih' iililiiiui'il till' iiil'i<nu:Uii'ii I il.' uvl ;in'l ni lii.-
t-aiiiiu' it lu' maili' nI i i'."! "I’ ‘ iiara -i.-'- 1
most promiiu'iit of wliii'li ''a- iSio I'nll. o', m." ;
Now U ^I'l'iiis III nil' I'li'iu'. itnil .ilS'i' Ou- it
■li uuh j'l. ‘a Ill'll.
li'liiT ri iiniiilliii
h;i\r ii;nnrt|, iln*
’■tMil’i IMiHU \ k \ tjji;
p>vrniini‘iil. and hi liu* situation in whi.-h t!*- I.t' - ti.ttiMji hi -
Mils silbjnfl. Wo aro pn-t’linlod Hi.i-a nju tiin ■ ?.'■ -ar-isno. aii>
nssuinod jaior !«• \K\\\: and that tho »ad> i«hh ri U it i .M-,puio t p uti.'ijm
linn in this lra«h' ai*«'fM*dlir.‘ to tin* fotiu . njM. to tlo' •'-..frof , •! ti> tUo
Itrilisll anl of is*.::,. 'I’lir MOl.iM,:: .. r r, a ■ jM Soj
till' h'inpol* aiaJ inioro-l *d‘ tin* IhHi U t h t,-ia ; iJiitr douu-stl,’
I'oIHlilioiit lliostalo t if a 1 1 a i i’*' iti iMirono, and fho r, r » t m| i >«l.tui.d poiP'y
upon llioir own Island .. .\nd tin* o .uv i.las.n n. ?,.* ,j . .i a.voidtn. to <ir
iMiinslanrt's not innv to ho o!o'U*l> tors-s on.
I inoliiii* fo Iho o[titn«»u, thoroioro. lh.;i td.o 1-t .1 n.o^h- i. vo.ln. thr‘ n.-; ,i
(ialhni on this point uiil la* tloUoat r}\ , htn with ♦■.uaioar and linono p,
^,',i*;n 1 tia n,v disronins't tlio pro out \duniii a ra.lioj! «•; ila* \tuoi r*a:i t ao, ♦ i >a.a>-iu
rt-oni {In* i-rror.s and prof»*irion. ».j iho pa.*; fo .p omsoo, f ih>- o.a .f ili.*
inloroNls and toinpor ol' tin* b/o : a ..n? ; fo hou f ria* jn.’a pm ti, «l
h\ tho hito oxooutiso wa in opoo itn.u tv* tho ?.«• lo • o; d *- \ toit.'.!n
Pt'oplo, u ho, ha’vlnj'; appliod tho onl> t oi. .? tfuf lonaJ OMiia . r» .o b-r « ,..iufr>.
havi' .solonlod an Ailndnist rat i»*n v.dli lnMi-r \a'V. . .n.d t ilipr-.. :;! poprv ;
that tin* lU’o-'.ont uppoal to tito ld»-ralit> a.no: l»i lifo -■ tlr- ii lUif.-io, t,
on tiohali’ of Iho Ti'.ipio, that < h*', ornoi.-ij udl ;aa| ? on.iof in ihi . .mu
r<’.*tsiiin, in onooMraaiio tin otiorp i*- awiiii:..: it -‘ii ><i fPi. r i i \ \ fo .idapao
hivot I'rato pro.iudivf , and, h> a »oa ojv.dd' r.aa d Mn ■ ’ < ■. Mtt- ..nnda
laMi of lUlni’o harnion.v in otir nd.iiion . aid ot la ? ,t.i;.*o.ij; in fiiv li.tdo,
ir tln*so oonaidofat ion lad. t- .p. . ia haU.aoij j.j*- . d. a o.-.a .i‘»n
nni.\ wafraul, in oonurrUou uitii tho .»r fl;«- u.d.ilo no
olhor oonr*,o opoli ’1 hi t onr j nio-nt .d! Pai,' p»ii«a;,id n oap;,.
find win ho wi‘ll faisfainotl h> Ih** I^ op^^*
^riiis ih*ri.d‘ (ion u:i* I'arriod t,ut ]«\ f!io ui hioln<i< iu ila* p,!
low i no; ucM'tl :
ir tho ninia' ii»n oi tin t losorinHont to a** i-pt lOi tp,* sit.i ,*t, uIhh
Ina'tdororo olioji tl, ho nr.a'd a an oldor tiMn n* f?., u- .oP«i-. j*i3» 3««oa, sf ^%i!} )i»'
ymir dnl\ (o inal.o llu* Itrili h t o‘\, oi innriii t*;i- d-lo fit da inh- .ojd iiH-ip-*
dii‘no\ or ' Uoh a oour o,
ddio Mj jporl tnutio'; whioh uni hiUt* doji\od fron, j part h ip.tS joj, Ui oui' pnhHo
<*oiinolls, as woll as o!h»*r situr,-o. or ini'orniat jon, w.dl » nahh >.on i,, pi ai. wdli
I'onhdiMioo (an far us \on niu> d«'oin if prop, r and n *dui o ti, ,ii,i ot da* fa* pox*
|}U‘ paftf: lakoli h.v tho.s** |i» whom th»* adndni 1 ration i«t shi bo.ormm id i . n«!W
ooimnit tod, In ndnlloii to thoooiu' «* la*rotot»no par iiod iip«»n tho .nPioof oi tho
oidoniul t ratio. 'Tholr viows tipou that point itu\o hoou .nhmitto«t t., i!a* pi opl,'
ol’ (lio Idillod Stulos; iiinl fln‘ oouiisids h.v wlthdi .unir oi.ndin i I . fiow ditoi fod
aro tin* rosult ttl’ ila* .ludMinunil ovprossi*d hy iho t»id\ oartljl.i. fidoin il Pj wha ii
lla* lull* adiniidst r*ath»n Wa* anionahh* for Its not s tl iaaiM t‘o nihriont that
tho ohdni.s ^ itp hy Ihoni, sual whi«‘h osinsi tl ihi* intoi rupl ioji ..r fla- trado In
tpio-'llon Inivo Ikmsi i*spUollly ahaudonod hy tlaoa* wdio hr i a . ortod fhoiu, and
aro not rovlvtsl hy tUolr suc'oossors. ir <»roat t'.rlialn doanr if advoi” ,* to la*r
Inttd’t'sts to jdlow ns in purl iclputi* in tho Irado with hor rfdo!,!,- , and hnrl-;
> McbaiH* lo Vuu Uiiroti, .ruia* 11. IStMi. In fl,,' \an ruju t» Papto -
W ViiUUn.nWlW nr MWVVW VAN lU ItKN.
Ml
Iiodtilu^ in dn* r\trlt 4<'{( «‘{ if {«» Mfljrr . S‘< judliri^ h»M' Jm ;trrf> fh»* full* t<»
US. ShrUiH, U t' )»•* .»‘U ».} f hr pf > ul’ |*hr’ilif:- hrr' rr*i U -.d t*H thn.r
^rollini-'. T'’ ’^-*‘5 np f hr ;i* l , m! I hr .r hsHUi .! r.if imi :j - f hr run r r}‘ f urf ri I urr
ol’ pri N i ulurh U«»Hhi MShrruPr hr r%irli»iri| tr { hr pnijih* *»!' j iir t isipMl
SlaP's, wnihl, undrr r\r sitr.\ t irrinu fuiu . hr uniu i n* w rlt^ :iih 1 rnuhl umI hiH
|u r\rilr ( hi*il' tlrrpr I rh il»sUf>. 'iltr fM^rfh IrrliU;; uhirh a «'nur «' »« unu i r
{I ltd UttP'Ualdr r. rahuhiP'd P* pt Mdn* r N\ Miihl dnuhl Ir- In' ai raf 1> .i;‘ i'.n a t rij hy
1 In* (’nti'rtiUl Hr I tl.iit t P r.il lU aaili Is.ts, h \ nrdrr ilt t ‘nUHrll, ♦ipriu'd hrr rrlulu.ll
porN tr Utr ia and Traurr. u»*lwiUi tandltaa a iiailar i*jiu p*u rit tla ir par! h«
urt'rpi thr irnn . r’lt'i’i'd h^ ! iir ati
VuU rallltof Jil'r Uu’i \ U'%\ Ml' Ihr ath|rii trn raJ‘Ilr'.!i> Uprtt Ihr run hirraliMji
{>(' tlir I’rifi it Ahid !r>. If fja - hraritnvi atul rrlafimi i rhaf rrarh hr.\Mud flu*
iutittrtliaft* i{tir d|Mi!t uutlrr dl -rtr sr'ii/
It is «liu‘ in tliH StMiaft' tu uy that tlu'V ipiinraut nT ihi>
cirruni' tann* wlirii thr_\ uiiaiiiutnii !\ rMiitlrmnl lltr lunuuial inp nf
Mr. M<’Laut* Itir tin* tdlirr nt Smrtars nt i!ir *1 rra:airy. I ht^v niily
kiirw that 111* hati iHplrrtakrii tlir ihitir. a ipn***! tn liiiu aral ha*!
cnlrrtsl iijMin ihrir prr hnaiiaiaa* uitli a I’nll kutJvJanlpt* td thr ip
.s| I iirt inp , uhit’h tla-y mpdrippisl ptr fur uf'itipp. !»n( it i. a! n
(Iha In truth tn a\ that t hry uunhl imt, U! all jusihahi lit \ , ha\r
arhal dilFrrrtttly if thrir ipInnuatiMp ha«l laphraff'd fhr {art I
liaaitinp, l‘tir Pndivr. that [»rr\aitr»l in thr fur Piy irjrrtinip
nitdi\r. u lurh lia»l in rraiit \ ludhinp tn *1*1 v. ith (hr ip u p'-Hmi* ,
liitl tad rrarh Mr. M*’haUr, aipi il thr\ had. hi > pnpuuafptp Inr (hr
|j|ni‘r td’ Srrnd.ir\ unuhl till ha\r hrrp rppiirPH‘d, "Thr pirat lr\ri’
hy uhirh thr a«’tinu uf tin* part) iu uppu ttiMp tn l*rr alrpt dark
.sim’ - ahiuiin iratinii uaa uaAnt a urll a*, thr rupilapnad al (dsaurpt
t>r thrir sttrtiplip ua (hr puUrp m|' thr Ihuilv nf thr I pit-'d ,Nfalr,.
'khry urr»* tluap r.rvrral yrat-. in ah^anrn «d' thr r\puattnu nf d
I’harirr. alamf tn pa., a I’hl! fnr it r\trp inp; aipjjji j thr pa apr
of that hill thi’V ryprrti-d ihr Ih'r .i.Irpt V, I . hn ;Up 1 thr luri jpr and
( 1 h‘ udo utaa* dr ipptsi ti» hr thr prr.af i air u|<np uhirh tlir Ihi- i
dpptial rlrrtiup, uiliMl ua ft» jr- hrld hrflp-r (hr r|n r tt{ (hit irai,
U a.r to iir mptr frd. .Vlpnpp Mr. Mrhaur' . fir t a*'! , ultra rUfri ipr
Upon tip* dutir. (d' thr ^^i!irr nf Srrr, -tar) fM (hr 1 I ra Uiv , U hsrh
Was hdip hrfnrr |hr Sriiatr artrd upnp In pi auitiat r «u, ua tin*
iraosiuisNiop tf> llu* Siatatr nf hi - ntliidal ifp'^t opMp t'.r fiiijiM ,- , sp
wllirli lu» ili^irp : rtl at haipth uud Udli prrat ftinoilit’. . (hr ipu- tp*p
as lo (hr rNplsUmrV nf rrrhartrriiip' thr r\i tspp Irapk id tlr* I Ultrd
Siatf*s. and rarnra!) rronippirpilnl it. ri*Miarli*i' a mripu' nf
whirh llir Ih’r idiajf ua knnun tn di apjim^r, and a!*'ain J thr mp
SllUpnal iop nf uhirh. hr iulrpdrd tn ipfripn r ap*! did IPfrr pi* r hi
vv /n. ddir pat ty fippo a**! tti t trprj'al Jarli inu's \dmifd f rat inip and
whirh pn!MV.M*tl sn Piau\ Ultr . ip t !ir SrUatr, luipht, undrr prh
‘ tii*arn<alo!i.i. Im ,ts;p '*». 'U...- j tn ssp.".-! Ms-.*’ nf-s-P-r.
Jlli, p. lUJT, V;tu Pun ti'jj ‘pit > 'f fh' Orrt .»tf p* V-'.n lUnrp t*a|s« ffll.
f.ircunisiaiuH's, lus \\h‘ 11 have laiil i!n*tr anu-. a !ia\«‘ ir
j(‘('((al Mr. McLaiir's noiuinat i<ni aftrr th»‘ rr4’i‘|i( inn l»v ( *ou;.\r(v s
aiul j)ul>rK‘ati()n of (hat ihaaimnit. 'I'tu‘y ri>alil unt dn sn uith afrty
io (lu’ir own iiitvirsts ami (lu‘V uoulil not dr* irr*! tlo n jf
llioy c.onhl.
liiiL llm ooursn pursiual auaiibt tm* hy \siio tho.
adion of Urn S(‘na(t% harsh ami viiulirtnt' a; it mud In* atlmiftinl
(o have luHMi, was luarkial [>y a rraltin*, in tlu* maumu' of t-arryiuii;
(>ii(. (heir di’si^n, t'sjnn’ially (dVen.'- ivt‘ to the meral ; lue e of the fnni
muiiity. I ailmle to (he arrangement presimi ly entiUHal into l)e.
tw('(ui (laan that (he vo((* of the ImhIv r-houhl l»e made a tit* and the
final ({iii’slion (*on.M‘ijuent ly In' deeidial iiy tlie ea tiny; \n(t‘ nf tla*
\ i(*e President, so that (sieh seel ion of the it ion. tlie (duNite ,
( ’alliomdtes, atui Ihe renmant <d’ tdd rtMprali t win* aft^nl with
\\’i‘hsU*r should eaeh hear (heir full proportion i\( re pou dulitv
Tor (lu*. act. dda* isvltml to whirh the p i^at itioat ion of tiu' mnn*
lii;L!:hly (‘xeitinl finding;: of Mr. (‘alhoiin and hi; frimel (mti're«l
“into (he indueeinents for it; etuumi mm, and the .ruallue , a.
well in wi'i^ht^ as ntimher, id’ (heir ffn-re on the tlotir of the S«ma(t%
^•a\a*, it, must. Ik* admitted, eoir iderald»* plan iliildy to the arram»:r
tnenl re /^’a n 1 i n (he whoh* proeeialinp; a. a ipirtion of pjditieal
loss and ^'aiin a eon./nhu-at ion di aw>urd ni (h«* /V /ev/v;/*//
not(' and ni‘V(‘r for a inommd lot i-inhl of h\ Mr. Weh ter. ()f
the faet that sneh a .stijmlnlion wa e\a»i«*d ami eufornal lliere i .
no room hu' tionht. d‘ht* eliarned it di tinetly at the tiim*
and I am iurormed hy tinea* in wlnan I lent* fnll «'oididenet% uml
who we,re in tlu* way of kntjuiu^.C. that neither tin* Senator; tliem-
si‘lv(‘s nor tludr supporters. e\er atlVetetl to deny tlie urranoeiueut .
Mi\ IS Ik P)lair, in (Jiis month of April. Is.vj. tlnnnah muv aiiiui*:
politieally with (he follower: n! (‘lay ami \Vt*h ter and ha\ iu*x no
relaihuis with im* o(lu‘r than tho t* of per *jnal frieml hip ami ri*
eiproeal resptad, \vrih*s mi* upon the : nhjeet a hdlowr, 'M nmimu
hi‘r svell (hat it. (the arran^mmmt to make the tie} ua; o thor
oufi^hly understood on all side in the Seuati* a to he eummon talkA *
and nssi|i:ns many irrnnmU for hi statement whieh I do not thndi
iti Worth while (o repeat ht*re, I hi* e\! tenet* ol tn*h an a^reeimml
moreover hdlows irn*si;tildy from the manner in whieti the \i,fe
was p^iven and the tie produeed. N(‘ver was tlien* })t‘rha}» a euuvr
-scrutiny or a inori* active drill of any ptthlii! hotly, or ttm* madt*
umli'r more skill fid traim*rs, or an oeea-ion on which mon* mem-
hers, in propoi'tion to (he numher of tint, t* enirageth wept* notoriou 1\-
persuaded (o vo(e aixainst (heir iuelination .
MS. V, Te.
Arrll C.*i, in Om* Vuu Unti-ti eai»t i i.
Ar'ruiuHi^r.AiMi \ ur \\\v:v\\ van uniKN.
naii
\\'lu‘ii tlii* \s:\ t:i!vrii Prt*ni i mT \'i‘riuniit ;inil (»r Kvn
liit'ky wvVi' tilt* t»tU\ Sfuatiir Pn'uti . \\a;; an upright lUjil
fair tnaa l»iit an »*arnt‘Nt m 1»1 h*‘lt‘rali I, aiul I iirraforf .'^nmr
what prtvjutlitHMl atiain t uh\ t»ii{ a wa ut^ll llntlt*r^‘.^oluI, ht* ilis-
liktul llu* unrk mu fur t!u* Sruati\ Stilt, if hr U;ul hmi prr.;-
ml, Ilf v^t'uhl luiMN in all pnihahility mUimI a*ratu t tlir nmuiiiatiun;
at all fVtuhs, hr wnnlil liavr tiuirly tif what lu‘ inlfiiilfd
(0 tin. Huf h{un| 4 ’ rtadiy an iinalitl io an r\tmt whirli Mimi car-
rit'd luni to his nra\c, iir krpt hi * Inal.
Uihh, whose %ntr ritht'r way wouht have drhaitinl the arran^t*-
jjjrnt, wa-i a mi td' dafkmi ('lay Cathmiu Utauticrat, who aiinril
at nauainin^ U{Hm fricmily tenua witlj all thrci’; u dillicidl pn:,i.
tinu, hut one whifh lie sau’ft^fdrti in t»ffnpyin‘^ us tt> (la* two la(tt‘r
miUhimiU AlllioUidi in fact tlrcidinllv hoNtilt' to uhn t*itlirr from
tins prouiptinp^: of hi own hear!* m* niadt* mi iUro’ (hr inllucncr
of othii’ , Jny frinul - had In'cn led it? rxprti his :aipport on Ihisi
tu’caraon. The. illniMM of Mr. Prmfi s all'ord«Mi him nti opportunity
to iihlir.e ids frifud'^ Isy Id; u!» fufr and at the sanu* time to avoid
a I'Uptun' with Cirneral tlafk on, thro' win* r inllufucr hr Inul hrrn
i‘Itsifil to the Senatis Ih* wa in thi* (’apilol when (hr \olr was
(alien; he clainM to ha\e lieru in the Su[ireme (Niurf Konni. Mr.
Hlair inforimsl me, on my return, that he wiis iti (he lihniry; the
(udy dillereiui^, heilur ^Inu the hitler was on the . ame lloor with
and the former directly under ihr Senate i’hamher. Hi, almuu’t*
was he\nnd tlouht intentional and the reas;na for it is sera in (he
urranrement of wldfli t am peakinii. (‘c*k lienton, who was a
memUs' of iftr Senate aud jU’e eu! at this timts treat, the furl
tluil. tlie twot taiffr i^r t ii* . were intentional, ami a fidlillnumt of
the nsiidrenieiit of the othf*r leadt*r . tliai Mr. (‘allioun' '. \ote .should
Uppi'ar oil the is^rold, wa. e fahli hed. Ih* nirntioli - ulso that Mr,
Calhoun said to a Senator, in Ids fiearin*^ and peaking' <if ne*: ** It-
Would kill hittn Sir! kill 1dm dead! lie will m*ver kiek. Sir! never
kieki" A rtrikinp eoimlerpart of the orl|dmd uiiiele in tlie y*,/f
y/vz/ds already quoted.* Sneli eont i i\ .'irn’eri are ne\er thoindit of
hy puhlie men in the diiudfied di eliarrq* of pnldii' dutie , ami in
the pii'formanee of art Imi tif who e merits (hey are emea’iou In
.•‘Itsid of eeldur^ to le.ven irnknidmil re .pou ihility hy ilividin^*; it
with others tstrli is d'* ii'oti of hrlnr fonsno.st in (he entnl work.
The manner in which thi ^ atlair w,a potten iqi and pn hed throU'di,
on thi* eouirary, implied an ae know tetfrment that tlie ae( was felt
to he an unjust iliahle one !>) thr aetur; them eh . lAir the u»’
rnmpli hmeut of their ohjert tliey entered, I will not jsiy into a eon
Hpiruey, for the net wa not an ilhnra! one, htU info a eonddmuion
nnd-
AMKIUI'AN IllSTnUlt'Al. A>--itnArh.\.
lo ]iu( (Idwn a polilii'al npiiniu'id hy nii-an uhirh IiumIvimI mufli
III’ (he ci’iiiiinaiily ainl all til’ tlu' iiiiiiitualii v nf u i'"i! )iiiMi-\.
'I'lu' wlidli' pnanaaliny;- was niic uitli whifli aich lui-u a. ('|;iv
anil {'allimni (iUi;'li( novai' to Inni- lifi-n coiUK'i-ii'tl. 'Maw
n-a-ardcd (he iiiattcr in that liyht a: soon a ilu' pliicn y inio whiah
(liny had lua'ii (hrown iiy I*n'sidini( dark on'. imf\pi-.-frd lll•l•^-s
in till' adininistratiou ul' pni'lir all'aif . had ahalrd and -•Minuifin-rd
lha work of aloticnu'iit, as soon, prrhap , a-, rii-. iuitstaurr would
aihuil (>l. Ml’. (':dhouii, a.s has ht'cn rfu, hafori' llir wh>>li> foiiiiti’y
niadt* Ilia tiiiii ml, hy avti’iidiiur thi‘ hatni of fi’iaiid hip
to ina. hy .support ino my admiiii-l rat ion to it. .lo .• and hv ran iny
lha vola id' his Statr to hr thrown in favour of niy r<’r!.’>’t ion.
'I'iia ralativr politiral position.': of Mr. (‘lay and in> .df w. r.- .iirh,
(hat a .similar ^•ou|•.-.a was no( op.-n to him. I'mi from ihr pmod
of whirh I am now writiiur to thr day of tii .lisitli. a far a 1
know or hava rtan:on to hrlirvi>. he in\aria!>ly poko of niv prr onal
I’harartarand roiuhirt with rr pn t and kindnr- , Mdi.-n I Ir.u.dlr.l
ihronoh thr .soul lirrn ami wr.sirrn .'stair , in Ispy j,.- .-nt to .orrd
piiiiils prassinnf invitation to mr t.. \ i it A Idand wha ii 1 a-vrpt..d.
•spandiny a vary ayrrrai.i.- wrrk in hi family . irrlr. Ih- nh a
Ijurntly a( my rnpirsl ■•antr to LindrnwaM. 1 invitrd hi poliilcal
Irirnds within my rrarh to rail upon him at my hon vUin h ihrv
did in fTrral nuinhrr hr pas.srd rvrral ila\ v\iih nir nio t plra .
<uit 1\ and soriahly; wr talknl mar old .saaiia . without ra aria, niv
.son.s rsrorird him to .Vlhaiiy and I want with him thoindi iitl'arini'
Irom yoiit, as )ar a.s thr railroad . lati.iu, wharr wr parfa.i nairr
to ,sra rarh olhar ayain.
.Vital- ha had fa a lahli. had friaiidlv ralali.iiis with hi : aarh ami
ilavotad frian.h, Fram-is F. Hl.iir ami Iti.s tary intailim-ut ami as
I iiualda w'lla. ha fraipiaiitly utnl iii lha warma I larin . a\pra ad
In Ilia loriiiar lha par onal ra.spaal and rayard ha aniarlainad for
ina, rafarrail to this vary maflar of ilia raja.-tion of my nondnali.m
and, whilst avowiny lha inaarity of (ha siaw.; Im dian to<d. .d' it.
.still aarnastly a.\pri’:..sa,i hi.-s rayrat (hat tin- ali'air had mar .i.-aiirra.l.'
Mr. Hhiir aommuniaatad (ha a oh arvation to ma am! I n-.-ipro
I'utad (ha faaliny: (hay inatiifa: (ml with all mv haarl. Col. limit,. a
was than wrifiny hi-, T/, :,■/;/ y,„r.s in //„ s'. ami Im ant ma
naaasionally lim .haal.s of (1,,. lir.st vuinma: auiony than, (ho aom
taininy his aaauiinl of Mr. Clay’s aoiidnat in (ha alction of .Mr.
Adams, whiah had l.ami so violently a -ailad. and a!-o of the dual
with Kandnlph. I’laasad with (ha liharalitv avinaad hv tha ( 'ohmal
(mvardsa parsonal and politmal aiiamy. I a'xpra' ad mv •ali .faation
m u aumphmantury iattar to him, and a.mvinaa.l that .Mr. Chiv would
MH. V,
\l «•} VA\ lU'ltlA.
f) t > i )
l)i‘ nn l»‘, th:in f»y Immui! uiajt* auarr of (lu'
fa\ nil la- *lt‘ \ !i'\% uliirci uiir hr rajikiMi aiuMii** hi* l^lllrrr (
Uw iiiUMiiirti tu !i »»{' pMiut-- ti|»«iii \vliii‘h lii . ii* . h;nl
Inaii, jn'i'Iiaf' , innrr .tk-t‘pl\ than in ri* ptai tu any
(ua'lirnaina iu lu puhli'* iilr, i aait thr : uh: hmri* Ilf llu‘lH tu Mr.
Ihair. uith a t thaJ la* Imuk ! amhrai'j* ninr iiitakla ncr:r- ion,
{il war. ilui'iu**' Mr. ( lav’ kr^t illut* 1 t{» f^iiumunirat «' thrnu lli'
(litl rn am! uihtrmtal rur .h' tha luatiHia* in utiiiii i\u' rnmuuiniraf inn
wa- ail. ! Iir larauin. t aiua* niular u tiiah it wan inatla wan’t'
iutrrr t inn air! ‘ c riKinn.
Mr, lUuU' ha\iun ifrrivnl iny lt‘flrrantl ha \ injjr t akrn it with him
fur till* pi;rp«* *’ •»! niipartin*f *1 ininnh , Mr. (1a\ in( rtuiimnil tlu‘
tihjtni of t!ir hMi4. th*' i ’Mkairl ua pii'parimA :im! :ii<l hr pn* mnnl
it u nulk I hr liUre | 'A h !i annra\ at rii < 1 1 pla \ nf t hr \ inhatt jri: ■ hni t hr
niithnr h;ifi r*\lijhilr*i in hi- pfilii 5 r;il 1 ( 1111 ’ i^ *rhr r nanai'k- ‘ra\r
Mr. r»lair an aduui ahtr uppi»!!nnit\ tu r\inaiir hi . ruiniui • -inn, aJul
1 nrrti nut :ai Irn*. hr a^ailrt[ hinr^rlf uf it. Mr. ('la\ wa :
tlrrply inoinl. ihanknl n hi»th. aiiil ai*! t hr infuriualiun hr h:nl
rrrrivr«i ti'aihi, f'urthr !r»rl priiuil hr had \r{ (u li\r, hr pinailittrd
in f-Srll fljr lulijirn r n* vJiiill I? ua u UrI! rnllflrd u\ rr U hal
hr mi‘di! hair tu if, ».!’ t^dMind tirntun, I will add that uiy Irttrr
In (hr t uha.d r^pif - nr rf Ini rn r «d I hr rfrdlt In u Inrh till-
part uf In rnt{flr,i Inm %\:i . irad hi him :i*irral yrar aftrr
Mr. ( la*/ dritfi. daniin h? rania frr (hr lluii r tif lu’pi'r rutri
tiir , in ptnliuii uf li, drin. t v. hrn- Mr. ('lay', frirml , wnr \rry
immrrun .. r fh»* naiuf* uf tlr- u latrr, and (litaimdi it
ht‘ r>aurd iuaan \*ai , and pr»»hahly hi rlrriiuii, hhrthrr rum
lunuiratiru pa id urt Ai-rn \Iia (dai aarl in^ rlf thruurh uiir nmfmil
frirjid. Mr, Id nr, du u |m /. nhui a h'li dal . uf !u drathd
Mr. \\r,u n-r’ rn uihf I .• jr Hrirr, 1 pir uiur, iri'v drr[dl
di trr rd !»l t hr rM|r,.-a*n nr ».f f hr }!iin far hr had duJtr tu a
pulltiral (•pp«i’irn!. Hr did ndr.l, a. uill hrjrattrr hr rrn,
llihit Ulnr r^i r (.f han.r npMli fhr -aihir^ t uf hi » mHI r (tiUald
mr un mv r<tuiu }r*»i'a Irnidand, and n!» npirntli luuk a trp in
tlir dirrrtiulj ptnij^ d u -J h^ and fu Jrr fr -!nr» . uliirfi hr
faih'd tu fidh.-A up h t .mr ’* r« n pjrumfrd, I frat\ hi <mr ut thr i»
di rirdifahlr rsniurd n riit hi r„!jtir!i hi mtiir priitiral rarrrr
ii a hrrt. "^riunr thr isapi'iirrt nhiliMii tiiat had plain*';' up !»r
tUrrn .Mr, ( lai and \!r ( ailrriu am! inl rlt hr rriurd tu think
a • iiuilar amr|n>i‘ at '* ^n y;; fhr •ijirartn" td in. prr *ma! intt'rrunr^u*
llilll nr* dr II ahlr. tn th fair .if murt hr rallrd Upuli im* wlu! t
Ur Url'r h(»t!i SU N r a. ’^urk, r-i Ur-rd rul'dialitl and r\prr'’.rd
a Iruun' dr ,irr iha? I hu dd it Ihi.tun. 1 tuld lum that my
- l ,a-.. IV' • 5. J.- -U Un . -f « v.inn , Mav.
53G
AMKIIH’AN' lllS'rniiH’AI/ .\SS( H ’I A'l’h > N.
IricMul, j\Ii*. PaiiMin.i’*. nnd mvsrll' uu’ditat inir n \ I- i( !<» ( otii"
iwodoiv. ehu’k Nii‘h(jlsnn who was (lu‘U iti ruiinnaiid ai' thi‘ Inj-ion
Na \' v-v^urd and (o wlaun un waa’i* lujtli wariidv atta»‘lu'ih and I
j)r()mis(*d (o aj»j)rais(’ him (d* oiu* ai’i’ival. I h* im’i^h'd lhal 1 .- iioidd
not o'ivo inys(‘ir lhal |t*oul)h‘ as Im would ho i'orlain lo know n( my
boino* in ilu‘ Chi(y and woulil immiMliahdy find \\lu*rt‘ I ua and call
upon nu', W i' W(ml (o Ihislon, sprid a W(M*k thoi*t\ dinoci w ith ■
oral <)(• his IVitMuls; our x'isil was nnlioiMl in (lu* papors: wo laairil
s(‘.vc'ral iiint's of Mr. M'ob>{or b(*ina’ in Iht* oily, hut saw no(liin«x
of liim. I was no(- a liillo pir/zlod hy hi - I’ondnot, oaitva.'sod its
pi’ohtddo oaus^^ with Panldiny;. and, ofudidoul that lu‘ woidd lu*
found (<) havt* had a* shr(*wd tuotivo lor his lam appi‘a rauot*, I was
pr(*par(*<l also I h'ol hound to say, to iiml it oiu* td’ a ini 4v'r olinr-
jU'.i.oJA Ida* inysloiT was spoodily jtdvod. Soon aftor rny ri‘(urti
homo, whilst (ishin<j,‘ in a pond a tnih* <ii’ two from my hou o, my
■friond, Mr. Ih Hiithu* and his wifo tlrovo noar tlu* hank v\ hon*
1 was sitliu”’ and oalhal int* to (hoir oarria'S'. As I appi’oaohod I
obst*rved lhal I hoy wt'in* iuith miioli rM‘i{oil ami 1 had nt* iioiu‘r
rtau‘h(*d llx'in than Mrs. Ibitlor aski*d mo whotlior 1 hatl oon Mao
k(mzl(’.V hook’i' (In rt‘ooi\in^'; ni\“ I’oply in iho no‘»ati\o. i hov pro
pos(‘d lhal. 1 should ii;o witli thorn lo my hoti uhioh 1 did, and
on our way lh(*y inforna'd mt* hriolly that lhal onion hat notorious
pi'i’son had puhlish(*tl a hook imnh* up of privalt* am! ooulitlont ial
Iatl(*rs |o rh‘s?s‘ Iloyl, risaii mystdf ami from omo Imndroi! td' my
polilical and porsomd friomis, in whioh numhor llioy thonroho’;
wo.ri^ proinin(*nl ly luirodmaMld 'Tlio <’iroumstunoo:, of tlio t'a: o uoro
in suhstama' lluvi*. I nmiovod flo^t from (1 im niliot* «d' (’olloolor
of Nnvv York for !H‘asnns In ho horoaflm* pokon of am! aj^pointoil
Mr. dohn rl. Mor;j:an in his idui-o. d‘ho lai (or hohl Iho olliiu* a fow
yoars, whim ho was nmnnod hy Pro. ithmt Ilarri on, who appt.lulod
t1u‘ la It* Kdward (dirli.s h'stj., a aont Ionian whom Mr*, ('lay was in
lilt*, hahit of divu’rihiiiii; a- W'oh lor' man, (’urtl
In forminu* (ho opinion oon\i*yod hy thi oxpi’o aou Mr. ('lay matio
a frn‘at inislako. If I had boon a. kod (o .oloii an individual whom I
do(*mt‘d last adaplod (o tho manao'oinont id’ a politioal inlri^uo,
whi(*h was not, old of I ho roaohitfa man in hi., po at ion, I wotdtl hav o
nanu'd ICdward (’uriis, ami I m*od not say lhal anionir tho t|ualilioa
lions of suoh an ap*nt 1 would liava* dt‘onH*d il imiispon aldo that
I lit* I should not liav(‘ ho(‘n anylunly's man. Mr. Wtdr tm’ did nol
oonlroid Curlis's art ion oin* jol or liillo farlhor lhan lio thou^hl. it
for Ills iniorosf to jionnil him to do so, hut if I did no! orr on'rojjfiously
in rospoot lo llu* oharaoli*!* id* tlio rtdalioiis that o\i |orl holwoon thorn
* MrK«‘U/h‘ 'I'hr Iilv* ;i ainl Opliibui-^ (»!’ I iaiilJln mill* r. un*! .1«* .hi*
ritjyl In ISI.'i aiul 'riu' I.lfi* nml 'rhui**- of Murfin Van mir»n. In mm. 'rin* lutfiT fojo
taiurU rrttutk'Ully tin* nmni* lotti ra ninl (‘oro*ni»nml«'ru*i* um ilo* tst:, pitbUoiiOou.
AUTouuKir.APn V uf MAirriN van r.ruKX.
luM'XpriiMl a j)t*rs(U}al iullutMUM* nv^i* Mr. W'fh.irr in ifjHMa tn nu\ i
1hi( rar(*ly i f (‘{[ualhal ht'lwtuai ^rntlrmm in lla'Ir rrlati\*’
|)ositi(»ns, (’uriis pn.- -(‘sstai u fa»-ility *>1’ iiiakin**: U\u\ t‘lf (hnnHurhly
arijuainiotl with tha. i»harar|t‘r atal <li {‘ositiun uf ihn »* with v\lM»ni
lu* had luaai or* was df“ii‘t>U ' In hr hrmiyhl in rmilari and in dr\ i in*^
ttu‘. ways hy which they e(»uld In* iidhieuerth with <It‘‘*:ive;. yyntir.
ness aiul persi'Vt'rauri* in tludr applieatimn v\ hirh liirrr w a imildn.!^
in lh(‘ natnn* ninl di spd'-it itm of Me. W’rli.ttn* (n rnahh* him tn with
stamL or the (aid^-; (n which that inllninn'r wa- cMaird are! fin^
ohjecis t hatwrn* accnjuplishctl l>y it ! donut dr- inn tu prak. Ihit i|
(lu* rea< k‘e dtsd ers a ptaictii'al ilhi lratit»n ul Mr, t tiiii Kdl lu ilu*
mtina/^tancnl- nf inteirati* and ilillicnlf alFnir.. 1 n'cninmrut! him tu a
caeid’tli [JtM’Msal uf tlir papm'- in tlr* rrlrheatrd ttardni'C trand iipun
(lu* ( invm*nment ami partimiarlv tu Mr. t'urti cui-rr p«mdrurr willi
(he uilicre whu had that maltin' in rhaenc, withuul aUmiptiun; tu f*\
jdaiii <ir n*cmu*ilc tin* ei* tdt , nf hi:. intrriVnmru, tlr^ lit .1 uj' niurh
Wa:’* t liat he ptirkt*tril Sltl.nnd <»( (hr niuiu'V nainrci h\ tlu* ir.md, hut
huw apphu'd ( lud unl\ know , hut I iluiihl ma ai I \ , hat v. ah
lield fruin the (humannenl tn (hr la t ; and thr niid litat hr apptMi .
un the riH*nrd iVum an lairly preind, ri-rtainli (all a mm a v. a
(he. sti^:hti*:4 era nn in any ipia i irr t n :ippi i-lumd an ultn.ualr hh<7. rp,
as an ai’live tind tli cei'cl ad\i re ul thr nllirrr «’(' t hi* t nu n ninrsa ,
duin^ tippartmlly what hr runld in enard thr {hurnmirin i|rinj i
ln:;s and put them in thr lie i way tn ani tlirin in thr pr i' h »i maiii i* mT
(heir dntie:;, fairly i*ntitlin*A him «•!}’ to hi* repardrit a . a di iutrn- ird
and artivi* frii^ml to the puhlir intrrr t,
Ivetairdnr: an indi tinrt rrrnlli-rt i.m nf the rour«mr . of a Iriirr
fruiu Mr, \\h‘t‘d nf Athaliy, an r\rrrdinel> mnipi-triit pnlnr of tljr
cliaracier nf (hirti: ., adder rd In thmeral l*e!rr Ih Ihntrr, ,i tlir
persona! fr-irnd nf Mr. C’lay, dr iiuu'd tn rriunu* hi. oppo itum to
the ap})nintmen{ nf Mr, (‘iirti , in uhirh the mrw 1 hmr laLr
( *11 rt i.'/.s rhararter and thr rharartin' nf hi; irlation with .Mr, \\*rh
:.((*r W(‘ri* ^al laiiird, I hu\e ri'frrrrd (n Mr, t’lav' (’nr
respnmlrm’e " and Inue r-\irar(t'd fr<aa [thi‘rr| what follow d
1 nu‘( him fnr tin* lu t time hnt a hurt period hrforr hi dr.itfi,
in Hroadwaiy in Nh*w Vnrk. Thr mark tif ajipruarhlnp di ohnnm
were stampi'il npnn hi ronntmanrr and I »in m^ rlt hut jn t irr
in sayinp^ that I wa . mnrh atferti-d hs tn a.ppi*:ii anrr. { h;nl not
set‘n him fnr ^evi-ral \tuir.; In* wa rvidrntly Icippv to h;i\r un’t
mt\ aiul evinrial ■(» plainly a dr .irr to prnloaif the mtrtw if*w \»%
’Van Utirfu'i iti((-nnM!i ».f‘ ia»'l«n* ji*a * -mC I -S USfo i.
n*rrol (h will Ij** intunl mu j* i U’- r.ui- isU* u ^ « la.. . r.-r a
l»y Calvia CmIimu t\ V.. is;<io ui;»l ii :t u u*j- Omuj r j ?m t St.. n n.
O'HtiPCtltu; Wu.mI'h l«'n»*r MU (l$-V „u(. tl UUI“'U»0*S' Uf Mf t l -.U. ■ r-l ■ f »
lomH af Niwv Vnrh, Ja ivhMi rMtr*r Ui aio i* ? Cjufi?}’ ♦ huor o $ jsur i.a»! r*sifv
inaiKjeuvtTs.
538
AM KKU^AN inS’rollU’Ah Asson .vriD N .
Ills coiirso niul lU'coiupJinyinii* nu* u sh<u( diNlauu' inn’l
wav 1 was ^‘oiiii>* as to iiulnct' iiu* walk u[) and duwn tlu‘ hiun’t,
with him hm a short iiinr. Tla^ oasr and ai^panmi siuivrily of his
luauiicr, as avoII as ihi*- piaidi'iit advice' he* ii’aM* me* in re'^pcct to ;i
matlor of business 1 brou^^iit (o his imlicc, wi'iv so mne*h in har-
mony with Mu*, opinion. 1 liael always entertaiiu'd of his n-jrat .e:eiod
semsc. Ithat llmyl constiluteel the sulijcct ed’ my tvlle'clions I’or semu*
time, (lurino* wiiich I could not he*l[) IVlicitat iiiji: niyse‘11 that 1 eandd
sne‘<‘c.e‘.d as far as I IVlMhat I had in sul)dnin,^• my pn*jueliea'^ a.u'aind.
a man whom 1 always thouii’ht hael threuijLi'h nu'ans I'crtaiulv not
nn(‘Xe!Cpt ieina 1 made, his oxi'rlions leir my deb'at. in IS 10 me>ri* cilia’-
t,ive than any other iueli\‘ielual in his situation autl snIoiu I su -pea’li'd
of havinc* desig'iu'd nn\ much harm in the tran.suMion tt) which I
am about, to re'ter biit-on whom tin* hand ofilcatli was now m> vi ible‘.
After this brit'f imiici' e)r a truly remarkable man I procci'd wilh
my account e>r the* transaediem I pni'poM' to re'late*.
William L. iMedvemzie', of (‘nmnrnin me*moi*\\ was arrcAcd, tried,
and e’onele'Uineel 17)1* a violation ot our ueaitrality law.^. in is.iU, tlic
period of the* ( diiiadn. dist urbaimcs, and w as scute’iaaM! to im pri on-.
me*nt. for e*i]e;lit.e'en montlis. lie applicil to tm* lo pardon him and
his applie*ation was e‘arne*"dly sustained liy a larpy nninber <d my
political friends as well as by edheU’s, re,-.ident‘ of Northern Ntwv
\'oi’k, Ohie), \‘e'rmont and otheu* States, ddu’re beiun* no pndense
that. he. was innocent- of the' char'<xe and havin^i; reason to apprclieml
(hat. his parelon would oliNtruct pi*nilinn’ negotiation, hetueim n.
and (Jre'ut- Hrilaiip 1 rernst'd to interfere* in the matter until after
lu' had hei'ii in (toiiliiuaue'nt. tor nearly twee (liirtl-; ed’ the tiim* lor
which lu* wa?' sent(*neiMb wdam i r(‘mitte*d (Ite re tdia* ot the ternn
lb* (‘iitertaineel a hi/i:h opiinieeii of his e>wm politie’ul impetrtanee* tuul
was re*n<le‘re‘d \(*ry implaeahle hy the* e'onr.i* I had f<*lt It my iluty
(o t;dve* in the* matle'r ami in varieuis ways amumueed hi : intention
to see*k rt‘Vt*n;LJ.'e*., 1 heard ne> inoi*(* <d' him until ! learncil that the*,
new eoih‘elor, Mr. ('ur(i>, had nivim liim a plai'i’ in the Custom
Ileuise*. ddu're lu*. sinfi:ularly emeeutrh mhui found mate*rialo wliieh
he* and his (‘luployers (hongid W(‘rt* .sullieient to ean e *.rreat annoy
aiu’e* to my frienels and my^.elf. ” <’oll(‘idor Ibivi wlue tnul heeu an
aedivt*. peditie'iun and hiisy eorre’spomle*nt hatl lt*fi In an upjjer reom
ed' (he* (hbdom Ileuise an (del trunk eontaiuiu^' lei.- pri\;di* lette’rs
and iu)te*s the*. atT.umuluiioiis of many ye*ars srenu* of (tu‘m ea*r-
taiidy of a freu*, (hou/j^hl le‘ss and iudise’reet, (houpji few. if any,
of a ve’ry culpa) de (’harncii'r. d'his trunk wu- tlise*ovcrctl by tu*
pe)inU*d out to McKeir/ie and rllU'd of its coutemts wliich wen’e* pu!)
Iislu*d by him in pamphlet form.* do pn*ve*nt the suspie’iou that (ho
** MS. V, le. HO.
m m.mmms; van r.ruKN.
nvw ColliH'tor liinl ;it tin* ( ran ;irt iufi ilir 1u»mL
li‘l((‘rs ninth* n ^i/.alth* \(»luiiu*) {!inii;'h (irinl>“l in .\t‘u ^ nrk, a v.;m
asfi'rlaiiual iVnni an fxaininar itni ainl taunpari* < ni «»} tin* hnakr n['|
was pnhli.-.li(*tl a{ Ih^aniu ainl \Mi ‘ iva'l,\ n> la- put in ri rrii la? a »n at
(li(‘ of niy vi-il \n lliat riiv, alilunniii nut i lual until ai'tfi* iny
th'parl uri*. OT {linsi* proartlinL’ . at lt*a- t {’rtuu tin* titur lb** panipli
h‘{ was sinU ii> Iht-ttau Mr. Wt^b-tur \^as, haytnnl all tlniiht, iully
infurnH'th Aninn.u' tin* lfttt‘rs swvr >v\vv;i\ writtmi In tny *”!i' anb
stuiu* <>r tlu'in ttf a <’« »nlitlt*n( ial «*ltarat’tt’i% ainl la* pr«»l»al>l\ ilitninlti
(liat till* attnntitJU: la* Innl th* in \\n\\ xiu\ il rninuibrut wuit
a puhlinai inn nl* t’«nirnh*nt ial Irtlt'i*' t»i a pnlitiral aial piT *>na! 1 rai
inn: w!ii<‘h t»\pi*i't<*>l t*rinu ly In aiunW aial tninn* nan
!){' hnth awkuartl ainl impt‘litif. Wh* iu*\t*r na*! anain. I liat llti .
was (la* axplanatinii nf hi-; njltrrwi t* uuata*«nuiiahh‘ rtaulint I hau*
m*vi*r rnr a lunnanit tltinhtt’tL
^I'ln* piliftil anltTpii a aftt*!' all {urnt*tl mil v»*ry tUllrirnt ly hf-iu
what was ant isipatr* !. .M\ h^dtr hail bnai tuiMi'. it tn»- |s b
lit* witlmuh rari*lnl ‘am (‘h'ratinn <>! (la* flh*rt tla*\ iiiinnt pji''iH*E-,
and nndft* tla* ituprr ifun natural t<> (la* .iUi ‘»r prr '»ii v.t.nhi
ha t’{ua‘{‘ria*d in : ia*h a (ran arilnn, (Ital l»ran .* tla v wrn* p? .;ir-
|1 h*V mu 4 la* unwtuthy. 'Ha* nt*nm'al .‘'ntina*nf ailritrd b\ I'Hur
pulilit'at itm, tin* part ‘d l»«*th ni\ puhtii’.il tippi.n»'n{ and iia-n 1 ,
was that 1 atadd wall ha \ ** a Ibu'dad pidrlda-v (h^-r .psm r . «d hi luj*;
iuii’nut in . ut’h a iMriin my p‘'rti»mid t hr anrrr p- »nd»*ih r.
Ihtl. lilt* auhjcfl ttf iht* rrjiM-lHm td' m> nMtnn-alaaj h.t pun ii *'it
nut (n a Tar jurratrr h‘in*lh than vull 1 h*ar h‘* dr»*,H»‘d jbl,-.
Still 1 (‘aniHfl tli nii it witlanil a Wi*rt! id ai’lna»w h^danu-nt ^d dr*
hairh’.-^MH*: s, piuuupt it utir atal \wirm rltiqurnta* with V.fiU-h nr. pri
sonal I’lia rant i*r a ud t»lli»’ial i’imduti wrrr ih*irnd«‘d lu t hr Smatr l*\
friends: n prsiallv i > thi arluinw h*tlinurnt dm* ti> thr iurnru \ ♦♦! mv
lamented frieial h'or yth rrnm w hn e [»rr<-hfm dr*»irri e*n, 1 nnihe
(In* fnl Inu imr <*\( rarf , (hr enei»nda tie hua* ‘d wlinh, allh*! hr wa
one td’ lln» r nnl»lrnH*n whtj ^*lnn!d nut tlattm* tie* e‘’d i>ii
pt»w iT: , i ' rt*rtainl\ rai r«l lar ahtA»* my di* i*i t “i priUfai em I hr
ehivalrie /i*al nf the . peaker in tin* ran r nf an ah i-nt liirud, hut
u]Hm whirh 1 tiiay he parilnurtl fur pla»*inp thr hmle* ( \a!u»' !»*'’ j.u «*
it yd* 5 ipplr hnhll\ with a rhai'is* prrhap nt»ni' lan.if i»’;dl\ uinrd
a^aini't im* than apain.d any ntlrw puhllr man in tie* rmniti^ *d
eniirri* in my edimati«m wltleait an\ jn tirt- I tm-ait tie* ^atnUi*
impulatltm nf a <*apae!ty am! a fii pn lti«m fnr piilitieal intiij'ur.
Tail lliis MiN-drii !<» huehiu»t w.t - m! MtnUii n> Xtr, \ iiii innm; la . fis«-uU .
Uurw tluit H wa^' prr i'tl ra lain l»y (lie tUt* SillraJ ; uatt th.it If
arrrpti'ii at tlu* i'.irni* J «ah ifan»»a > »«! im jati wJs*» Wi”!*' ri ts j i* •/
itmle hla awn n‘|iulnt imi, aatl n*»lnuial ta tie* hf*uar atal w»*n\ur .4 thr a-Jh*u.
filSl)
t till'
540
AMKRU^AN IIISTOUK'AR ASSt xM ATK > N.
1 will not Inllow, rurih(‘r, lh(‘ Si‘ii:ilnr’s It'ml. known to nio ns n politician
anti as a man, aotinsj: tt>ji:t‘tluT in tin* Inair of politioal atht*rsity, wln'ii wt* had
lost all !)i!t <»nr hoinu* a witiu'ss td’ his movements wlnm elevateil in powi*r.
ami in tin* possession ol’ tin* conlidt'nct* ot tin* <‘hiei Maidstiale, and ol tin* ^aoat
majority oT Hh* p(*opl<‘. I m‘\<*r \vitm*sst*d ana'lit in Mr. \'an P.nn*n which
rc(pnr<‘S conct*alnH*n(, [Killlat it»n. or eolorina in'vta* auvthim; t«» le'.S(*n his
eharactt‘r as a patriot and as a man nothing which he miaht not tlesin* to
se<* (‘\posetl to tin* st*rntiny of (*\‘t‘ry memher ot this hod^v with the calm eiaiti
dt'ime td' unsnllit'd intt*arU.v. He* is t'allt'd an artftd mau a r.iant td’ artiitct* a
vvilv nia.a:ieian. I'^roni whom th»es ht* receive th<*si* npprotir!»>us nann*s/' h’rtan
ojK‘n (*m*mi(*s and pr<*tt‘iidi‘d frietals. In the mitlsi ol all t he t'harm'S that huvt*
Ikmmi hroui^dd mumhist him, in shapt*s nmn* vuryinj: than (liost* id’ Rndt'us, ami
thick as (in* antninnal lt‘avi‘s that sfnwv (In* vah* td’ Vallamhmsa. where is tin*
falsi* frh'nd or malignant enemy that has (i\<*d tiptm him oue iiishonoraldo or
(I{*j^radln^ act V If innocent td’ artitlce, if piverneil hy a Idaii sen- t* td’ Imimr,
and re.mdat ina his tsuninct hy elevated prine}ph*s. this is md u«dnh*rftd. Imi if
tin* result td’ skill, ttf lln* itrs cc/arc arlnn, he must ht* more emndm: than tin*
<lt*vil himself to have tims a\oldt*d the snares td’ eiU‘mlt‘S ami tin* (rt‘aeht‘ry
of ]>retemled frvetnls.
It is md, possihh*, Sir, that he should have i*s«‘apeti, hatl he heeti tdherwi?;t*
than pun*. 'I'hose lanorant id' his nnrivalletl km»wit‘djtt* td' imman charaeler, his
power id’ pem'tratiuf!: into the dt*slans ziml defeating tin* pnrjmses of his ail
V(‘rs!n‘ii*s, seeing Inf^ rapid ailvatict* tt» piddle iminu'N ami pt>t*nlar eotnlth'iict^,
Impale to art what Is a natnral result <d’ tlmse slnuth* <*aust*s. isxtrnordioary
talent, iinlirin;;' industry, Inees.sant vicjlanet*, the iiapplesi temper, wideli
sneet'ss eanmd t'id’rnpl md’ disappoiJit metil r:t»ur; tin’st* are (he ramree;, td‘ hi ;
nnesampled suect‘ss, lln* maale arts tin* artlliees (»f inlrimie, to wldeh tdily he
has resor((‘d In Ins (‘Vi*n(rul lilt*, 'I’liost* wlm envy hh** suceess may hsirn vvis
dtmi from his t*\ample.‘
' lu tilt* Uehalc la lOxccut tv*- nr!i:4tni. Jun. 'JA ah, tsua.
i:td7.
UfKhdrr ttf Ih-Putf^., H. pt. J,
P
!
CHAPTEE XXXVI.
When I left foi’ England in August 1831, Mr. Calhoun had just
committed himself, in a long and laboured exjyose^ to the doctrine
of nullification and his political friends were striving, might and
main, to work the south in general, and South Carolina in particular,
into a condition sufficiently phrenzied to induce a resort to such a
remedy for the redress of undoubted and in my judgment flagrant
grievances. Wlien I returned in July, 1832, at the close of the first
session of the Congress, I found a bill for the relief of those griev-
ances under discussion and on the point of being decided. They
had succeeded by active and persevering agitation in creating great
excitement in South Carolina on the subject, and they had, as it
seemed to me, more from policy than from any expectation of re-
dress, deferred the commission of overt acts until another session of
Congress should have intervened. Gen. Jackson expressed a wish
that I would do what I could with my friends in Congress to pro-
mote a satisfactory adjustment of the matter, and I entered upon
this pleasing duty with a hearty good will. But the prospects of
success were far from flattering. The subjects of the Tariff for the
South and of the Bank Veto^ momentarily expected, for the Korth
and East, were the most important resources on which the oppo-
sition relied to win the great game they were playing for the govern-
ment. If the question of the Tariff could be satisfactorily disj)oscd
of, General Jackson, in addition to being greatly strengthened in
all the southern states, might reasonably count on carrying his native
state — South Carolina. Without such a result, that, at least, was
certainly lost to him, whether it fell to Mr. Clay, or not. IVlien so
much depended upon the passage at the last session of Congress be-
fore the Presidential election, the policy of the opioosition would be
certain to defeat it. °The South Carolina gentlemen had, besides,
been carrying proceedings with so high a hand and were so much
flushed by the degree of success already attained that they could
not, as they thought, afford to be satisfied by anj^thing short of a
measure which should carry upon its front the stamp of triumph.
They v^ere therefore in a condition which required that the great
“ MS. V, p. 85.
541
542
A M KWH ‘A N III KTi ) H I ( ’A I . ASSi )ri A'l’ M ) X .
l)<)(lv of Hump [x'oplo should Ik* saii>li(*th IT satisliiut at all, a,L''ains(
the will oT tlu'ir h'adiu’S.
TIu* fhil passcHp ihut did uol pi’odiUK* (lu* . lie'll (t*d jMditical rd'col
oMi(‘r (hail |,o ('inl)old('n llu* would“h(‘ nidlilit*rs. Ihr inaj(U'ily in
South (’aroliua in'l’iisad (o iJ!;iv(* llu’ir .‘^U|>}»<»rt t(» Mr. i lav, tin* \vhii!.’
<*auditlatt* for the Pri*sid(‘ni'y (an a<*{ <d’ priiiolph' for wliifli ihnv
wore* ariui’wanls Iwhl (o a. s( riot, acroinitahi lily in tho htuii* id’ thrii*
lit iiios't- iu‘i*d ) hill- (lu‘y wi'iH* n(‘\‘i*ii htdn-r not a whit ludiiud the whiy'r;
in (lu*ir anxiety Tor tiu* d(‘h*a.l (d I h*<’- idont darksini. 1 la* ay;ita{ion
of tJa* |)r(*<*i‘din;L»: y(*ai\ with nul lijit^at ion more di timity df{>ift 4 Ht in
tlu‘ roiK'yi’ouud, was nmewi'd with I’riadi v iyour in all thi’ .'■umth from
lh(‘ day <d’ the atlj(Hirnnient of ( ’onyri* -s to the pm-iod whim t hr re
suit, of the Pri'sident ial eleelion was lumwn, hut till without any
o\('rt. aets. Afttn* the tdt'ftion had hi‘en heht and ihi* reeleetinu id
the Ih‘(*sidt*ril wa;,- aset*rtaim‘d llu* eon\ tml ion of South t'nrolina,
previously eliosen, a.-seinided; all rarthiu* hesitation wa laid a ide,
and the ineasuri‘S id* that body wau’e as hold and uinjualdit'd n;. the
movements (d’ tlie majority in the ; tate had hefoi-e ijfen puaidt’d and
<*l reunisi)i*et . A laryn* {‘ominit tia* eompo. ed ol the mo.a di t iimiii lied
niemhm's id’ tin* hotly was appointed on the hr ( ila\. en*! to them
\\‘us nd’erred the ohnoxioirs aej of ( 'on*»riv'- , and a eon idejalion nf
tin* I’eniedy. d'hal. eoinmitJee reported on the lollowin:*’ morninr' an
lU'dinaiiee. dt‘elarine; \a>id (he 'rarilV lav., and mahtm- d the diitv of
thi‘ I ji*uisln( uri‘ to pass all n^•ee^-^:ary law |o presmt it e\ornt!nn
in till*. Slate (d’ South ('arolina. d’his ordinanet* \sa ; etiir adored and
ailop{(*d on th('. same da\x and the l/<•i;‘i^ hit tire heinn' in e ion forth
with pas sed a vihiiminons net. the pro\ ision of whieh, if I'arried into
elleel., Woldd have. eomph‘(ely : aipei’: lulecl the power of llu* l'\‘ileral
( iovt‘rninen(. in (lu* .‘dati* of Smith ('arolina tlu' taw in ijiies
lion; and for eaiayiniu,’ them into e(lee| they pledn'ed tin* i’i\il and
militai’y power of (lu* slaie. Il was* not in the p«>svrr of lannnai‘;e
or state* ai’t inn to put (he authorities of (he (hmeral (haernmenl
inm't* ahsolulely at dehama* than was thu:: tlmu* l»y ihi herelofuri*
(h*voii‘d am! alway:* ^'allant memher of the eonfederae\, \ iewed
in eonnertion v\‘i(h the datin'er that tlie <li;.a lleei ion, u.. u*t nh.*:tau
lially eonliiu'd to South (‘aiadimu mi.irht he ditl’n ed lnti> the other
southern states jaimilarly situated in resp<*et (o flu* d’ariir and the
eons(*<jiu*nl ni'cessity of exerting tin* military power «d’ tlu* h'edrral
< loverniut'nl for its siippi’essimn it must he admitted that a mon*
a lariiiiiiii: <*ris!s in (lu* aHair.s td’ tide; emint ry hail iu*\er e.vistecl ■ inee
tlu* i‘st ahlishuu'ui of lu*r imlepi'ndenee,
I‘'or( unat i*ly iimst fortunately for tlu* welfare of i he w hoI<* rmin
tiy. South ('arolina iiudnsi\‘(*, and for llu* safety <d’ llu* l*'eder:d
^.luly 11, IHllLJ, Au itt'l to siUrr uiul jiincuU lh*‘ 3:«*v«-ral »i< r, Uiipu- in;' Utiil.- ; ;in.l im
perlH.
ArTninn(;KAi*n V av MAirnx vax nritKX.
(i(>vi‘rnnu‘ni , llu'* 1 h*-( wi* i-tuihl lArr lin{M* (o .m* t- 1 s\r h;ul
;il (his |)i‘riliHis nHHiu’lii ;i intili :i( tin* nT that ( it>\ <a-iniu*nt
who was in all ri’spai’t'^- iMjual tc) tin* iwiinniritvs ol (la* orra inn. 1 ho
inii'ii’rily <>1* his mof ivi’S, his pri)\orhiat rtauliiu* .. tn as , nun*
!u*(*ossary I’osjunn ihilit y. his intoIli‘aMio4% jinh^iui nt, ao|i\ity ami
linniicss, (aniiV.* i‘<l hy Ions im> Ir (lian hy h*it*n<!.s. lii • pn i- i<ni
of (lu‘ full fonliWotua* ai\tl alVoflituis of a va J !naj«n'il\ of ila*
[)('oj>l(‘ of flu‘ U. Stains, as Inul hnou riH’ontly ilnuion (rafoil hy tin*
.support (hoy luui u'i\tui him in <ho= fata* of an oppnr iiiun \ inlrn{ aiul
lunhit (iTial lu'Vontl anvtliinu' ht^hin* that poriotl kiMo\n to parti an
warfnriN <ain.st it utial hi munph* am! rarn tjunliiii’at iom- for ths thitir
hrforn him. I h‘ wa.. hrsiilt*-, in tituosof pmitliar <iiilionh v an.i »lan
‘i;rr, nalm amt rqnahlo in hi - rarriam* amt aluavs ma tor »»f hi p i -
sions; wi(li (lir fnllr.t oppurt unit in- to jml'n* of liim in tin* tatfrr
rnspni’t, as romimtotl with (hr ilisrhai**n‘ of itufii* , I ha\o r\rr
frit amt saitl iliat I ha\r imt Kinnsn liis; oqnal. him r who will tato-
du' (roiililr to ?*fail his hafrr: to mr ilnrinn' lla* sSioh* nf thr rriii'Vil
pnrioil (o wliirh I mfrr uill r-m’ tin* qualitio I ha\r atlnhutni to
liim strikin^dy hisplayial. I h‘ alu:l^ pr^ |*air.i i.» «•.* to
(tin full r\hmi ih‘ hi.: iln(i»* , hut tanrr fa ,tt*r nor f o'.lii-r tlso' v »
inhispnir ahlr io {hr rirn’at'v of hi a**! :nnl ttr* nsss- Us' nf th,-
piihlir siUA irt*. No man iwor li\r>l uitli !»* . hi po it.on to a*“>,r
and i f lir ojurt imr . itmmunrrd :i har h purj h» » a- a lu l iho»oi Jt '. h;
inotiv(*s ami aim u«‘rr itnariahiv non .i v. nfi tlu* io»-r*aiui iui
pufsi* whirl) wa i)ali\r in his liraii. No - (.-p tr«pnnn’* lir- a. tl .,-
inlrr|)o: ilion of (hr k'nlrr.al arm u.i klmu n a( W i if t ho
optUliniT nf ( 'onjM'r s ol) tin* lih of IhsTmhrr, l*sr’, to fio. «■ h> ^ i>
Ijikim liy Sondi ('arolina. hln* iihjriq was ihrrrfot't' iorrrI\ uotk-^ -i
in (hr Prrj, knit' Mr anas in a proprr ■ pu n hut with appiofumfr
lH‘Siuwt‘. lhi{ almo t inujirdiatrl v l!ru”raftrr thr urw , aru’ t^d of tlio
pas'-ayy jjf ihr tualtnanrr aud on tlir lUh of l)r>a«ud»rt\ Ih*- itk iu
tlai’k.son i nrd Ids pr«»rlamaf ion whirh wa a loan and a!»lr dorn
inta)( rrasoniu**’ on( ihi' wlioir nhjrrt lirfoir thr proplr ; a rntu >•
In whirl) hr wa. alway. partial amt umtlr o h\ thr »Mral r\t.-ut
uf hi.: ronlidrnrf* In fhrir saparlty and pood rn ‘1 haf d'H-unr aU
Was f(dloWi‘d l»y (hr pr«»mpt di pafrh of port ion- »<(' th,- aafn no.
<d (la* (h Statr. to (djurlrston undrr prrilir m trurfjim.. Ihr
oppo ilion, (akinir it for prantiMl ftiat thr r in tiustiou r.rrr of a
\ iolrnt amt !mli ffrid rharartrr,. ‘aiUrd U*v (Itrir (tan lui mn to
( un^ri'ss. Aldmnph a roinplianrt* wadi ta-h a rati mipht ju fly li.iir
hr(‘n drrlitu’d as inronsi (m! with (hr puhtir iniiuv t, thr lu-tnu-
duns w'rrr foi*t!iwi(h and witimnt rr rr\r laid hrforr ih:it hod\
and pn)\’rd to hr surh as tliry oU|/h( to hr an«l in all rr prrf .nit
f
$
A
|!
i
ft
f
i]
!
I
I
i|
544
AM’ KIM t ’A N 1 1 IST( HM< ’Ah ASS( »( *1 A'l’K >
nl)l(^ io ilu' charactor (U‘ a firm l*n( priulcnt (’liifT
(fisapixMiitnicni \'isi((‘(l upon holli Iti’aucln*.-. iif iUc opp<j-i(icin hy
this (lis{‘l(>snri‘ was v(‘ry uTuat and if wnutd liavt‘ lunm \v<dl if tlu*y
had j>rof!|.i‘d hy f lu* <)U{‘asi<>ii fo malu- 1 lu'uiMdx hrftnr ;naj!iainfrd
widi llu‘ cliaracfi'P (d’ flu* man flu*y hati ft) tli*al with.
Tlin i)o\\'(*rs of flu* Ih-usidimf nndnr flu* rsi'iin**' law haviny; ht‘pn
(^xliaus(i*d a spi'cia! nu'ssaiji'u was": snn{ fn < ’onyiv: > ronf ainiuy aimthrr
fidl vitnv of fh(‘ wlmh* ;aihjt*rf witli : piM’ifit' rfroinmundaf itm in
ra.voiii* of (lu‘ i>‘i‘anl (o (hr of additional [M>wt»r arul ail
llmriiy, flu* i*xi*n‘is(‘ of wldudi luul luMMUnr nnavtutlahh* in uous(‘
([luuua*. of llu^ sfaiu! fakmi hy S<iulli f’arolina in l!n* pa a*.n* of (hr
ordinaiU'i* aiui in flu* nuaifi * Iut Irj/i latniJ* luid prov idrd for rarry
in^ it info (‘HVrl. 'This mr.^sam* was rnf in on flu* ir»fh of Jan
nary, flu* (’arfirsf allowahli* nionirnf, hut rdill Iraviu}*’ liftir nmri*
than six \v(*t*lv^: hi'fnn* fhr t‘\piraiion td‘ fhaf f 'onyrr . iindor flu*
( ‘onsi if ntion. 'Flu* finu* allowt'd fo matni'i* tlir mt*a iirr . of (hr
f !ovrrnnu*nf- ami what was, if prartiraldr, of .(ill urraliU' iinjjor
faiua^ for flu* [)assafu* (d' ; omr mrasnrr of rndirf hv uhirh ihr
nr.(‘c*ssify (d’ a i*rsort to milifary forsi* miidif hr iiprr rdt-tl, ss a
f!u*rrror(* (*xfr(‘nirly shorf, Thr r(’lrhra(rd horrr Ihil \. a , not in
appropriaf t‘ly, infmtlurrd i>y a INmnsy Ivaida Sc’iudiirs If wa . at
Irasf si roup: rnnii‘>h hu* Ihr orra -iom and tlj-rw forth a drhair widrh
lhn*airiu*d fo la* intrrminahlr and, in fhr nirantimr, thr lion i> (d’
Krpr(*st‘nf af ivi*:. wvvr krpf tiido*rini’' upon Mr. \h‘Vplank' : ‘ hill for
^ll(^ iut»di(i<'a( ion of (hr 'rarilh d'hr Pn*sitit‘n(, luuim* rxrrfnl all
i\us j)oW'(‘r wifh wliirh In* wa- rh)(hrd ami ha\iim' "a Krd fiaun llu*
prop(*r d(*parfmrn( uhaf wa ; fnrflu'r wanfr'L rnaim.aintal (hr cmmi
l(*nor of Ids way undi: inayrd and ttndi fur!»rd hv flu* rlaniorou;:
ahuso of farfions wldu-h, whils.j Ihry dilTri'i'd /o/r; ro/ //> upon fhr
ahsfrarf. pui'sl iim of nnllifiraf ion, rivalirti rarli {aim* in lusipinir,
nndrr vai*ioiis pn'frma*., opprohrinm upon (hr \i‘urrahjr pairii»l at
flu*. Iirud of (hr iroViM’timrnf , wlurr wludr muiI wa;; rnli. frtl in flu*
pnhiit*. ransi'. Hr had af (hi- (imr, i( um { hr atlmiftrd, mir frrlini?'
wliirh approarhrti fo a pas *ion and fhaf wa ■ an im-linalion fo
Idmsrlf wifh a snllirii‘n( forrr, wldrli hr fr|{ a urrd la* rnul«f rai r
in Virginia am! 'ri*nnr o‘r, as pnssf td^ (hr Mar hal
and arnssf Mr-.-rs. ('alhoun, llaynr, Ifamilfon and Mrl^nflit* in flu*
midst of flu* fori’i* (d’ iMdtiH) nu‘n wldudi tin* Lroislaf ma* td' South
(’aiadina liad ant!uiri/a‘d (o lu* I'a! tal and drliviu- thrtn (o (Ih*
fludirial powrr of flu* rnitrd Sfaft's (o hr drali with ar«-ordiu'* (o
law. Tlu* rradrr will fiml fhis projrrf morr than oma* . faird in
his l(*fi(*rs fo lur w'riffi*n raz/va /i/r ru/i////o, Ihit iml w ith:.( andimjr
' " im. vd i). au.
‘ SojiiUr hill Nu, sa, iauut. an S» . ' a hill fi* Itii UKT }mj i filh-f f h.u
of (luth'rt cm II wari Inloiflui-iMl hy Snialor Wiillaai WilKsa .. .Ian U-aa,
laiHHtnl iuhI upurovoU hy iho I*i’OHuh*Ht Mur. a.
=“ Uulltiu ih Vorplunck,
AUTtUilncniAril V i>h' MAllTIX VAN* lU'UKN. r»4i)
Nvh;i( is snitl (lit* aflompt would ut*vor luivr Ihhui uiailt* ^:\\v
in ('ust'. of (lin \ nrv hiidn*''! iuM’(* .-i(y and \V{»uM lluni lui\r Ihmmi
(‘X taailtMl wilh as niurli stu'upulnusni*. .vS and rhaiuna'V as would Inna*
luaai consisttud w'ilh it> laniain afoouipli-hiiHud .
Whilst du' I’onr'a' of rvtnds at Whi -hinid^^ii ^^’as as fa\nural)h’ a
could h(' c\pi‘ci{‘(l undur -.urh novid aiul trvin‘.!: 4'ii’fuin {aiua*.- tin-
Pn‘siiii‘id hia’anu* involved in ad<li(ional tauharra .luent-. rri»iu
atnina‘s which were (tw (In* iimsf part rricaully. !l ha- from ( ht‘
(’onnueneenumt (d’ (h<‘ preNcnl federal ij^ov ernuund h^’en a tj|^d>at alih*
point whether tin* ( ’onsi it iii ion under whitdi it wa; fornual ha»l
haul frainetl aiut e taldished hy the ptaijde td' tlu' I’niti'd Slate > in
tln‘ir a/iY’reyale {-apat'ily as oin* people, or hy them a . eiti/ens <d’
tliilerenl and prei'\i:.t iiur States aetiiiij; us (he people (d' the stneral
alalivs and nndfU’ state anl Inn’ily. Hje I'e ult claimed to follow tin*
(‘.‘dahlishnumt td’ the tuu' or tlu' otiuu’ con met ion, v.a:, that (he
i'eeo»,cnit ion fd* the lir-t wouh! erve (<» increa c the ijoportance and
to swidl (he power of (he h'ederal t io\ t*rniu<‘n( aritl prop<irh»)nahty
Id (h‘|n‘e ; th‘i c of (he State ( on ^u iimeid ■ and .«> c:./, 'The
tdd feileral paiiy ua , from the Ifadnnin*^’ tie* /ealnii adv«»e:dr id*
(lie first |i<i ition am! tin* repuhliemi’. id’ the latti-r. Ihu Mii tin’
prtvMUd oeea ion tlune w a no iH**’e ity or jntihahli' moti\i* foe
niin^’lin^' (hat que (ion with the apitatitai id" (hat «d* mdliheatenn
of itself sullieitmtly di (nrhin»^
'file President', proelainat ion, it i md to lie f:i\onrtMl the
fialeral ideal, not nneipiiv iX’aUy n* wa - pretendiMf Icu ufliiMtuU 1;^
to ^i\ ran e <d’ ^rtad uiiea iniv a in tjuarter entitlisl t*i re pr«’t, and
in whii’li there wu.. miU’h auxiidy that he ..hotdil do wliat wa ussr
sary to pnwent the ml lake into wldeh he hml hecu k*d, without
wronjx intention on the part of any out\ from heiut;^ in future ndiisl
upon as a preeiMient . 'fhe fae( wa that tin* wlmleofhi new (‘ainnet,
thonyli an ahh* and {latrudie body ai men, hath w ith tin* sinpk* e.\i’ep
(ion of tile 1*0 turn ti*r tiimeral, .Majtn* liarry, a very nuHli* t and
mu^l){rnri\e mam reiadved their tir t ptditieal imdrtndnni in the fnl
(‘I'al a’hook So I iiavt* always nmli’rstiiod and rtill Indievi' tiu* fast
to have* heeii, Aitlmiitdi I plaeed ftdl eendidtuiee in |ho e «.n‘n( Imium,
hav iiq** hail no im^on i<leraldt* iiumi In (lie etin trnetiou td’ flu* t kilnuet
with iwery reason to helieve (hat no memher of it woithl havr Ihsui
seleeted a^^aiii I my nanon tram’e a dtdVreiu’i* that wi>uhi nehlnu*
have htaai a died nor e\t<‘nded oni of any ]ier onal fei-linn- of my
own, hut rprano* from a (horoiqdi c’ouvitdion (hut ! wouhl have heeii
<[iii(e certain not (o havi* imule i-xn-ptimi to ativ of (hem if I had
not hiuai ahh‘ to ^ i ' fy ( he Pre itliait tint they vvi*re vv« ll fomehah 1
was vet nv\vv fret* froin appreheu ii»n that ddlieidt'e' mirhf arisi*
from tliat vuin-e and ilid what I i-ouid in o ilelteate a matter to put
the President upon hi: oiuirel. In my lidter to him from Lomhui
UiT'tsa ' v»»i 1* 'Jo ar»
546
AMERICJAN HISTOKICAL ASSOCIATION'.
under date of the 11th of October, 1831 will be found thewt*' "
tences :
V»
One word more upon the subject of the Message. You have takoii . ^
ground upon the basis of a strict construction of the Constitution and i*' Ijj
only true and saving ground. A great proportion of your Cabinet, altU< > ' ^
other respects quite the thing, are not altogether in that sentiment, au<^* ''
out much care on your part, doctrines may be suggested and adopted
jirophetic soul! ’’) which would expose yon to the charge of inconsistei^**^^^^**^
am led to this observation by understanding from the Captain of the
that our ij^od friend Mcljane intended to recommend a provision autH*
ndvances to destitute Americans in foreign countries to enable them to '' \
home. Now, although this is justifiable in the case of distressed seameni<.
tlie power to regulate commerce, and to provide for a navy, I ***
authority in the Federal Government to extend that provision to our ci1
large.*
The Cabinet doubtless participated largely in the construcvt
the message and it was proper that they should do so, and thc'i 1 ^ I'o • t
dent had other more pressing and more practical questions-
mind than speculative disquisitions upon the construction of
ernment [Constitution]. That the nullifiers should with ttvttlhy
seize upon those points of the proclamation which wez^e at
with the orthodox states’-rights creed was to be expected. 1 1
the only ground of argument upon which they could sustain i
selves and was in their hands a powerful lever with which to
large portions of the republican party who were inaccessible I n t iuur
appeals in favour of nullification. But that those of the whi ^ I
who thought the crisis a perilous one, who saw, as they could 1 1 1 1 | I
see, that the veiy safety of the Government depended upon tl m I * rir
i dent’s being sustained, should seize upon this defect in his px"< >cd u luu
tion (for such in ideality it was) to fan discord between him a Ut I tlu*
great body of his republican friends who were as much ;i
themselves to nullification, could not with reason have been ntit iri
pated. If ever there was an occasion on which the recklc».‘-.; uiul
unscrupulous spirit of 2 :>olitical partizanship should have su<*etUjalH d.
to the extreme necessities of the public service, — ^have fora^oia- it
own temporary and unworthy advantage for the sake of thc'. i nnoA
nent interest of the Country — ^that seemed to be one of suclx u t-hur
acter. But the leading whigs, hearty anti-nullifiers as tht^\
and anxious for the overthrow of the principle, could not sri < 1 i < • ‘u • nt 1 v
master their partizan feelings to view their duty in its triit* liiA-Jt
Instead of taking no notice of the alleged discrepancy betvvcu-is rh.*
President’s iDrofessed jmnciples and those set forth in the pj'oiGuiii i
tion tliey, as a general rule, did all they could to blazon it foi-t 1 1
to thrust it in the faces of his alarmed state-rights friends. '‘Pin* ijj . i
great meeting called out by the proclamation was held at lit,
^ In the Van Buren Paiiers.
AUTOHKHIliAlMI V OK MAU'riN VAN UUllKN.
547
(^)l. l\*rkiiis‘ oll(‘r(Ml the rt'.soliit ions and llafrison (iray ()(is and
Daninl ilu' haidinu: orators. 'Idial (Inn'i' should bo no
room for misundrislandino* Mndr dosinai [o nnjkr polil-iral caiJilal
ou( (d (hat dooiinumt }lu‘y sid forth tlu* bahu’al t’ri‘i‘d upon llu' point
nd\‘rn*il to almosi lot nit u\ nrvhh and ;ii'r(*o{t‘d (lu‘ Ihvsidi'.nl's ri'ooo;-
nition of it with u sinistor. all hail!
r(ohn IJandolpirs rosimtinonl. ;d (1 h» inoinmil a^’ainsl- Pri'sidcMit
rfm*kr(>n pr<uupti‘tl him to st‘i/,i' upon (lus lioslon pr(KVi‘dint»-s wilh
his <-harai’ttu’is(ii* sa^-arity and lji|{<*rnoss and t'spiM-ially upon iln^,
firciiin' (atnv llial thi' highly rt'sptaHabh' and wortliy <j!;(‘nl Itunan
uhn had I >tH*n soKM‘(od {<) olVrr (ho rostilutions and (lu‘ (*hl(*r of tho
haidiryiT sp(‘aki‘rs a not h‘ss (‘sltmabh' man had Ihhui d(‘l(\‘>:al(‘s,
(HI hidialf of Massarhusottos, (o llu' Hartford (onvonlion, and to
found upon tin*'!* pr’oi’«H‘diii^s ami oirrumstanri's iln‘. rhar^U' (*x-
hihitnd in his famotis (’harh>ni‘ ('oiinly la^solui ions. No man “ undtu*-
’lood hidfor (hnn ln‘ tin* mor(iii!’alion ami pain lu' iidlirhMl upon
tin* trim imm of \'ir^‘inia, whom In* rould not indin*n. (o ahandon
dark <HK wlu*n hr proedaitmah in his pta-uliarly <i:raphir lauii;uai»:(‘,
tlial tin' ladrr '"hail ilisavownd thr priin'iplrs to \vhi!*h lu‘, owial
hi . rirvation (o (In* (diirf .Ma/xistrary of jhr < hoan’iinirnl of tin*,
rniti'd Stair:, and (ramd’i’rrrd his rral frirnds and support(*rsT
hound hand ami foot, to his ami tlu'ir hitlrns.l i'm‘mii‘s, (In* ultra,
fcdrralists. ultra tarilhlt's, ultra intrrnal impro\rnn‘n( and Hart-
ford (onvrnti()n mrn (hr habitual sroH’r!*:; at Stat<* ri!j.ids, and
!o (In*ir inslrumnit. (hr vtujal and jiro-l it u(<*il pi*(‘ss. by whii*h (h(*y
havr rmlra \ our(*!l, ami but (no sur<*r:.srully, (o irdhu*nrr and mi.sirad
publir opinion.'*
dim Tnion mridini^ in (hr rity id’ Xt‘\v York, at whirh tin*, im-
pt)sin^^ namr-. of flami*s Krni ami Ikdrr A. day wau’r as-:n(*iat(‘d witli
that (d* thrir promim*nt jiolitiral opponrnts ^Vhdtrr Pxjwm*, Saul
A Dry. Ahraham Hloodirood ami Hldud lloliurs, tJi‘i‘smi(rd a fCi'ati-
fyinr* mutra I with tin* inr.tm* prorrrdiniics a( Boslom Ihij. tliib
truly patriotii- : pirit id' tin* n'solulitms (Inw fiasstal was not, I am
: on*y to ay, nnitatt'rl hy (In* whi^s (d Albany ov hy tliosi*. from
«*thrr part of fin* stati* who wriv mrmhm’S of tin* L(‘«i:i.’ hit un* wlYndi
a' i‘m)>lr»l a frw ilav.s t lirrra flm*. I rc*sid(‘d in that rity and was (‘iw
‘•'ari-d (n dim* \^i{ll inV rxrrllrnt frirnd rlmhn* \'amh*i’ 0 (*l •* on tlio
day thr prorlamatiou wu^: rrrnivisl. A (‘ojjy was hr<»u^ld. in to
n a hurt tiinr hrfnrr tlinnri* was announrril and, painfully anxious
about i( ronti’iit , ! drtaiiirtl tin* I’ompany sotnr minut(*s to miahlo
lar to rnmplrlr fltr rtsidiuif of It to my.srlf ln‘for‘i‘ \V(», sat- down to
tin* iahhs dla* oi » ji*rt lonabh* pa*^sap*s ])rrsmdril tlu'iusrlvrs stroipily
51 r. ikitHj
.MS. V. p. an.
Aaron Vnncl(*rpiH‘l,
548
AMKUIt’AN inS'nniK’Ah ASStu’l \V\\i\.
lo iny inintl nl tlu* insi:in( \uu\ \hv uty 5‘rlinj/. in
iuv coutil (MUUUH\ nNl\t‘tl uu\ with tin* iinput irtn-t* that 1 tn
his mdun*, whet he
r there was any 1 him
* urone in it
t»» u hh’ln as
his company were
of varioin-: polit ie . 1
made ;ui e\ ;i
:iv*‘ rcplv. As
soon as till* dinue
r was eonelnded he
took na* li n
h* ami pre tal
iiH* Nviih inereasiul
earm'stm*. for an
i‘\planat aan
i then ;.tati‘d
(n liini withiHit rr. rrvt* luy apprflu'ii atui - nf [h.^ i Mt-iii to uliirU
a (Infuninni, np<>n Hit' . urrr . of uhif’h u uHirh ‘Irprinh**!, wr)iilil
in all prohahiliiy In* wcaikriit'il l»y ita niuu*rr arv a rr(i<>n of ilnr-
(riiu\s rnyarilial hy tin* repnhlirati faith a |H>liti»'al lim* if*s.
AKhnuuii flu* tlrst’rHiluut nf a \iiV\ aina* t r\ auil r»Mnnl in tin*
fiah'ral .'.t'lujnh anil until a .'Juui tinif hrfun* that «lav. uur t»f uiy
al>lu'4, iiinsi pur.' uM*rin‘r am! imi t uppunml , flu* Jmhn* hail
mnhraruil ntir i-au: u with anlnur anil inriaafy aial adliur^'il tu it
(lirnuii'h tin* nf hi. lih*. Hi. rlrar aful \i*“uain. intrllmt \\a^
lint j Itiw in ap[»n*ht‘nitin‘i nml upiu’ta'iat inn thr t»l‘ mv frar -,
'[’111* fnllawintr uxtnar! frimi a Irftui' writtiai tn inr hy Mi. ,\f'’l*ani\
(iian SiM’rrlary of fht‘ Trna ur\\ a frw i!a\ aftrr fhr jirria! nir.
; a^i' which prnilui’iMl the l*'iircc liill w;u; ent in ami a few sverk’.
after tin* I h’nelaniat inn* will Imw fmw well nt\ npiuinu in in pert
(o the latter tlncimieiit were appreciat^ai hy the C‘ah.mrt at W'a huiy
Inn :
W'hal Miinlv »a fht* Aft' . aa*-'' Vt»tn‘ * tienm • ■; '.mus' fhtai.Ua ; tU Uu’
l f \ HU foil. I MiJUio i-, rtn I'll H5t. oht friifi Ul us al. huu4s.ll liSlir .
fifitl tail! aU file Mir. af fluit Utnu' '
tlihl/fu ^ aniterjinfl ami m\ elf were in\i!iul i,i ihm* with JmU'c
Wundw nrth the m-\t thi\\ whric wt* niet Jmiin* Spt'm-er v, hn had
Iniur hefnre returned to the rank (d the p*n 1 1 in which hr piditical
career wa * etantnelieed and wlan nntuitli tamlini*' In a!iead\ ad
\aneed a*n% wn a ■ \ inlcnt^ in hi’ [nirti an hadini' and a >*ainc t and
rineftre in hi lamvietluns as hr Intd ul\va\ . Inam tinder what^nm* ilatf
he fnneld* fnr hi - whnle pnliiieal eareer w.i an nmaui inn luittle. It
\vm- nnf !nn*r hefnre he hmke niif* with hi . naial udiciiamee* in prai ;
ine ihe Pre ident' prnelunmtinn uddre inn him.s^lf tu mu aern .
tilt* tahh*. Ihninn had u Itme; and varitnl interemn e uhh Jndiu*
spl*neel\ J.nmeliiue'^ Us frit^nds and at nlher tune U . nppnneiit , which
Inn. alreativ het‘n larpdy .spnUen nf in thi . m‘annir* I uu , nr»t at a In
fnr the turn if would he im>st expeilient fo e’ne fu the dl en inn In*
WH . obviously tleterndm*d tn provoke. I therefttre aid to hiun in
nh lance* ami at onet\ that the finH’laumt ion \mi \ an adnoralde
paper, in all re pi‘et- * :* a ve one; well ealeulated to pr.uiiotu the iin
portanl ohjeet its author hut! in vii*w\and that it athudrd un* much
sat i.sfaiUion to find him fo zeulmn in it iipport ; the e\ceprinn (o
* Meliifu* hi Vua Umi-is, Jan. a:;, isn::, in Oj*. Van Uiiun Cai - i t
AliT(»]’.I()(il!AIMI V OK MAli'I'IN VAN liOltKN.
54 D
whirh I iiIIiuIcmI, 1 sai(U <,‘<)iisis(o(l of sonu* spiM'ulai ions in \vhi(*li (lu‘
p:\[)i'r in((uli»-tMl, as I tlioti<>ii(, iinn('c(‘ss;n‘i] y, rc'spc'rl inii,- ilu' orio-in
niul I’onsinhMion of <h(‘ r('(k‘ral <»-o\i*rnuu‘n(, in i*(\<»artl io wliich 1
tluni^iil (‘ri*(nu*ons grounds had lakon, hul, as t;lu‘ rcn’ouniuMuhi-
tions i( conlaiiual wcro. wadi warrnnlcd, wliidlun' all its iht'oi'ios winv,
sound (.>1* iiiisoiind, 1 (rusitMl (hat ij:i*n( Umium\ lila^ him and mys^df wdio
wmv iHjiially solifiious for tin* surrt^ss of ilus vcu'nnuud in (h(^ iin-
iu)r(ant lualitU’ in \vlii(di i» wiis layiaijiAvd, would find also our tluly (.o
avoid \vrak(min<>; ils arm by iu\'okini>; distaission (d‘ an ahslratd |)nin('.
ami 1 tndVrrrd wilh ajiprohation (o tho ('xrtdh*n(. oxaniph*. wddud) had
hrrn soi in (his ri'p'aid hy his fritunls, (’hamadinr iuud, Mr. ffay and
(ludr ass{)fial ns of Ntov Voi’k, 'Urn dud/^'o was nvid<Mitly nok a lii-
ilr. niMdrd as w tdl a*; (*mh;i ri assial hy ilu^ uiusKportnd \'ir\vs f Imd
r.xpri‘s;'U‘d, Hr know M'vy widl llia( 1 wouhl nof assmil- (o (!m poi*-
tion of (In* dotdrinns td' thn prtadamalion rrfnrn'd fo and Im had
lio|a‘d (o pr(*(‘ipi(aln an aryimaml upon ilu' poini wldudi roiild not
undm* (In* {dr*ruins(ant'(*s hr o{h(*rwi;.i- lhan iinplrasaid. (o nu‘. hut
whirh hr p(‘rrri\'iM! foidd no( llaui hr. hrouuid, ahoiil, llis wh<d(».
dtnnranonr, as \v«dl as (ha( of -:f\rral of his fi'itmds ai ilu* (ahU*, r’tivr.
im* a hu'r^a'.lr (jf uha( \\v mi/rlit rxfH'rj a( (In*, mrrlifiymif I hr. ir.u’is-
hitui’t' duriuir (hr rii;.uin*;' wrrk. 1 foia‘saw from (Ih‘ inuinrid. llu^
pr()(dama( ion appi*ai’ri| ihal it W(udd lu‘ sri'/.rd upon hy (In* whim's
(o <li\ i<lr llu‘ Pro adriij aut! niy.'.rlh who ha<| jus(. luam (d<‘r((‘d on (hr.
hanit‘ tirktd, and io forrt* upon our poliliral fritmds in (hr lr<ji;islat4iro
a di .ni ion in \vhi«di \\ wotdd hri’omr (hr duly of (In' ri'puhruain
mrmht fv. (o inipr.atdi ihr poHliral orihodoxy of an iinporiaiit slal('.
pap(*r \ hosr ntitlun* (hry had supptudiMl and (‘oniinurd (o support.
Amon^ llu^ (irsi propo.sii ifurs aimin/^ (o produrr. (Ids romplira-
lion, wa.s a. rrsoliilion ojfrrrd hy Srnafoi* Srwardd drrlaral i\’t‘ of (In*.
s{*n:<r of (lir Slai{‘ S(‘na(r dial '"da* Prrsidiml. of ilu' I’nih'd Slali's,
in hi.s la((‘. prorlaniai ion had ndvanrril (hr Iriu*: [>rin(dpl(*s upon
vddrh only Ihr roll dlnlion ran hr jDainiaimal and dt'frndiah" d’Id.s
rrsidtiiioii wu'- rru'urdrd as insiduons upon i(s fart', and llu'nd’ort'.
im hditiilidy po^i(jMUU'd hy u \‘ot<' of IH (o J) all llu'. snppoidt'rs of
(Iriirral rIatdvMUiV admin is( radon vofin/r for iht'. posi ponimn'id. t'X-
< fpl (hrri* who wrrt* ronvt‘i*l% from ilu' frtlrra! party, a sii»;ni(ira nt
r iirn of (h(‘ or*ii-in <d’ tht' ohjt'rl ioiiahh- rlaiist* in Ihi'. prorlaniai ion.
.\nl iripal in^^ kimlrrd movriiuuds in ilu' Ilousr of Asst'inhly, 1 ad-
\ i: t‘d our frimids to raist' a joint ('oimiiii it't' of hotli Ilousi's, (o whom
iniidit hr ndVrrrtl all similar proptisii ions, and wl'tost' duly it .slum hi
hr to rrport (hr I'lr'o of (hr Irnfisladin* upon tlu' wholt*^ suhjtud.. I'his
was dour and Xadianit.d V, 'rallmadiTr, (Urn a rt'ct'nl. ronvt'rt from
dir ('lin(t)nian parly, was plart'd a( i(s ht'ad. I [irrparrd Uu'- rt'-
port and rrM>lutions whirh wt'ri' jirt'st'iilt'd to (hr two Houses by
' Wini;ttii 11. Si'Wurd.
\\n;!!irA\‘ ilL lN'Iih Vi. \-
u I \ i
%
tin* ju’nii rnniinil t {*<*. I'ln* tuU m: mi^\
hirltM'V of llif tjn«* 4 ii»n wliirh ha.l lunai r.ii- r/i np^i* ih\- pr. M'LmiM
tinii aiui nf it ill tlir‘ u«*r,l.:
'’V\U' IIi^aM^y U\ i\iv ia-.‘ fh.‘ h‘tHt ^ '■ .^-tr .
luiM drawn Infill i-niiilini ar . MpUanu , ii* m ’ f < A ■ > ■ • ^ t <’ ■ ilu*
nuiniiultnn liihdit l‘«‘ rf”af»!td ;r ; Ifnijn' I'UaHnii jus, .‘i'-a -a duHi* .
win, liji**!! (hi- 'ihjn. i\ ui:h dn?* .#- , <» a .
hfifllv, inii jianl-.l>, lat*' Ittf.r .«u;:
’i'lit* t-lirtfarlrr *'l ^\vi uu- > ■ A . - t' f ?;.a i I '.»• au.-f
Ifl Whirli (hr rrdnf.d t \ At I A u'’ ^ -ii u ' • I*;}*/ ! a; ! ..h*n> !
a malinf ,> 1 ’ iiini*. or Ir , -. . i.uf* :a*a !» ||ri» 3 i‘n >A' . - i i.;? na- a 11 , »-
h.i\i‘ tu'i’li ill a'lUr ih"ir»' Ik h l -d hv .. * t aai d: ^ a - 1 hj*
{•nMjJihfi- liH* i'mj: .1 indi.a. :::id h: u^ilr.u t ; . d :-*•■ ■ :.:} , tjll
a.. ;h.- ..‘,rr.aa . • ., wla.; d. . ; •: .<»l
|i\ thhrfr!!. j'l-l ‘"i I? ■•.«• ! 1 - n (h.i* a ! : ■.; d ' - 'i'asr
ar: t .! ( .'3 r;l • f «. . i:> a' . . sain?;;:'.' i * f hf a ‘ ^ ^ .u.* : . r' ,1 ali *
Ii ii.'d /ltd «a-:* a.i. .'d h; fh«- a . ;.a,; ‘ S J . : a ritid
ti» //i* ja t .-n? i’J-.H-.t .-h ri‘a ' •••■a a. ■:■-•■ / *■; ; ,■ • > iifn
I a- lia* r* i- .u-Altj' IL;:'. 1('., * 1.' . •■■ .* ? ** !’ ^ ;;d h»*
na«*«| < it !, Iun-‘U| f. ' W 5 . ihh* N aS an ( ?«-, v..': * ?n a ' - d. : |o
thf nMlltpiU'l, ;! i- writ n -'a 1 * d. (a.. I, :■• , " - « r,.’ t ^ ^ f u( !> 'll
was ‘aihiulHi'd fu thn -.i sfi- , f?. U:. f!i f. ■•■’. a, ’ n : ;> ! a.d- 1 A 'I'liiH
la tin* n',;*I.iu.di«ai \vui*'h l;ri'-*as .4 U-n -a a • =-* d. \.iahiia
d’;:i ’ l.d llfn, hifh h. ;drn,;*|v fa-tiw'd H-n t;“.i . f ■;.•■- - •. f W-. }, j-j
I'.l jlll -4 ,r i.J till* trlia f T a*?. : . S fniu
\\ lU' u (h«- I I'llnf.i! t *Mir t dnl ». -u .-{h ; nal «•«!, a:al ^ S'. 'n ^ 4 - ., .tin-',
cHlfi*!’ h> fhnir hr,d Lilli!'' , if; f ’*i!u i-:.*! ’*• ?; , IL.*’' ' . \il .'■■■: •")•••}, nf
({H' lira rutfU'U! »*au .tLaii'* hi* Ja.alr, U ; . d'-. *• u.d* i a . f..-. a’p-.j th.1,1
Uh* iiff.iint'in h. fri'un. dml wifh t n a ■ , a'.d d ; .t i' ^a.:, . '.■■ !irtl
h\ '‘(irn jiru|»!i* af lh»' lUifi-d S(il‘i U^A , n.-i- .a.a ■*■.: . . nd h A.i
lillliihrj . nt' , 4 i‘.d slid'l** ! n.nva ' d' . . A *
withmsl rr''..r'l fn Parti ■ 1 'll w iiMah' t . It v. i: , -I.: Li-. Piat
till* t “lar ! i! uMmu t«s l!.r I ndrd .'"dafr-, v\ a . i- 1 .d ; l..a; fr. >• ' , .f ||ii‘
ihii'rfrul * tall*' , 1 hr ' '■Ma-junU'. fA- .? » -r l 3 tr
J r '•h''*’! i 1 *' .SPllr-.- v.rfr «•' -J . Jiii hrd . and, jl'- (la* * • *»i a*;.; f • («*:«•
n» -i {''h wi?h Iht’ ?j liur (••t-'i' lu I'r |h-. l f-. 1 !. -. a.,,- . V. .. ui-rr
ind“liilr<l la* tlrli*, lit t«i I hr }r«h".a.i t ,i i -i sm- r ■'4 'Id - »M- t. d. . an*
1 *' hr Jirnhiri-tt ht (hr ad. 'i ,f inlt rf «-:?hrf > 'f (!■■ tft i*'* ... :a.-:
(hr r.iiiJit Iifti'j; r.*sjfrndr»l frf, U \l U*A (hr nd r:'j? ii-.-. ..f ‘f^,* fr
ili.''*’l! • 'I'hr j»««>tn-.r l»f* 4 h-iMlri I rat fu-l in}* . fh.d ; . ; j tj;,,, iii;
hr tlilrrlly aliindalrd h> Ihr Irrui'nif hiu rf’
'rUr ♦ M|h|*;a'al 'U r \\«-ndi! aU«l inUnrir r uh'ih v-»aid I..- ,.. . .hid f. Pa*
allrh'dinfr and i rln«'n*-lranr»' i i»f flu* :d.i(r , lu r«- jm'! t < * . ! 'ati.r-
linfia nf fhr ri»ni|».r'l. jnli|.:lil , hu%i,«nrr, hr U*i > dllt«ii 54 ',«L !ii-: Pa ,M'r
rt-Laftlril aM hi»\rirU*n |iiU’!irii tif t hr rnliiji.r I a- 1 a*,’ ij n th* r j. « i , rd
rlrld . Mf, a i fui*inl!n: i»nly i iiuinah* I'nilh-n 'd t{„ /jraf i . ! .if fhr
id' thi* I lilh^ S(ati*'L Ihu * ('UlnK a }i'fr|'"ndii i nr i* a* n.rir uaiahri-ta,
iui'*»ti{l»at ihlr sulh Ihr ffaiijr and dr .iyn t*r fhr l i-.iri ri i » a -.'.a * • I hr
d!\rf* inrs uf nidninli wiih ti lia\r afi'-*rji niari fljl ; afdrrf h ► h, « a aanr
Mf h" a luhifiuiia iirrufdhikt (n fh»“h‘ Hillnm* *• in in dninr ,,, d . ; .iniii *
flu* nihid^ id‘ Ihnar iMilrffiUti ihrin, hi a riHlifuI ^.h r? »- ..f Pn- Lind
fliUfhn »<r atidiofliy hrlurrn (hr fr alwrl i t r d*n. rfajurnf I'f.-h .•»n. afr
\fS. V, n l«at
AnTolUtKillAlMl V Ol-' MAIITIN VAN HUllKN.
551
tsisily m;uh‘, nnd tlu' l)t‘s( <‘vi(UMic{' nl’ ;i ('(irrtM't of llio iiutiiro
;ind (losl^Xii of jijo s.vsh‘ni by .*i juiblii* .MjLroid. Is (o Ik* fomid in ilu"
bi'.Mrlufj: of his oilicinl :u*fs. If his roiuliK’t Ik*' oh;ini(*U‘ri'/.t‘(l l>y ji (U'Sirc- lo
:ulinitiis((‘r Mu' ^!:ov(‘nini(Mi(; upon Ihi* prinoipl<*s which liis const iiiUMils hnvi^
cl(‘clc(l, niul l)y ii (i<*l(‘i'iiiinn(ion to ri‘pinliatc tin* dan^'croiis h(‘r(‘sy tliat; llu‘
Const it ut.ion Is to lu* iid(*rpiK*tod, not by the well nnd(‘rstood initadions of
tla»sc who fraiiuMi and of thos(' wlio a<lopt(Kl it, bnl by what, can !k^ made
<nU. of its words by ina:<ndons hii(n‘pri‘tntion ; if la* liotH'sily luMit‘vi*s tliat tin*
people art» tlu' sat\‘st dt*{K)sitary (jf iM»wt*r, and a(*is up to Unit luMlef, by cndiu’injj:
an unwil!ina:nc‘ss to t‘Xt‘rclst‘ aiit.horily which was not int(Muied to bi' jj:ranted,
and which tlu‘ States and ilte pcoph* lulKid. n<»t. on opiMi nppli<’at ion. Ik*
willhn; tt» Ki’nnt ; If h(‘ has steadily opiK>s<*d tlu* adopiltm of all sclit*nies.
hoW(*vi*r nia^jCJtitlet*nt and cajhiva I In^r, whh'h an* not warrantc'd by th«* Con
stitntion whi«’lt, from tlu* Inetpiallty <»f tlu'ir lienellts and lan’tla*ns, are cal
culated to sow tii.scord wlierc* tht‘re sliouitl lx* nidon, and wld<*h an* too fn*
«pH’ntly tlu* offsprinj: <»f that h»ve of p(‘rsonal aiiihorily and apU'nndizena'nt.
wlilch tnen in powi*r thid it sc ditlii’ult to resist : if tie has doni* all in his
jjower to arrest the Increase of nioiiopoiles, un(U*r all eircumstanei*s so ad
\(‘rs<' (o pulille lllK*rty, and tlie cipial ini<‘ri*sts of (he eotumnidly: if his
otlielal career has lK*en dlsi iiaudshci! Iiy uiiceasin}^ assiduity to promote
ec’ouomy in the ptd»lie e\p(*ndituri‘s, to n‘llc*\t‘ (lu* peopli* from all umu*<*c*s
sary hurllu‘ns, and j':(*nerally to prt'servt* our republican system in tiial sim
pllcily and purity which wt*rt* intended for it umtt*r wliiclii it. has ldtiu*rlo
Iu*cn so suct‘cssfnl, l»y wtdcii It can alone lie malulaincd, nnd i>n aeeoimt of
whieh It has, nidij (his moment, stootl in sucti (*nvial>li* ami |,doriotis <'om
(rust, with tlu* (*nrrnp(. .systems (d’ (lu* old world; If such in* the irae(‘s of his
I tllcial cours{% and if in mahdainluK it lu* shall liavt* lmpn‘S.*jed all mankind
with the eotivh'tion (hat he remu’ds ns nolhlinc, cons(*i(nene(‘s whleli are !iu*rely
personal (o hlmsi*lf, when (iiey (‘ona* In eontaet with duty to his I’omdry, the
piMipIt* of tile 1‘idted Sta((*N will not douht his a ( la(’lmu‘[d. (<» (he (rm* prbi
o|pl(*M of that (*onsi ii lit Ion whieii he has so faithfully atlminksleretl and so
imhly supported, Sueh (lu* commit i<*t* lake jirlde in saylnj*: has liccn the
olUelal courH(* of our present Chief MaKlstrati*. a eour.se liy whieh, in tlie
estimation of tlu* iH*ople of (his Slate, lu* has es(a!ili.sli<*d for himself Im
perkshahle <‘)alm.s‘ ((» (lu*lr ^rat It mb*. n*siH‘<*f and contlileime.
h'lu* eommittee ha\e thus esplalned their views upon tlu* several d(*lieali* and
deeply Inleresthn^ questions before tlu*m, with tlu* fnmUnt'Ss wld(*li bei’omes
tlu* .*;o!emn oc<*asion on \\ldcli they act, and whieh shotdd always (’Imraeleri.st*
I lie inovcmeiifs of a sovcreljm Slate upon malt«*r.s InvolNim^: her n*lnllons wMli
her sbiii'r States. In dolm^ so tiie.v liavt* felt It to he tlH*ir duly to vindiiaite
and evplain the poliiieal prtneiph*s whb’h nri* eiitertaim‘d by tiH‘nisi*lv(*s, ami,
a- (ht*>- beiie\e, by a me.loril> of tlu* aeoij people of this .Stale. In I be perfoi'in-
eiice of ibi.s net of Jii-dii'c iuid <lnt>% (bey have i‘ndeavor(*<{ to avoid all iiopn
tat Ions upon the tnotiv<‘s of those wlio may differ from (h(‘m. 'fhe same
indepemJemK* and lolcrallon which fhi‘y chdm for Dusnsclvi's llu*y are dispo-jcd
to extend to others. Amid'. I tlu* t“ontllct <»f iiden‘sls and feellie.'S wltli wlib'h
tiiose who ai’t* I’ljarjM'd with the cmidnct of pnhiic alTuirs at (ids Interest Injj;
t-rlsl i are obllced to strm.u'lo, (lien* Is happily one opiidon wlileh luis not
,\et met with a dis*;entii 4 : volet* In nil (lu* land; nnd which It Is fcrvi'idly liopt*d
Is foij deej)ly Implanted in tlu* minds and !u*ari.H of (lu* p<*<jple to lu* evt*r (‘radi
eatcil. It pi a (horomdi conviction, that anarchy, <learailat Ion, ami Inlt'i'miiialilt*
tlPtrefiS will he. am t lie, the nimvojthdile results iif a dissolution of ihc union
of Ihe.t* Stales. As*'Oc}aied with this imdeidahle and uiuli'ided truth, and
1;:;' mil of it, tlien* are, we trust, two other .s(*nt inunils (»f eipml mdvt*r.sallly ^^ — ii
552
AMKllK’AN UlSTOIlK’Ali ASS()(’l A'lMON.
(iolorininal Hin lo inainlaiu llu*- union a( all liazanls, ainl a \villin,a‘ni’ss in malvc
lilu'Kal cniuH'Ssions, nay sacrilic(‘s, for llu‘ pr(‘S(‘rval ion of poaco ami rociproral
f-cHKl will anionii*- i<s iu(*inbci‘s. HiJon (Ins .a:r(>al (‘onsorval iv<' plaHonn all siri
con* frioiuls of (lio Union, all who honor and truly mspooi tiu* partino- adnioni-
(.ion of liu* KalluM* of his (lountry, all who pnd\*r lhal i-otiidry ttj thoir own
anihhions viinvs of ja'rsonal a.tJ^.a'randi'/ona'id, and who ari* dispo:;o<i (o i'l\o to
1 h(* Kxooulivi* <d’ (la* Unih'd Slal(*s a cordial and i‘llicit‘nt s\ipp<irt, i-ait inooi
and a(‘l. in coiiccrl; (o ])roino((* (la* j4,n*a(i*s( id’ all (*ar(hly ohjoots. IhTi* all
may (aim tin* i‘ndurin;A' n'spta't aial conhdiaici* (d’ tin* p«‘oplo, \\y an lauiorahh*
sacrilici* (d’ ])(‘rsonal and parly rc(*linu:s on lla* altar cd’ lla*lr (MandryVs ;.ari ty.
^\'c may dilTor as lo llu* lina*, Da* niama*r, or lo tic* i‘Xlon| id’ iho inoa*ajro.s
1.0 hi* c'mido.ViMl, wla*tla*r of com'lllal hai or iMu'rolon. Il camud Ih* (‘\pi*oiod at
llu* ])rcsi*nl crisis, (hat ht»nt*sl and unpri‘judioc«l minds shouhl all happon
to arris’i* at tin* saint* conclusion; hut suoh ilitTi*i*cnoos shonhl md «*oi-a ion
lu'art hurnin^s, much l(*ss rosi*n(na*ids. (hir t’a(ht*rs dillVrod in Ida* maiim*r
in (Ik* <*s(ah!ishincn( <d' (dir < i(n'(*rnna*n( , aial 1 ( is In lain I’ov u ; to h«'po I’or
(*\oniptl<di from similar (*mharrassna'nts. 'Tin* causes whh’h pr<»dm'od (lu’m
havi* iiid yi't (*(’asi‘d to oporalt*; they have Imm u plaidod hy tlo* liaml «d' naiuro,
and caniad ht* i‘n(in*Iy rcna»vi*il h> lhal td’ man. d'hosi% ulms* valor ami
di.sinl('r(*sli‘d paliiidism wt* art* imli*hn*d for this rha inns ^i\'a^■m nndor w ldidi
\v(‘ ha Vi* Si) lon,iX and so happily llxotl, ovi^roaim* (horn h> mulua! oonoi‘:.:d(»n
fUiil (‘oinpromisi*. If every man htoUs only lo his own int{'re;d. <a* e\«-r.v Slate
to Us own ravorili* policy, ami Inseds upon lln'in, thh; I’nitm cannot In* pro'
served. Wi* musi nol de«*eive iuirsel viv: upon tin s pc»hd, or r niter others jo
d(‘ci*jvt* us. Our <*rrid'S, In this rt*;'pi*i*t, ma.v lead («» emtsettmao’e'; vJuidi <*an
n{‘Vi‘r hi* r('(*alli‘d, and over wldefi we and i)ttr po!;tcri(y ma\ Imve nci>aston
lo slK‘d hitler t(*ars td’ repi*idanei‘ ; w** mu-t lalvt* Idvher come el ih.m lhal
M'hich is ih‘riv(‘ii rndu our p«»ela*tr: or i»ur passions: wi* mu ;i he Ju.'d, ami, if
m‘(*d hi*, ji;cn(*i*ous ; and llu* deep and t»veri)owerinc; allaejmn*nf oj’ (hf* t^u'eal
mass oT (la* pi*opli* to tin* rnhdi, tin* lidelHy, eners-ry amt UtrlUmle jU' their
characli*!*, diri*c(ed hy llu* illnstrhdis man pri»\ iitent ially at the head «d’ tin*
<Jo\i*rnm(*nl, will carry us sah'ly Ihridieh the ilama iM v;hteh lhri‘u(i‘n our
heloveti conid r,s ,
T]u‘ lit'port w'us inujUalidmUy aiuiiiis*! l!n* uultith'a! inu iloctrim*
]‘(‘m>unu(*lHle(I u ridlueliou of llje i.ariir and (lie oh cjw anee hy tin*
lAult'ral ( {()\'i'ruuu*u(. of a .spirit nf (Hima'ssion ami fi»rhearance a •
loniy as pra«d ii^ahlt* ami was ar(‘oiupaiiicil with rt* oliU iiin . for earry
ino‘ (iu'se vi(’W:; into (*(lVet. AHt'r many tdlnrts (o stavt*, ijlTor ijualify
llu* (*xpri*s.sii»n of tin' s(*in.i* nf tin* Senate that hoily i‘i)m’iirreti in the
n'(‘nci*al (’(uieltisions of tin* < 'onnnit i ct* Ijv ;i Viitt* of tt) th ami on tlio
sp(*ci(ie rvsolulion in favor iif i()m*irnition hy a vtdo cif ;is (i» I. ‘'rin*
followin/i: wm‘(* siinon**: the nmm‘ron.-, comniciiis npiut tin* Ivetuud
made hy the pn‘Ns:
Ki'om tlu* New York hiVrttino; Post.
''rids dtH*mni‘nt is drawn uj) wi* an* happy to say with an ahillly iMpm! to
the mom{‘nlous and inh’resiiin^: {iU{‘.slions .sidunUted t<f (lu* i'oiimnitec, and di v-
cusses (li(‘m in a lirin ,\a*t eijnelliatory lemiH*r, We need lad i*nler at pri*.eni In
to an analysis oT t\ staU* papt‘r whleh will hi* universally read, l’tirih«*r than to
say (hut' whilst it ])roli‘sls a*'ains(; (la* iloi-trlne of uulliiti*al hm as anarchleal ami
« Uy llu* time thin Vide was taken (he Whirs hail (»l>tahir*d hiP»ru»ii li«n ej’ Mr. eluy u
inti*idlt)n to citiuiironilse.
AUTOUKKUiAlMI V f)]*' MAK'IMX VAN lUMUlN.
t)h:\
<k‘Zih‘s lIizU scn'ssion is n stuf <fr run(«'in|flan*'l h> rlu* r»»fr tun
lion, it pr«>tiuuiift'S llu^ 'rarilt I’.ill (»r llu* last N»v;suin au uumniu’**
of radft'ss Jiiul (*xpri*ssi*s a dcsiri* iliat a i'ai*tlu*r diiulmitlnii uT dutifs fiia> hr
iiiiuu'dlcdrly a<li)l»t(*d.
Kroin (he Alhanv Ar/A'ds of I t ['\'hruarv, Is:*,:'. lu'iH>r( on Xulli
liealion, S(ale riijchts
orriipy urn* (‘<»luuuis Hils lunmllia Urarly {'\r!uslvrly with (Itr; inij-Midaut
jajl)li(‘ (IcKMiiiH'nl lipua nil (In* pnhlh* ^pl•^^;(illns of wliirh ir \ i a nit» mnal and
ahln (‘XposilUui (d' (hn natun' nf mn* puptiral rutnpart tlit'* Miitpu »d parli,-;
lla* pnwnrs rrspiud ividy <d’ Oin Stair and lAnhaMl ( hn minnsat , \uilaa af imu,
srtH'Ssidh and iH'ludllon It b' tla‘ sniind rrpnldiran d»M'triia* id
Ilh'- rj’(‘<*d nj’ thi* 1 ZrnanTary It) tin* rid tiJin»> and at ah tin.rs W r h n »* ind
ihiu* In day (n say nil <d’ this in\aluahl(‘ stair pajna* xvld.fh it uiul lh»* «n.M di*u
sr(*ui (tMlrinaiid a! iinr hainhs \Vr ■.hall rrrnr in It ti>nnnii*u% It util luLr Ha
plarr In thr juditlral n*.Ma-(ls td' tin' »M»tiatr\ h> thr jdd*- tin \ hrindi and
KtnducJiy Ursnitifinn.s and with .Madi:a»n'N Krpini. .Hal h - rr. d, in rl r naan
tiiur, with Kt’rat and rniu’nN'dn/. nit***.- d .
I'lu* ihieHiiou ttf (he \\*hi‘rd to tnakr politiral i*a}»ital unt of the
iiuiltid' was in this way siLMtally tlrhsitisl.
1 fuelostnl a eopy of ( ht‘ entire jn'iieeetlilie fu th«‘ Pt'e i*lrid anh
inroninal hini that. I w;i : tin* ntithor <»!’ l!ie n*p«irf. Nuilune ruiihri*
vvvv pas (•({ lietweeu ii in r.*l:itinu tri }dU u iim 1 t-.
’\\he>hiu^!:(()ii Inr tin* luaiiyiiral ion hi- private Sisartarv .uni mphinv.
Major tnhl uu* that -n* t Ihan*! mn unnl them la hlsu elf
ht'fure he Mthiniltinl in\ h'tler u ith li < Ui ln ui v . to the ( hdit*ral ; that
lilt' ln(h»r rent! nil tin* paper very fleliherah-ly . phu*e.! tlir letter ujam
his hies hnh wit hunt, a \ in*/ a VM»r«l upnii the nh}.-^ t ; :}. h?jd n«d 1 m I
llpoU tin*' ►'^eepetary. \\ ithnut thiuld, tteiea'a! flui’h iHi au iu the
wlnhi^ pnauanlin^ a realr/aliun of the apprelnni i.a? I \n»\ n\|He .-h
to liiiu in my hdter irom LtHttlon ami iu other uav*., ;in*l uu. well
Mitislieil with (tie jtnliriidi . u .iy in v^ lueli the iltilieultv h nl hern hs
posetl of in (he Xew \ tnk Leri latnu*.
'rite, adniini (ration ami it fnetut iu the t \i Lija { knuMv-. . ihh
rnd. p(JNSes:: (ht* pnuer (t. pa , \ isphinlvL lull *.r any fall hm the
reflihdifdi of tlu' farilF that unuhl he 'sU i ,nndiuy to Sidtfh i amun a.
Ip (ridh she vva - m»| ili pn etl to L* ati iie«l uith anv r«‘hef th.if
.should mine fmin that t|tmrter. Ju re peet in the eJii*^ paitv fhev
tdil erl a i uei I ililler<mt di jm itiuu , *1 hat p lii V weuf imh-*-*! anain t
the mdliru‘ni in all .dronr inea nre tie ii/ned to hrlnr’ ihejo to uh«
hii.sioii r*M// Sneh a eMtu-.e ua. md .ddv in liaumuiv uith
nil (lH‘ir pcditienl opiniMir; hut th! . tippnitund v ui ai*lnn*r m -uh
jeetin// the* ntdlilitu* to tlie power u( the ( tuvenuoenf wa made Iitore
rndifyin/^' hy (Ite feelinrs with whr h the .-our e of Souih (\irM|ina
in n^fiiNinr to vote for Mr. t lay and in throw mr auav h»-r ulTiare
U[Jon («en, hloytl had iuipie .ed titeni, lint in all fditri- je pe»i .
they were asMieiatev and eo Worker:, intent ehietiy on tin* .lownfall
of (la* Lresidt‘nt and hi . adinini 4 ra t it»n.
CHAPTER XXXVII.
It is difficult to imagine a more critical condition than that in
which I found the country involved at the moment of my arrival at
Washington on the 26th of February, 1833. The judgment of all
the States, not even excepting that of her closest neighbour and
twin sister, X. Carolina, was that the position which had been as-
sumed by South Carolina was, in the felicitous language of Ran-
dolph both “ weak and mischievous.” The “ Force Bill ” was cer-
tain to become as it did become the law. Having throughout and
earnestly pressed upoii C^ongress the justice and propriety of extri-
cating the State from the otherwise fatal error she had committed,
by a liberal modification of the tariff, President Jackson was pre-
pared to follow wherever it might lead the path which he was al-
ways eager to tread — the straight-forward path of duty. That duty,
in the then posture of affairs, was simply to see to the execution of
the laws, for the enforcement of which he was armed with abundant
powers and, however severe and painful might be this exercise, he
was sure of the approbation of all good men. In such a contest
South Carolina would be unavoidably crushed and yet after the
stand she had taken it was not to be expected that a people so brave
and proud would yield to anything short of relief or overwhelming
force.
Henry Clay was, in the actual state of things, the only man
who had it in his power to extricate them. He was the father
of the so-called American system.; his friends every where — at the
north, east and west — ^had taken open ground against any farther
modification of the tariff and could not be brought to that, the
only step by which civil war could be avoided save at his bidding.
There were then only seven or eight clays before the power of
Congress to act in the matter ° would terminate. Wlien Mr. Cal-
houn came to the support of my administration years afterwards,
there arose a bitter feud between him and Mr. Clay in the course
of which the motives by which the latter had been actuated on the
occasion of which we are now speaking were severely canvassed
on the floor of the Senate. Mr. Calhoun insisted that Mr. Clay
was then in his power — that he was his master ” ! He my
564
“ MS. Y, p. 105.
An'miUtMIIlAPH V {>I-‘ MAK'l'lN VAN l?rilKN‘.
nuisi(‘r"! ri'pliiul Mr. (’lay, wiih iinli;L»:na( i(Mu aral in his Ih*s( tuul
lol’tiosl inannrr I wouhl nnt him fnr mv • laus"'
kiH>wk*(!^(‘ of (h<* [»i’(‘cisr >{a{(’ nf h'rliiii*- \\lii«’h imhirjMl him (o
(‘onsiait (n a siiHuhi’iil inudilifnrnm (hf pruiiM-t i \ i* y tmn lo arri'si.
riir(lu‘i‘ pi'cjrmlin^s i^' iiKi-f [jpuhahly hnritsl \ut!i Mr. (’Ia\ in liis
jL>:ravr. 11iai ia‘ ra pii nlat^al is rrrltiin, hul it wa . tn a \aria(y o-f
coni rolling rir‘t‘mus(ani‘i*s am! nn(, I (hinlv, (d thr ''iafituaiuj Mr,
(’alhoim had at'pnirial n\i‘r hi-* pusitinn, Tla* rMnditinu uf Nh*.
(’jdhoiiii was a hrl[drss (inr, 'Flir si( (ia{ inn intn vvlif’'h la* had IrMm
(‘hii'tly ins! riiimmtal in l>rin^iu;^ his pnaid ‘-(air tlid imlrinl
an induiairr <}Vrr (hr ariitm.-. td‘ all tMinarmtal hn( i( ua - an inllmauH'.
vary Tar frnm that of minmand. i*vll almnt In ht‘ intliriiMl
nil Sniith ('arulina nii aafoimf td* liar aunlnmary tha h* . uf lifa,
oT prnparty and all iha aith'rim' • uhi»*h hdliiu in lit** train nf
hnstih' ndlitury nranpaiimi (n uhirh h**r Ididi juriirtl prujilt* uta’a
(Irstinrd wniild ht* ultrihnttal in Mr. (‘lay' oh i'mah* ailharama* (n
a |)nlit‘y (n a \a*ry n’rtait d<’nrt‘f nl a »’lli h t’hara*'U*r ami hirh
wa-. ra.‘4 In* iniif ^mmul hrfnrr .niimlrr ami uMim r.impn-htm i\p
tlirnrir- anmnr: tlm mmmnnitii*. nj’ tin* uurld. Tlii v.iadd hr nn«‘
nf thr (M'rtain rt* nil if la’ lad’n tal t«t \ add and ii u i fiir* npnn
whirli a man nf hi trmfjrramrnl laadd ma hmk uahmH fh^- t|rrpi-.(
rnnrtM’n, A ppi’nlirn* inn ni pii‘juilirr iu hi p»»puln ilv aid inr'
frnni thi.' >nnrrr, if i fair tn pm tmu\ urm m*f fh»' »nd\ niaiuml ,
(d’ hr itatinn that vvrm pm tmtrd tn hi mmd. l’‘nnr l*m idtmtial
rirrtinns liad tium alma^ls pa rd ar. a\ afirr hr romuirnrnd tlir
cnnsi nirt inn ni Id. hntihv thr '*Amrrirau \ frln/’ and hr \\a
rvidcntly fint sn nrar fhr Pm idrnry, thr |n«Mf nhiirf nf tii aiiihi
(inn, as ht» Imd appramd hi hr uhra hr hrti;'an In umiL. did.
llinll^Ldl i^nnrl raU t’ fnr rrf}rrfinii UU - md nf if rll' ullirit'id fn in.llirr
him tn ahaminii hi mIV pi inii^ f,, fhr dn i imi «if In nppnmmi ;
'.niiirfimr a ui r frp huf nnr u Imdt antlrn tad inirinui . ridnm
iia\r iitraarJit m nlntmu (»» tains Ihn hr mi'dit a»-il M-‘»ard hi
pa t r\prrif*nrr fd it llftlr nrrr . m fmnmp fhr piildir ndlid ill
Id - fauair a at Ira -t lillirirni In drim* liiln fiMin i nr, ,nn!ri in?';
iH’W amh in lid ra r, r vf ranrdinary ir pun didifa* in if np[>nrf.
Nnthin^^ i. imu or ha. r\rr In-ru rh airr tn m^. mind than tlmt thr
a^'rm’s nf fhr (atafl ipm fimi in prndnrin** poluird . dni ha. al
ways hrrn pmatly mrrratrtl. do yn mf.* fhr rKannnafion of fhr
ira'fJtj. fcir thr di ajipninffumf . on fhr paif of | hr uppoifrr. nf
thr pi'ntrilivr y trin in thrir rrliattrr npnn tiial ar« nrv unnld hr
fnrripi fn my prr I’Uf nhjr-rf . and I V« ill fhnrfoir k onfrnf tns rif
with Miyiiu.^ tliat in my rntmt\ and fatr, l.ofh nf ulurh pu r,
luarlual fat'ilnir fnr inami farf uriny r fahh hmrm , { nru-r, in
thr uhtdf roin r f*| m\ huir and atdur paifi an r\pi’rirnrr, knru
an (drrfitin (hi^ m n!t »d' whiidi I had ntliru’iif ma *111 tn iirlir\r
656
AmiJUTdAK irrsTonicAh
was coni rolled l)y I he a^'ilul ion (d* dial suhjt'rl. 'This has not been
for the want of hnsy a^Jjiiation Tor ihi'n* are Inil lew if any of tlu'.
States in the coiil’edcj’acy in which the <|iu‘s(ion has (‘onstil tiled a
more prominent point in (lolilical discussions. In addition to the
(!onsiderations 1 have referred lo,^ we know, from his own ileelara
tions, how laro'cly Mr. (lay was inihumeed hy appn‘hensions.,
founded on the sii>*ns of the tina's, that his systtnn was di'stined
to a s[)e.e(|y overthrow and hy a conse(|uent dt*siiv to save from the.
wreck as nnu*h as mi/i.h( hi' seenri'd.
Mr. C^lay s speei'h of the ‘Jath of Kehruary, hs;k‘h in re.ply to Mr,
Wi'bsti'r who opposi'd his (‘ompi’omist' hill, is truly an exi raordinary
production. '’.Idle reporters, (hdes and Seaton, say it. wa:’’ the. only
one of his spei'ches diirinn; that, short hut inosl 1 ‘xcitin‘j,* session
whii'Ii lie prepared for tlie press himself, and it :.hows (’k'arly the,
/.j:n*at pains lu' hestowi'd upon il.‘ I cannot hut. ihink that tlioiin'h
shorter than many, it is distini»;irn:Iiahle from any spi'ei'li of his
extant f<u* its liatipy eomhination id' close ainl stroiijL^' rt'aMminje;
for whieli he possessed ample [loweis; aliiio* he was not oftmi inclined
lo exert du'iii witli p'liuine elot|!ienep which was natural to him
and to which lu' deli'i.’hicd in nfivinn* free st’optn d’la* ociaision of
its delivery was one of the two on which his fiudiiiiij's wim’c more
deeply enlisted than on any oth(*r in tlu' course of hi-; (’hi'ckcrcil and
(‘I'lailfiil lif(‘. ''riu' lirsi was when lu'. was chai’/^ed \uth havin<»‘ htani
induced to desi'if (hi' political Jiarty in which he was ri'ared from
boyhood and with the movements of which some of the hri^hii'st.
feaUires of his puliliiail I'ari'er were iiidisputahly assoeialed, hy (he.
a llnnanenls of ollh-t*, and on tlnit of which we now spealc he was'
fri'cly eliar/jL’i'd with ahandonin^* a national policy wliieh he had
been principally instrumental in fostering into existence from in-
ilueemeiils of a mi.xeil nature, lull none of them, to a [n-oud or able
slatesman, free from humiliation. Th<» former attack was of u more,
personal eharaeter ami therefore niori' t'XusiieraiinL^ in its elleets.
It crossed his path when h(‘. was comtiuratively a youno; politician
proutlly elaiminfi to he animated and jirovei'iied by a ehivalrons and
self samalieinp;' spirit, and 1 Inivi* (dsewhere. Muitureil tlie opinion
that he treated the ^ifrave impeachment, at leas], nn.skilfully. When
(xeiiernl rJaeksoids witni'ss, Mr. lUiehamuiv d()d/i:ed the point, lie
should have scouted further ini|niry and indifrnantly turned his
hack upon an imputation misustaiued hy the man to whom his ac
cuscr had himsi'lf referred for its ov\ir\n and support. If lie had
iloiu'. so Ids subseiiueut career would liavi'. lieeu a happier if not a
more successful one, Tlis present embroilment was li'ss calculatial
Mn U(‘^,nHU‘r of ixamten, ix, i)U 1, T21X-H!. yjumoH lUu'lHumn.
APToaioUUAlMI V OK MAKT!N VAX Ul'UK.X.
557
to htirass liini in his piTsonul fiM'Iiu/LCs uinl ilu*rt‘fon‘ loss (rn(inalify’
for disrrroi on lln^ part tif a man of his itnpnlsivo dis-
position, It involvi‘d pniudpally tho \vis<lom of his vii*\vs as a state's-
man, a ma(((*r whiedi conld iirnv dispa-sionate'ly ht^ disrir^sril and
acted upon than oiu' which implic^l personal dishonor. M oceurrt'd
also at a period wlu'U lu' Innl hemi lonir in ptd>li(’ life, wlu'O his sensi ■
hilitie's laid hta’ome stmiewlnd hlunti'd, a condition if not vi‘r\‘ at
ti’ae'tivt* in a li*adcr wliom we irn'liiu' to atlmire yet not without i(s
us(*s to him in the roii‘rh and tnmhlt' of pnhlic lift'. Hut whati've'r
mav have occa^io^u*il it^ <d' the fad that hi' hore himself with inti
niiely hi'tter* p'aci’ ainl su taimnl his ptr.ition more sucee . dully there
cannot hi* the sliirhtc I douhi. llaviiut always estimateil his rhetor^
ical powers liiahly, especially for tlie theatre <d' a popidnt* as- emhl\y
1 havi* seldom failed to read his : pei-ches, ami cd' all deH\ereil hy him
sin(*(' he chan/jfed hi ■ political po .ifiou I am imdineil to remird this,
('verv thiujLt eon-ideretl, a - the 'djlest ami the mo;.t ereditahle (o hi;
hi'Jirt as wi'll as to his heuil.
d'his ;;peeeh I my waiTatit for my inti'rpretaf ion of the tuofives
hv NN’Iiielj h<‘ wa ; n'nv«*rm‘d. Its entire .‘.cope r hou : hi; eon I’imr:
mvs that (he <|Uc tiou of pacihcaCiMn or eivil war dt^pcmlcd upon ht :
indi\idual aetimi and hi . Keen .cn iti\cne in tin* c.»n I tajet itni-. that
miirht he put upon that action »if the character I have .Mle‘s•^lcd.
''d'hev \\ill accu e u- of imh ifcrencf' to tin* pre mvatlon o| tln'<
Hnion, and of helm*' \\ini!n'' to e\pn c the I'Uintry to the daue'cr’*
of (dvil Who*'' ua prondmai! amon*/ the eoti t'-quetua- . uhich he
iu'ld up ti» the view of Mr. Whd» ter of tin* ineSorahle adlierem’i* to
the taritr as it toud for which fht* latter contended, The e <’on
sideratioiis .MMUm'il to hall mihei*de»l on Mr, W eh . ter', hrea 4* IIi>
ititiitilihtni wa brief and I had fdtmi t aid hloody. South Chtro
lina mu t retraM* her tep under the law a It Uatnl., or thiiui:s
imi.st fake their i’oiO'e, 1 hi* appreheii ion that t 'nni,n*e wdl he
utnter food to hn\e neted under the inllnmre of panii\ was, in his
judriuent, uOieient to » In e the thinr Upnlt the thought • of conejlia
lion. Mr. t la\ liad hoped tliat the el i i wa m4 yet *» near at
Imnd a hi < opponent Nerim*«l willllu^ to helieve it to he. lie thnueht
South < *aro|ina wntdd :nud her r!f of the retpie | of \ irninia. eon
veved throuifh WhilKin . lesjdn to po tpone the evecution oi her ordi
nanee until the end of the ne\| e ion of doii‘/re , ami that, of
I’onr ta tin* Pre id< nf wotd l tas lu , hand. Hn! thim eame ihi'
eonehi ion, tie* tippnrt of wh:» h foianed mi lar‘'e a portion of lus
\(*ry aide iieech, that hi tine* the pii\deire of eomaliation, with
the pow«*r of inodlfyiur^ the tariff, wotdd hav** pa* ml from their
Kami to tho e of the Ihe ideiil and !o friends to aell an authority
' Mh UH
WtLUit \\ HI • h*i:h \| \
hhS
;iln‘;lily :n ful'iiaduMr a - • v
rf'frift. 'I’t* .‘ii tiiiH ih^ a:..?,
aiitl farts <»[ jir-nsif iifi'-'H') ni’l ft'
'Vlw pri'u al au»i fH*h »<f Ir il
ill all rr Ijr*'! fta* JHanilf.
It : M hapjiiair.i that 1 h.i»l al “
lu:-^ pMsitinH. Ih inli' Mr, t till l-a
lirf ai \Va- lunL^**!?. t prrptir-!, a
lia\r f«f ulr»U * • 'U»a h ?t I* ai .ii-l
prinripal fratiiri*'. ar*! rrk-ni.*-l !:a i
till’ NfW \‘nrK L''ri .uj^i idi-f-r S-
prnUititt* ihf .‘ainr <'1^1 I fhl» ’ •*?;? ■ t
lalitUi a pul*l.*‘ i!ir*p.»a, Hai'ts-ir-!
mini tratimi iu Phitn t'fpirt i, '‘'“Hip jn
ticni* ft* li! pnlitnail a, m* mfs- ihif Ihr t
Untihl hr r\h*!i*irjl fij. ! h»’
pi\t‘ i(» uliil t t«i »i‘« ■'* i - -n f!i» a t
a!n*a4v 1**“ full mI h.* a.lsi -- t h* h - lu.r-
tMiuriirriai*' ilhi trainni . ai , i- ,
.‘(aarr-. ill ms pr*’\rri u hs a vm
1 aill ami «li»l uptm flu* nhjrrt »*| {!,, i..u
an iardii iili^rahh' a*hl::f raMl . f',
IIh* i'rmnl Mihr r un»h i r!u'
nnt t«i a^i prdhahiist^ Mf ni-, sa * !
prridtl nf fnur }*MV . irph, r^.r- i ' ^
praparr»( u itli hat am.' r.ii**- ■
uith a fall tadulr-h;'.* -'.m-
whh’h phu't* I ■«'!. a ha riusl i*. jfL ad.
myt-ll a:flul in piittiap ati rii4 fls- put
that f* «i.
1 hr tulhiumr ^ an rvfiart fnnii aa h-n
pnhli' hr«l :
'rhr J«lr »'JJ
r . ••;r 1
>rf i rajihi*? |.?i! nsa.l ?
‘ -i * ■
uhriri.^ naH'H.'V 1*"; .-i'.v.;.
...?. : r- 1
1 • !*» Sat" iiin'-J ^•^*\ 1 a
.r a..
rf ihr falift u! r %m .s. i . .
SS. 1
AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF MARTIN VAN BUREN.
559
and to have become the favorite and universal sentiment. These important
points established there can surely be nothing in the residue of the subject or
in the details of the bill by which they are to be carried into effect, that, if
acted upon in a proper spirit, may not be overcome without threatening the
public peace or endangering the stability of our Union. Any measure which
shall successfully accomplish the objects proposed, and which shall be of a
character to recommend itself to the moderate men on both sides of the ques-
tion (the only securities we can have for its permanency) will, without doubt,
receive the approbation of the people and restore the different sections of the
Country to those relations of peace, affection and good fellowship which are
- indispensable to the prosperity and happiness of each and all. That these
great objects shall not fail for the want of such an arrangement is so em-
phatically demanded by public sentiment, as to allay all apprehension. Should
the present Congress, unfortunately, be unable to effect it we may count with
confidence upon the speedy and successful efforts of the next. Until this de-
sirable result shall be attained we have a safe guaranty against violence and
discords in the discreet exercise of executive authority, the pervading patriot-
ism of our countrymen and that sacred, inextinguishable love of union which is
' the predominant master-feeling in an American bosom.
That Mr. Clay should not, after his long experience, have been
brought to doubt the efficac}?’ of his American System, at least as an
element of political vStrength, is scarcely possible, and if his own
advancement had been the sole object of his labors in its support
he could not have furnished a wiser course than to have submitted
quietly to its overthrow by the assaults of his successful adver-
saries. There was no way in which the advantages to the Country,
which he claimed for it if the policy was sustained, might have
been pressed with greater safety or less trouble because all the
I mischances and embarrassments of business, from whatever causes
arising, would have been attributed by the manufacturers to that
overthrow. But I cannot now, when the passion and prejudice
I of that day have run their course, read this speech without believ-
ing that much of Mr. Clay’s original confidence in the soundness
and value of his system — ^if it could have a fair chance — ^had sur-
vived his many disappointments. Doubtless the insatiable craving
of the manufacturers, “ whose conscience is their maw,” and whose
gratitude for benefits received did not at all times bear fruit for
him, must have again and again disgusted the benefactor who had
^ contributed so liberally of his time and faculties to their 4idvantage,
but we may assume that he regarded these as sacrifices unavoidable
in any great public cause, and I have, as I have said, reviewed these
^ . transactions at this late day with a strong faith in the sincerity
of the assurances of continued confidence in the system which were
drawn from him by the circumstances in which he and it were placed
and which were expressed with so much earnestness and true elo-
quence. Mr. Clay pressed the measure of conciliation of which he
was, on his side, the exclusive author, and which he alone could
560
AMMllK’AN lllSTOllK’Ah ASSOClA'riOiV.
have made successful, to ils perIVcl (’onsummarinii and (lius savei^
the Country from a convulsion wluidi imjH'nded ovm* it, Ihn'titnuin^
to put our entire political sysUan lo a s<'Vi'ri‘r I rial I ban any tc:>
Avhich it Iiad ever been (^xposcMl. In (liis lu‘ was doubtless in
inconsiderable de|>'ree inllueucial by considiu’alions pt'rsonal to
self, but if we are never to awai’d praise^ ff>r lu»n(*llcial a<‘lions uix^
less they are wholly free from sneb induetunenls (law must lu' vvibh.^
held a]t(>;L»*ether, for the I'ataw)!’ publii* men lliiis inunaeiilali' has
yet arisen in the world, in my opinion he nmdtUHal bis ca)tmtry^
on that mem()i‘al)h‘. occasion, a service foi* wbidi be was eminencly-
eutitled to its res[)(*<’( and i>ralilud(‘. If lu* lail<*d (o rt*c(‘i\a* lheis<^
in a full measure, (he ([(‘lieicmey is to bi* altributed (o political coiix-^
j)li(‘ati()ns in which luv had miha}>pily involvc'd himscdf ami throiighi
wliieh he was made resi)(>usihle for mauy politicjil didimiuencies not
his own.
Ills co?uluct nheii (a)nti’asl(‘d with that of his soimdime cvoparti-.
sail, hut always ri\’al and ncwau’ uiujualilied fricmd, Mr. W'ldistex'^
calls for i‘Spi‘eial praise*. If jin* omis ion to n‘ndc‘r n hirfh publics
service when‘s opiiortunil}^ oifen'il <*ou!d iwer In*, exciisetl on tlici
ground tluit the act would enure U) (he presc‘ut advantage of thosc^
Avho had hc’cn [lersonally hosdlc* (o him, Mr. (lay would have*, liad^
In (hat (‘.risis, mmdi s(ron<i;c*r just ilicat ion (han his disi i 0*^11 isliecX
eont(‘mporary for foldiujii,’ liis anus and suDVrinc: (hin^,; (o lake*, theix'
coui’se. “for (lo use* his own s(ron‘jf Iaii;u!;uam‘) ‘m^vim sih‘iitly c'azinLg*
on tile ran’in^ siorm and mijoyiuc* ils loudc‘si, (humh'ir^'' In his flrstr
^rcait poli(h*a! disasfrr, (hi^ adrndin^' {‘ircumstancc's nf which had
sunk (h‘(‘p in Ins liiauf , lie. round, or (hon^hl lu* foinul, iii ; most ao-
tivi* and implaeahle ('n<‘mi(*s, in (hi* ranks of Mr. ( ‘alhotin'r. ijolitic-etl
folio win/j;'. 11(» earih*d (he lKdi(‘f Ihi'o’ life* I do not- say udlU ha^w*
much jiislness— (hat. Mr. Kn*mer, of Pennsylvania, svlurn* curd was
(he lirsl. promulgation of (lu* char^*<* of a har^ain with Mr. Adairts,
aeled und(‘r (he advice of Mr. iiic:ham, of wlujst*. polilical n'latioxx-
ship with Mr. (^ilhonn from a v(*ry t*arly day 1 have* a!ri*at|y .spoke-n-
Jfis fri(*n<|, (J(*n. was a{. (lu* (inu* on (lu* point. <d* (i^^hiiiio- a
duel wi(h Mr. Calhoun’s richt-haml man, (len. McDuIlh*.’ ^I'owirLg
oul, of dispiilc*s in rc'c^ard io (lu* same*. subjt*cl, Indi'cd (lu* warfax'O
hi‘tw('(‘.ii rfackson and (‘lay, upon (hat. and o(lu*r {lu*mes of a pox’-
somd nature, was ))nin(*ipally {‘oiulueti‘d by tlu*. fric'nds and pcu’soixal
a.dli(U’(*n(,s of Messrs, (day am] (‘alhonn respecd.ivc’ly nnlil these* latter*
found t]iems(*lvi‘s arrayed side, by side* in (jppositiou to lb’c*sidexxt>
fbiekson’s adminisi ration, ddu* men M'bo Inid be(*n nujsf pi’ominexx'fc
in those exch.cul times and eonfli(‘(.s now (ifxurcul camspiciituisly ixx
“MS. V, i>.
ArTOIWtnntAlM! V OK MAiri'tX VAX lU’itKX.
the Soulh Carolina moveiiu-nt am! an upport nuil v \\a.-, pnv onte<l
to hiiin not of’ his own .-eckiniji’, to o-Jin revenn.v npun thmii it he
incliiUHl. I>iil Ik' was ainAo -n»‘h imsaiuir,.-.. Hr Unrw tli(» r oviith'
UK'H to 1 h\ ill (he maim ‘nnirroir; >pn*i(‘\ wlm, uln>\ inn,' (hr impnl.-cs
(']' (Inhr hearts, Innl I’a Jilv rolloweil their haoh r U\ :\ pierhpire i’roiu
w'hieh one sti^p more uonhl jjlniiMe (hem in irrtn rii*\ ahh* rnim ami,
not' suthn’ine; hinrclf to hi* staye»l Titnu eta inp hi < (‘ouniry hv the
nt‘ei‘ssitv of sparinp’ his (mtnnir , ht‘ uimi .(rai;*hl Torwar.! to his
ohjt‘et ami aeeotnplishe«l the .'‘4irt*ty {>{' huth. Ihi eonr e was hi»hh
lionorahh' ami pulilie spiriteil, ami If Mr, (*lay failetl tu enjo\ ih<*
<‘r(Mlil of it. in life tliat ermlit shouhl he avuirdetl to Id;; meimn v.
But Uu', (ruth of hi tiU'v, whose elaim. st;ind iuune;i uraldy ahoxe
all other eonsiili’rat ion , mn \ atl:o-|i tn Mr. Whlc.ler' enminef at
that' tryine* imammt a \er' »!itrereut eharaeter. It hdl far helow
that hrie;h(. example hefois him. He had un enrre pomliie* ran e :
of (‘omplaint aeain t Mr. (‘alhoim and Id fieaul . d ue »jnarrtd
Ix'twecm (day and (‘alhtJim ami (htdr foilnwer !iad liem a unarred
<d' former friend -, marked h\ the extreuie \ijdenee and Itlfterm* .s
that, dist inpuisli eivil from foreifm war or faiidly tli mt ioe fro{,i
coni ro\‘ei> it‘ ; hidween fran‘''rr , llftweim thtsi: and Mr. \\d d f*>r
tluuH^ had hetm imthinp' he}ond flu’ eonumin oppu Itiim id' p:irtv («»
pariy repuhliean analn i federali t;.. I imiy !>•* mi t;dom, I et*r
ttlinly hope tlial 1 am mi taken, hut ike aU e| \ at mn «»f a !»inr .and
!ietiv(‘. p«)Ii(ieal life ha^e ilre.-^id Uii* more i.n tin than !iie\ ha\e
(hnie on any other point if Mr. \\d*h (er w.v, e\er e;ipa!«|e iif
eisine; a maenaniimm forhearanee otwart! a pidituad oppoie nt
whom he believed still iaiflifnl ti» hi > fidem! and in ♦■as e ( tn tie-
(Kaaisioii luMori^ U . he faded to exhiitlt a t raet* iif nrh fm-line. He
saw in thnmx’rals the author of hi' own failure under pro pees,
wldu’h, so tar as the\ had hreu heimled oft ‘*re;if ahdnie.^ jii tdie.l
hi.s s;in;fnine hopt* and hr ermed to kite titeio ffojji the lioMom
ol his lasirl. lIi ill e^dl yielded only m ile^Te*- a. (lio in whom
it was diri'eted jell tj*oni m'urr in |hr* r timation of their «>v. n jm
li(i(‘al hi’ethrmi: If .mu* proiufd ueiBter Ca ter imr faitfe i, Imt ended
in a. Iratermd emhraee oid\ uljen iheii eparation from litt ir tCriuer
nss()(‘iatt*s Wa ^ rtunplide, Althoii./h tie* milf'tim . .afterward , -i u-d
him at a Lri‘eaf pmejj hi* then knew tfiiao onK a a el.i oi meti
from wlinui lie had rt*eei\.'d o,,tul eaie e i»| often t ni fhe.r un at ! idle
and enieimit opprj itlon, and *a<heu In* aw them fallin.**' he urr prorjs-
to press tliein to thi* ntnit? I, So mUk h at \aiaaiiei- wa In . p»i
with tin* dietate of a inaenaidmon : nature atjd with the piiJper
spirit ami phdt»’<)p!i\ of pohtaad Ai\i ‘on t! 5 at Mr. t lav, in that
dehati*. one of tie* \erv lew, m lanee. m uhteh : ueh a thiiu*' oe
H!7tsa oH,*j I'o
562
AM:KIM(^VN IllSTOKK’Ali ASS()(’1ATI()N.
ciiiTod — far excollod him, (M’ou in tiu‘ drpart uu'n( ol st'VtMa* tirijcu-
nicnl. in whit‘h hr ronnnonly ovrrprtMaal his IVllow It'^islainrs.
Thr. stair of my own forlin^s at that. intt*n‘s( inii; <’risis is shown
by rvitlriic.r (hr. truth of whii'h woulil not la' <|iU‘s|i()iuMl at this
(lay by any randid mind. I had srarcady rr(uni<Hl (o ilu^ Count ry
brfoi-r I was intrrro<i:aird upon all tlu‘ irrt'at- publi(» (|m‘stions of
t.lir day^ iiududin/L*; nullilicatiom l)y a mrrtin.a* ludtl tit Sliorro Spring
in North ("arolina professing* to rrjirrsmit ditlVnmt. parties. 'I’hr.ir
I(‘tter reached me whilst on a visit to llu' wi'shnai part- of Nmv York
juul my aasw'cr, tdthoii^li dated at Owasian tht'. residt'iire <if my
friend (iov. Throop/ was principtdly writtem in pimcib whilst, trav
(dlin^ in public, conveyauct's. It is to be found in tlu' b>d vol. of
Nil(*s’ lv(‘gist(‘iy and contains a hri(*f ‘^k(‘tch of (In* principli‘s by
which my (*ourse was then and afic*rwards uniformly p>V{*rtuMl. 1
hav(‘ never iiri'jiared a pajan* of that clinractm* with whi(‘h 1 havi*
be(Mi la'.tter saiisliial. d'o do it full justici' (lu^ reader should know
in advanci' ihui (In* pro(*e(‘diji”* and (*all upon nas tho profesxnlly
tlu‘. work (yf supporters as wvW as o|)]a)nt‘nts, oriirinatial svith and
were (‘onlrolUal by tju‘. hitter and wina* so U!idi*rst<HH| by na* at tlu^
linu*. Hut this is not tlii' only or tiu' pi’incipal contemporaiuMais
I'xposition of my vit'ws in n'^’ard to tin* (pu'stions td’ the period io
whi(‘h I now rt'Jer. liatlli'd in (heir di*si<j:n to product' a schism in
our ranks in the ij(*fi:islatur(‘ oui* op]a)nimts didcrmim'd {t> ri-ort to
a. publi(*, uu*.e(in<*; at Albany as a na'ans to (hat end. Ihmjamin
Knower, an old rt'imhlic^aiu a man of hi‘jrh charactei* and e (imation
and fa.ther-iu’-Iaw of Mr. Man'y, tlu'ii Covi'i’iioi’ nf the State, had in-
volvi'd his consid(‘rahl(‘ fortum* in spetadat ions in the pundiase and
sale of wool and stood in immimmt danf,Ci*r of b(*in^ wholly ruiiH‘<l.
Altho’ thro’ life a man of iuti'^nnty his politics hc(’anu% at len^dh,
conti’olhul hy the* ('xi<j!;enci(‘s of his (icvuniary circunistanci--. and
thus impelled In*, ri'solved to do all in his powiu* to previmt a moili
li(‘ation of the taritf whieh was retjuired to set th‘ the ditrumlty in
South (kiroUna. To advance this ohjeaM lu' unittal his efforts with
those of the opposition to obtain an (‘Xpn»ssion from llu‘ city and
statci (so far as tlie latter could hi‘ done thro' a nu'elin/i; at the si'at
of (io\*enunent) apiinsi uullifieut ion hut. also apiinst (‘onn'ssion. Ih*.
was a man of much intliu'iu’e and activity, the. fonm'r l«‘iii|ui' of (ujurse
au<!:ment(*d liy the redation in whieh he stood (o tlie (Jovi'rnor. He
had a call drawn up for a meetinjn!: without distimdion of party to
exiin^ss its opinion upon the jj^reat ciiU'st.ion of ilu‘ day, and ht' oli
laiiual to it (he sitrnidanvs of all or almost all of (he leadin^^ frimuls
of l)ot;h (1 h* State and National administrations (lum at (la*. s(‘at of
' KnoN 'riionnwon Tliroop.
11!.“,. The pinnphh't, 5 pp., printed l>y Hlulr 1H;m, h* ii, (ho Van Unnnt I'jqHM-i.
AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF MARTIH VAH BUREN,
563
the State Government, as well as of those in the opposition and a
large number of gentlemen who, like himself, altho’ democrats, Avere
immoA^ably intent on npholding the tariff. Of the result of such a
meeting, in a city then largely opposition, Mr. Knower and his asso-
ciates considered themselves justly secure. A great number as-
sembled at the City Hall, in answer to the call, and, after an excited
effort to act in concert, separated — ^those who really approved of the
course that the Administration was pursuing retiring to the Capitol.
At their respective places of meeting each portion adopted resolu-
tions expressive of their opinions. Both condemned nullification
without reserA^e; that division of the original assemblage which had
rej)aired to the Capitol declaring also in favor of a further modi-
fication of the tariff, in conformity Avith the recommendations of the
President, whilst those who remained at the City Hall — ^by far the
greater number of whom belonged to the opposition — protested in
the strongest teians, against the proposed change.
Pending the preliminary movements for these meetings and shortly
a fter they had been held I addressed the folloAving letters to my con-
fidential friend Silas Wright, then representing our State in the
Senate of the United States. I have elsewhere mentioned that after
the publication of his letter to me in iTgard to Mr. Sanford (which
Avas surreptitiously obtained and given, to the newspapers by the
opposition) he made it a rule to destroy the letters on public af-
fairs in any degree confidential which he received — a determination
1 have much cause to regret and of which I Avas not informed until
after his death. Upon a careful examination‘s of the papers left
by him these, and a feAv others of less consequence, Avere found. I
had kept no copies and had no divStinct recollection of their existence,
'riiey bear Mr. Wright’s endorsement and are noAV inserted here,
verbatim et literatim^ as the best evidence of my vieAA^s at the period
nnd as candid contemporaneous explanations of the political move-
]nents and measures of Avhich they speak.
TO SILAS WRIGHT, JR.
My Dear Sir
I nave really not time to write you, but Avill do so in a day or two. Our
friends are deeply disturbed by tbe call wliicn lias been made for a public
meeting tomorrow and to wbicb they nave lent their names. Our friends have
howGA^er determined to attend and sny honestly and fearlessly what they
think. The meeting Avill be very numerous and possibly quite animated. Be
not apprehensive of doing what yon, in the honest exerci.se of yonr excellent
judgment, think for the good of the Country. The people desire -that justice
shall be done and the public i>eace and harmony preserved and Avill support
all honest men in the discharge of their public duties, of the sincerity and
“ MS. A’^, p. 120.
564
AMKIUCAN IllSTomCAl, ASS( K ‘I A'l'K ) S' .
iuti'i^rily of wlios(" iiiotivt's iht'y art" sadstV^d. 'Plu' nu*aus taktai litM’t' tn
action iipon (lu‘ siilutM*! oT tln^ (arilT will product* a st*vt*n* reaction.
UtMiuunlH'r nit' coi’illally to IIolTnian anti tin* rt‘sl of my fidomls, ainl lM*licvt*
int' to bt*
Vt'ry truly ytuir.'^,
,M. \ \N r. I'UIIN,
.Tany li:Ul, IKVA,
TO SM.AS WHIOIIT, .fU.
AI.H.VNV, hU'h. ‘fUi ISAA,
IVfV DK.Mt SlU
I was i’avort'd' wltb yours td’ llu' Ublii ultinit> last t‘Vt'nlim for which acc«‘pt
my lliaidcs. You havt* iH'ton* lids .st*(*n tlic ju’oots'dluK*^ <d’ our t’ricmls la*ro,
anti ilu' lit'porl of tin' Joint (\unmltlct* will hurt' htum stud t«> you hy many
Jiands. 'I'ln* si*i)arntiou which lot»k piact* at the- (Mty Hall uu't'tiiu: was a
providtuil iai twtud, hy which political dt*siarus that had hiaui nurstal with ^ri'al
cart* liy tuir op|Htni‘ii(s wi*ri‘ promplly and i‘Ilicaciously hatii(*cl, ami tin' Ih'puli
deans ol’ this State* placed tui ht*lti*r ^'TouiuI In rt'spf'ct to tin* tarilV than tht»y
Jmvo {*vt*r li(*rt*tort»rt' stootl tan d'ht* ctjurst' td’ our city frlt'inls will In* rally
siistaim*d hy tin' sinci're frit'nds of tin* administration in tin* Statt', with tint
A'sy ir any t*.\ci*tdlons. ami- (In* lit'port of ttn* Coinmitti't* approved. Tar as
rt'latt's i;o luillllieation and s(*ec.ssion, hy a nnanlmous v«d«* ami In all (d!u‘r
n'Kpt*{*(s hy till' imhrokt'ii slrt'nndli of iht* lU*iuihlican side td’ the twt^ nturtes.
I roa:n't. Diat yon should In* so annoyed hy .snaacst hms as h) the prtihahh*
(‘lTt‘c( which tin* coitrst' of my t’rh'inls In I'oiup’t'ss may ha\t' on fin* nc\f l’rt‘.sl
th'niial t‘lec(lon. You coiihl not, my ih'ar Sir, havt* in*tj(*r t*\prcsscd my ti\N'n
rt*t‘lln.!j:s uptMi that point than you h.'ivt* doin* in your replit's to mjol) inflina
l.ltnis. All I dt'sln* Is that my rrlmuls should ptin'tn* that «*tuir; «• which, in tln‘ir
own unhhisscd Ju«l.a:tnt*nl, iht*y shall think will he*:! .snhst‘rvo the inters, i jd’ tin*
(’tumiry anil tllspt*nsi' tin* lara:(*s( share <d’ jnsli«*t* to (*vcry part (d’ It : ami thc,v
conid in no way net mon* contrary t«) my wishes ilian hy allnwln;^ t ticm’.elvt*s
to he tlivt‘rl(‘d from that etuiiva* ity tin* coiisidcrat ion r«*rt‘rred i«i. 't‘he people
will in lln'lr tjwn Ilnu* eoiieeidralt* upon Iht* Indhitlnal whom lla'.v lhlid< best
adapit'd to tin* oet^aslon ami no one, I a^^stire y<ai, v. ill actpdi'set* In their tin
hlasst‘d d(*elsi(»n nptdi that snl»Jt*et with mon* eln't*rfnlnt*ss than myst*!!’. ir
ihi*reroi’o lln‘re an* any so rt'ekle.ss as to si'i'/e noon tin* present tllstractt'd
.state of (In* (‘onntry to hirlht*r vit‘ws td' jter/onal ainlullon ami an weak as
to l)t*Il(*vt*. ntdwllhstandimr tin* t*\pt'rlt»mM‘ |fi (he I’oidrary of tin* htst twenty
years, (hal tin* Presideney ran hi* n*aehed hy mt'ans td’ coinldnat tons, howt'ver
artniily di'vl.si’d, tu* ladlvlihial ami st*j(isli I'lVtirts of any ilescrtpf ion, my triemls
will, I trust, do me the justha* to kf*t‘p nn* t*nllr(*ly dlseonnecttul rrmn any
sneh in(rii':ut*s.
'riial. it Is the anh'id ulsh td’ tin* Uejuihlieans of lids Stalt*. wltlnuit arty seri-
ous diversity of opinion, that tin* dlssatlsraeilttn wldeh (*\isiH at the Sontii
shall he rt*mnv(‘d hy a r<*dueton td’ tin* rt'venue to tin* wants of (In* t;ovt‘rnna*nl,
upon the prinelples stntetl In the R(*pi)rt td’ tin* .Joint, foinmlflet* of the Lci*is
lalun*, i.s beyond tdl doubt. 1 am tin* hist nmn who would ever allempi in
t*xt*relse any Inllut'iiet* over my IVieinls tdher than sneh ns to ht* derived iVom
a frank lidorehanrrt* of opinions and views upon t'lpial terms, if I etudd ht*
^ain enouj:'}! ttj suppose tlnil I possesstHl any olIn*r whitdi I am in»l. It Is
{lit*r(*r(jr(' with im such view that I say what, from my prt‘st‘nt imslllon and
(In* knowlt*dk:(* 1 pnss(*.ss of tin* dllllculty of arrivlim at tin* triitli in n*.s])eci
to pidillc seutiiuent situated m they are, 1 tldalc it luy duty to say (hut.
Al'TOlUtHIIlAril V OK MAUTIN VAN m'UKX,
if uiiy <>r our fiit^nds iu tlu* tlolfi'juinii art luuhn* a dilVorriU bidhu' tlu\\
will ill llu' (‘11(1 1)(‘ (TU(‘lly (liM’oix (‘(1. A laou* »»i’ flu* pi*n|»it* »»i’ Uiia
<'ir(‘, 1 am ('oalidiMit iaifin‘ly avcrsi* r,i ciidauaoriiiir fito {n*af«* <d’ fjto
(’oimlry and llu‘ slnblllty of lla* rnlou for tin' j»ur{H>M' uT nuI*'* ‘ rv iiut *niut
or !()(‘iil lnl(‘n*sts wIk'IIhu* lUMMiiiiary or polit ii’a 1. Thr furrouf <if‘ pabUr cadi
im‘Hl with llu* I imnoorary of tbi‘ Stato la ib*ridcdl> autj .'uaivolv fb»* ofbrr
Our Stuudor ({U(*s(ion 1ms passi«d tuV vary wolb oar iriond Ihulrr, hav-
iiijijr rou^bt (dT tin* luntlor all winter, was in dauber ol’ bidue pho'^d In the
att it ud(‘ oT a di'IValtal eamlidatt* by tht‘ lndiser«*t Inn of Mr, Ohin-' Jnu Ibu Otr
niatUM’ is so widl undiu’stood lann^ that (’Vi*n tin* opiMisiflnu <{<> n»4 jiUe<u tn mi >
appr(‘ht‘nd it.
K(‘ni(‘mb(‘r na* kindly to your inessinat«‘s tell thmn t«» Keep ennl and t»e i.:«»nd
nalurt'd wha(i‘V(*r (iu*y do, and btdtt^o* m»* tt> bi»
Very truly vout*";,
Ah V w. lU r.i . *
‘ 'I’lir mUoranph ‘hutl iu llu* \uu iUiu u pap**i »,
(^IIAPTKH XXXVllI.
Wlulsf-. sk('(chin/>‘ iho ])ronr{'ss of onr politicnl pariit's ! notiml
uiy rot urn from Kii^'luiul without rriranliiiij: it - oliroiinhjiiii'a 1 iv
lataon to i‘V(‘n(s a fiiu'wartls (U'scrilanl anil hrouu'ht (In* Nuliji‘»*t down
to iny arrival at '\Vashin/i:ton anil ron^ption hy Ih-nsiiltuit rlavksoii.
1 was indiiml to do this by a dvsiiv to hrin^LT h\ luy riMuarks upon
his veto of the hill to extiuul the ('barter of the Bank of tlie rnited
Stales at. the most a[>propriate plaee. A similar eourse has Inum
])ursued in other parts of this memoir from a desin* to imiul all
1 pi*opose to say on (*erlain s()(*eial suhjeets at one plaee ami thus
to stive till' read(‘r the trouhli', of eomu*etin/x seattered ami dis<
severial ohsiu'vtd ions. Tlu' I'vents whieh followed my ret inai will
now he ttikmi up tit the [loint. at. whit'h tlu‘ muu’ativi* wa; tlum lid’L
On the. morning after my arrival Ihi' (leneral eseoried me in hi;
own e;u*ria<*:(^ to lhi‘. ^*a.te. of (hi* ('a|)i(ol ami was douhtle: . well
iiielined to tieeomi>any me. into tin* Iltills of both House.- if oHieial
eti(|ii(‘tte had not pri'vented him. 1 mtide my wav tn (he Senate
(diamlu*!* ill wliieh body 1 luid spent so mtmy iutere.d I ul^ hour , with
most <d’ (lu*. Senators who wm’i* in thi* Semdi* including (lie ^realt*!’
lairt of (hosi* wlio htid tu'ted adversi*ly on my iioruimifion. My
fnemls jL»:atliered ronml me and tilVeciiomdely widi’onu'd my return.
A lew <d’ tliosi* who hail voted ti;j:ainsl me under the hehe-ts of their
ptirly and wlio kni‘w mi* W(*ll enou/rh to he satistied that 1 did not
susp('(*t them of personal hostility nhv npproaehed me and exeliaujired
friendly stdutal ions,
Amon.u’st. the latter I rememhm* with pleasure Stoddard *Tohn,ston
and M''a^<j;'aniand the two S(*naiors from lamisiami and a few otlan’s.
Jud|L!:e Uu^^les- of Ohio had been the ehairman of our eelehrati*d
(^rawford C'amms in 182*1 and stood liy my side without fear
or (liiu*hinf^ throu/xh the whole* of that un<*ijUHl and trying Presi-
dential eonlest. Not an unkind word had i*ver passi*d he(\\i*en us
and t.hon^U^h shaken in his polities hy his distrust of Heneral Jack
son, a re(‘rni^^ in whi(‘h his state lurj^mly part ieipateiK he had not
a(‘tua!ly ehan^ed his fiolitieal position unt.il lie was drivi'ii to tlial
eoursi* in eonse<iuemv of the displeiisiire of his old assoeiates with
his voti* upon tJie occasion of my riominatioii. He was a perfeetly
”MS. V, p. lia;. Sloditard .lohiiHlnii niHl i;«'()rp‘ .\. Wn^Kaiaan. ■' Ui-iiJ.unln
rm
AUTOBIOGHRAPHY of MAB.TIN VAN BXJREF.
56Y
honest man desirous to do right and did not, I am persuaded on that
occasion depart intentionally from that course. The fault was in
his nerves rather than in his heart. He was almost always in deli-
cate health and the pressure of such men as his colleague Ewing
and Mr. Clay aided by innumerable letters from his state, a kind
of machinery of which the then opposition knew the use and value
better than any party that ever existed, proved too much for him.
Senator Mahlon Dickerson came to me and said, half laughingly
and half seihously, that my old friend Judge Ruggles had asked
him to present him to me on Avhich I stepped up to the Judge and
shook hands with him with a degree of cordiality which seemed
to" relieve him from a load of self reproach. Mr. Calhoun Avas in
his seat but my mind receiA^ed no impression in respect to his con-
duct or appearance which it has retained. Our relations had been
long too openly and decidedly hostile to be affected by what had
recently taken place. 'Senators Clay and Webster were absent in
the House of Eepresentatives whither I proceeded in a short time.
As I approached the outer door of that Chamber and had raised
my hand to it it was opened from the other side and l\Ir. Webster
entered he and myself being at the moment the only occupants of the
small vestibule. He instantly dropt his eyes and ke]ot them upon
the marble floor as he j)assed me. Our meeting was too sudden
and on both sides unexpected and we passed each other too rapidly
to admit of premeditation. He obeyed the impulse of the mo-
ment, an impulse born of a sense of shame. I happened to turn
to the left hand on coming into the narroAv piissage Avhich ran
around the outside of the seats of the Members of the House of
Representatives and thus unconsciously x'endered unavoidable a
meeting with Mr. Clay who Avas making his way, on the same side,
towards the door by Avhich I had entered the Chamber. Our prog-
ress being frequently interrupted was so gradual as to attract the
attention of many of the Eepresentatives towards us — among
others of a large group from among whom William S. Archer (a
distinguished member from Virginia and an old personal friend
of both of us) came to me, with mock gravity, and said that the
House having taken into consideration the relatiA^e positions in
Avhich Mr. Clay and myself had been thrown and claiming the
right to regulate a meeting which must now inevitably take place
in its presence, had decided that Ave might approach each other Avith
blandest and most friendly expressions of countenance, shake hands,
even embrace and, indeed, indulge in any further demonstrations
of affection that suited our tastes, but that hissing was inadmissible
and Avould be held to be a breach of the privileges of the House
and a contempt of its dignity. This speech being loudly applauded
5C)8
AMKllU\\N lllSTOnifAh ASSiM l.vriiJN.
b\M-h(>se who hoiinl it still further i out rihutml It) t!u^ hntnrirty and
awkwjirdiu'ss of (ho ''situation/'
Mr, (day lun'iny; bt'fnre athaiutHul slowly takin.ii; sjuill with oiu*
a.ud (diat.tin/i; with anolluM*- now slt'ppod rapidly lorward. ollorod
ino Ills hand and lod ni(» to ono. of tin* sofas whioh, Ntauilimr upon a
raised j)lai form, overlookiHl the seats ol (hi' nuMubers, lh*ro wi^ sat
and conversed for some (inie. about Kiyiclaml anti sonu' td’ (bt‘ ae~
(juaintaiu'es lie, lunl fornu'd tluu’t' on his rt'turn Irtan iht* tdient Mis-
sion, wlien he left me and repairetl to the Smiate (’hamluu’ wIum’i'j
lu' alluded to onr nuadin^ in (lu* manner 1 liavi‘ elst'wht're ite vrihiMl,
The. eharaet-ei’ thus ^ivim to our pm’soual relations l»y Mi‘, Clay in
tlie fact', of llu'. Houst' of Rt*prt‘.s(‘ntatives of tlu' Cniii**! Stativs at onr
first niei'tin^* aftc'r lit', liatl (akt'n his part in llu' nialtt'r of m\ nomi
nation t'liahlt'd me ttonsisient ly with a proper si'lf respiad to eontiinit'
my int('i‘(‘ours(' with him tm tlu' rootinn* 1 prt'lVrred oiu' wlutdi
iij:nt>n'd liu'. too jirevalent. ith'a that politieal tlilVcn'Oct's uecc sarily '
dianv aftt'r tlu'm pi'rsonal Iiostilily, A It ho' pro fount lly eoir idoiis
of the dillieulty of knowiiitj;; oni'Stdf, however hone^.lly ami lutwever
humldy tlu'. subjt'td, may have ht't'ii studii'd, ami n{ ilu‘ cttnst'timmt
hazards of tles<‘i’ihin^* oiu'^s own motives and disptr il iom-, 1 yet xt'n-
inre to say that to nplmld this lint' of st‘)>arat it>n ht'lwiMui ptov Dual
anti ]>()li(ieal dillVrt'uet'S and to prott'et social inltu'courst' from (la*
dt'It'tt'rioiis indiK'iiet', of partisan illihcrality tu* vit)limci* wert' with
nit' clu'rislu'd ohjt'cis during my [)nli(ii'al career; nor tlo 1 pt*rmit.
mysi'ir to tloiibt tliat this jnstict\ at h'a^t. will, whi'ii I am no nmrt',
be aeeordetl to my mt'mory l)y most of my surviving!: ('ontcmporai'ii* :.
d'h(‘ incidt'iits of (lit* llrst morning I spt*nt in {la* two I louses of
(k)ne’r(‘ss, afit'r my rt'turn from Mna’laml, wt're, upon (la» whole,
vc'.ry ^*ratifyino‘, [)ut (lu‘ ph'asuri* (ht'V wma* wt*ll tadculatctl to impart
w;isdamp{‘d hy a mortifyin”: fallin<>:otf in nnotlu'r ami mo t frii .lt'd
({uartt'r. At an t'arly lionr of (ht* niornin*^ followinix my arrival,
and ht'fort' 1 had st'tm any of my frit*nds e.\t‘ep( (host‘ who l)t*!onLa‘d
to tlu* Prt'sidt'iit.'s fanrily. I was eallt'd upon hy Mr. lUnir, (hen ami
a fterwai’tls the ahlt* and inilt'xihh* t'diior of tlie ^^’^mhin^don '' ( llohe/’
lie had not lonij; oetaipit'd tlrat. position when I left W'ashiimTm on
my Mission and I hntl had im atHpmintam’e with him antt'rior to his
coming' (lu'rt*. to takt*, eliar^t'. o| tin* (lloht*, hut I Inul stani enonyh of
him to <‘()nlidt* in the sima'rit y and intc'yrity of liis charutdt*r, a t*on
fidenct'. which all my siihsi'tjUcnt init'rcourst^ with him has si'rved (o
conlinu and imu'east*. The rt'hdion in which lu' was rcyanh'd by my
oi)poncnts as stundiny towards me at tlu' time may bi* inferred from
tlu*. a])pIicaiion that wais madt* to him by CoIt)nt'I tfolinson and Mr.
Oriitidy, two of Mr. Callitiin/s fritmtls. in rt'spc.et (o {lie jiublitait ion
" MS. V, lati.
AlTTOlUOdPvA'lMI V OK MAKTIN VAI^ lUTKKISr,
569
of (ho ‘Appeal’ of the latter as heretorore. narrated. lie took me
a|)arl. and made to nu‘ a c'oniiiuniieation the substance of which ho
lepeated in a. note addressed to me at Lindenwald lono; after my
ridireiuent from piibhu* lilh; to whiih h(‘ was indiKvd by seeino- me
maligned in the public papers in anonymous a,rtkdes which he knew
to proceed from a m(‘d.(Hino' neiohboiir and a\'owe.d Frimul of Mr.
iMc’Lane, Avhom 1 had felt myself obliged to remove from ollice,
whictli articles Mfi, McLano knew to be in all res])(H‘ts fals(wl)ut which
lu‘. (lid not attempt to arrest a,s it was wcdl understood Ik', mi^^ht ha\'e
done. The following is a copy of that, note, so far as it relates to
this subject:
I luk(‘ my iK‘n lo ask you if you rtMm‘mlj(‘r llu' lirsl couvi'rsat ion I bad with
yo\i art(U* your red urn from lOnjji'bmd in (la* wimlowuiiclu^ of (lu^ (kmerurs
broakfasi room.
I (luMi told yon that Mtd.aiu^ had ooiisplrt'd wUli your (MU‘mi<‘H durltm your
abstUKH' lo ruin you llml lu* had lal)our*‘d to suppianl you with (Jeiua’ul Jacdc-
son and wtis solicitous lo (‘xcludo you Troiu Ins iick(‘| and had (*X('rt('d hhnsidi
lo nllenaU' nu' Troin your int(‘r(‘s(s conjuritm na* (o <liscont inm* tlu^ war I had
mnd(‘ on (Ii(‘ Seaiators who \'o((al your la'Jccliou and lo r;iv«‘ ov<‘r l.lu^ (‘ITorts I
was nialciim^ lo rally the Dtanocracy on yt)U as \‘h^‘ Unssidtail. IMy ac((iialui.-
anct‘ ^villl you al llial llnu' was so m*w dial I did noi (*\|u‘c|. you lo abandon
a rriiuid of loni^" slandiiiK my n'pnsstMdal ions 1 hcsilal(‘d ilicnS’oia* (o malui
IlHun and only hroiadd inysiMf l<> il Tnnn lln‘ considi‘raUim llial. it would Kiiurd
you from the hypocrisy wiiicU might <alu*rwiH(' Impow^ upon yoti.
1 need not say how miieh I was disturl)ed hy Mr. HlairV communi-
cation, My strong predih‘(dions rtmdercal it- impossible for me to
ri'.e(»iv(‘ his statements as in nil r(*sp(‘cts W(»ll founded and Iml mi‘ to
lh(^ comhiision that he had imbibtal prt‘judi(es against Mr. MeLane
and had bcim thus induced to plmu*. injurious (‘oust ructions upon acts
which would prove sus(‘e])tible of a diUVreut iut{‘rpi‘c(ai.ion. But
tliere was a manly (‘amlour in his d(‘clarations and a foi’c'e in tlie
cii*(‘nnistances to whl(*h lu‘. ndVi-red to show that lu* could have no
otiuu* motive than to warn a man whom he saw clu‘rishing as a friend
oiu‘ he knew to havi*. Ixam his mumiy, and whom lu^ thought was in
dang(‘r of sus(a.iniiig furth(‘r iujuri(‘S from the sanu* source, which
slagg(‘ri‘(l hut. did not. (mtiri'ly ovcr(‘ome my Indiit.ual lu'arty faith in
Mr. McLaiU‘'s friendship. He auihorizml im* to give*, his name to Mr.
M(’Lane as the author of thi* communication he had unuh'. to me
saying that lu* was awar(‘’of tlu* ri>ks lu* assuiiu'd hy placing hims(‘lf
in that ]H)sit.ion; Mr. M(‘Baiu' Imiding a high olVua*. under the (iov-
crnine.nt which had moiu*. paironagi* at its disposal than any other
and possi'ssing tlm (‘on(id(‘nc(*. and friendship of lh^^ Br(‘sident,
whilst h(‘, h(‘ liop(‘d, at li'ast- t‘((ual in (huu'ral flacksoids conlideiicc^
and ri'gard, was hut an (‘ditor of a newspapiu’; which cousi(l(‘ratiouH,
us he did not allow tht*m to di‘t(‘r him from doing jusliets would, he
ho{)ed, satisfy me of the disiiit(*n‘sti‘dm’ss of his motives and of the
AMKHIt’AX !HS'Pt)lU(‘Ah ASSni *I .Vl’ln N »
570
.siucority of his ijroft'ssfd (jhji‘c(s. 1 <hauk<‘d him for tin' rrirmlly
foclin^-.s by which lie hiul Ihhmi acluati‘«l ia tn my i‘lf aUil
assured hiiu <ha(. I did wi iu the* Usmt di*arei‘ il<mhi thidr . inciU'iiy
hut la^ii'^ed him (a excuse uu‘ Tor hn|)iu^\ ant u it U t aadiau hi . t^xplirii
stalemeats, aad my (*()aii(l('ac(' ia liir- tnUhruIncN , that time wnuld
disclose s(mu‘ satisra<iory rxplanatlon or e-auiiial qaalificat itm Ihn
mallcu's lu‘ reh'rred to, I tluai iaformeil hiai uf my iattauiiav to iaui-
suit the. Presiilent u|H>n the suhjech aad ohtaiue<! hi^ peruussiuu to
iuforai hiai ol what had pas-sal between us; ut uhich couisc la*
declared liis approval as (uu‘ he expe<’ted uie to adopt, tuhliuL^ that
haviu^A’ lierformed what, lu' reixardtal as u <lnty he \N»jald of i'ours*
leave, the ma(.t(‘r tail indy to uu* aad il\ for any rea -on- 1 hould think
it; best la tak(‘ no furl her aoti(*e of it ht‘ wouht be sat i died.
Mr, McIjuiu' paid an* a visit a sluad (imt‘ nitmavard:, 1 bclievt^
on mv r(d lira from tlu* (’apitoh 'There was in hi . manner an eh
fort, (o s^ppn‘s^; embarrassment by which my atb-atioa ua : inane
ilialely ai‘rt'st<Hl. Stmsibh* Imw natural it was that I Imald imajL^int'
siadi a stut(‘ of IVelin^- on his part nftt‘r tlu' {’tmanunii-a! ion 1 luul
rcceivcal I laboured, ia ^ood faith and with a d(*p;ree of : acetv-s to
<lismiss tlu'. siilijecd from my mind, hut of courMs it. wu-, out of
my power to do so al(o]Lxether. ()ar interview, (»f uldadi anil of his
(*a rriajU’i^ my nn'ollndion is as fresh as if the scent* lual oceurretl
y(‘st.{u*day, was brief and our convt‘rsa( itm eoidineti to the general
(opies (d’ tht‘ day. I had, before 1 saw Mr, Midaine, rectd\t'tl a
not(‘ fi’oiu Mr. Kaiu‘d a Senator from lllinoi-., a trenthanan tif the
pm’(‘st. eharaettu’ who had Ihm'u V(*ry partial to the ftirnan* ami who
elHa’islnal also a frit'iul.ship for na* whieh I am fully per: tnnhal
IIh' irdliamet* of no man eouhl havt* tlisturlieth ai>prisinir me of his
a ppredumsions tliat I mi/xht rt'etdit* impressit)ns Injnriotis to the
;Lrood faith of Mr, Mel,/ane, bat assuring' me that as far as be knew
orbidi(‘veil thmv was no sulVudimt foumlalion for them and Mehane,
on remdiintj: his lioust* aflm* his visit, .stmt me a kind nt)te askiiuj:
me to ridt' wdth him the next day and U> tukt* tllnner with him
and his family nn our relnrm 'This remhuHal it iu'ei‘ssarv that 1
shoidd eonu'. to a conedusiou in re^anl to our future rtdaium;; befta'e
I unswmvd his note, I tlunxTore asktal an inlervitnv with tlie Presi
(lent and pivi* him the suhstimee. of Mr. IMair's eommuut<*ati<»m t
saw- at. onee that, (he suhjeet w* as not a tuwv <me to him ami I inferretl
that Mr. Hlair had apprised him of Ids intention (o take the course
]\i\ had pursmah w'hieh proved to the faet. lie spoke kimlly of
Mr. Meljum‘ and in the higlu^st ti‘rms of Mr. HlairV cdmrncter, dc
scribed it to hi* such as he eont.iniUHl to ix'/xard it till his tleath, when
‘ KUrtM K. Knno, MS, V, p. Uir*.
AtTTOBlOGEAPHY OP MAKTIU VAPT BUEEPT.
6V1
he left all his papers in his hands. He thought him incapable of
saying what he did not at least believe to be true— but expressed
no opinion in regard to the subject of his present statement fur-
ther than could be inferred from the declaration that “he believed
Mr. McLane to be as much my friend as it was in his nature to be
the friend of anybody.” Having said this he proceeded at once
to exhort me to let the matter pass wdthout further examination
into the truth of the case stated either on the one side or on the
other; I was under no obligations affecting -my own character to
notice it and it would for many reasons be wise to forget it as far
and as fast as possible. “ If you will be advised by me,” he said,
“ accept his invitation, ride and dine with him and let things take
their course.” The earnestness which Mr. Blair had manifested, the
spirit with which he carried out his personal disputes, the certainty
that he would bring the matter before the public in his paper if
Mr. McLane denied what he had said and tlie injurious consequences
that would in all j)robability result to the administration in its criti-
cal position at the moment from such a feud upon such a subject
between men occupying most responsible and influential positions
towards it would have been considerations in favour of this coui'so
of great weight with me even if I had not felt myself under obliga-
jtions to make the GeneraPs wishes in the matter the rule of my
conduct.
I accepted Mr. McLane’s invitations. But with the best inten-
tions and every effort on the part of both, the hours passed heavily
and an influential member of the family charged me before I retired
Avith being reserved and cold in my manner to an extent never before
witnessed by the speaker, of which I was entirely unconscious. Be-
sides the understanding between the President and myself that no
farther notice should be taken of the matter and that our relations
should continue on their former footing an understanding in Avhich
Mr. Blair, feeling that he had done his duty, readily concurred, I
have no sj^ecific iccollection of anything said or done previous to my
leaving Washington, although it appears by the extract from my
letter given below that some conversation took place in relation to
it between Mr. McLane and myself. On the 11th of August 1832,
the latter wrote me a long letter in regard to an important appoint-
ment then pending before the President, which letter concluded thus:
I have now, my dear Sir, a duty to di.scliarge to myself and which forms an-
other object of this letter. In all my life, public and private, in one instance
only have I ever been accused or suspected of indilforence to my friend at any
time, but, especially, in the hour of difficulty : and I feel more than indignant
that this instance is in relation to you. If you had participated in that sus-
picion without an examination into the grounds which should have been
572
AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION.
specifically stated and respectably vouched, you would have done me an injury
which would have admitted of no reparation. But while you had the manliness
and generosity to act in a manner due to our relations, at least for the purpose
of explanation, you cannot do ample justice either to yourself or to me without
frankly informing me of the grounds of the suspicion and by whom they were
communicated. The communication must have proceeded from an innocent mis-
apprehension of opinions founded upon an unfeigned solicitude for your future
course, expressed with the frankness of a friend, and to your friends ; or, from
a bad and wncked purpose; or perhaps a busy, suspicious, gossipping temper
always heedless about consequences. In either case, it is necessary for my own
safety that I should knoAV the source whence I may be exposed to similar in-
jury. I am the more urgent in this instance, because of information recently
communicated to me, from my friend Mr. Latimer of Delaware, that he had
learned in Baltimore that you and I had been involved in a difiieulty, which
would end in my retirement from the Administration. The source of this report
makes me regret that I did not enter more at large into one or two- topics
when you were here, and which I purposely reserved to a future occasion.
How coulcli such a report have reached Baltimore? I therefore submit my
request to your own sense of justice.
I should be glad of an opportunity in the autumn of conversing with you in
relation to certain changes of which we spoke when you were here; and of
making some suggestions both in regard to myself and others which appear to
me important; and both more feasible and expedient than some that are in
contemplation. I wish to go up the North River, probably in October, with my
boys and would take that opportunity, if you were in the way, of seeing yon ;
in the mean time yon had better keep the whole subject open in your mind.
I am, my dear Sir,
Very truly yours, L. McLane.
To Martin Van Buren Esq.
This letter reached me at Lebanon Springs and I find from a niemo-
rancluni enclosed in it that I made the following reply to the part I
have quoted :
I have fully reflected upon your request in regard to the suggestions which had
been thrown out in respect to your feelings towards me on a recent occasion and
am thoroughly satisfied that that matter ought to rest where it .stands. I
thought it due to the occasion to assure you at Washington that I was not aware
of a single instance in which the subject had been referred to in an unfriendly
spirit as it respected yourself or from the unworthy motive of making tivjuhle
between us. Since the receipt of your letter I have passed the matt('r more
deliberately through my mind and can with truth repeat the assurance that
you would do injustice to any of my friends with whose sentiments I have been
made acquainted, if you treasured up any unkind feelings towards them or
harboured any distrust of them on that account. This is all that it is necessary
for you to Imow. That they had apprehensions upon the point is certain, and
I have no doubt you are correct in the supposition that those- apprehensions
lu'occeded from “ an innocent misapprehension of opinions founded upon an
unfeigned solicitude for your (my) future course expressed with the frankness
of a friend and to your (my) friends,” and for which in the excitement of the
moment and under deep conviction that the course they advocated was vitally
necessary, sufficient allowances were not made. That such a state of things
should give rise to speculations of the sort was unavoidable and the application
AUTOBTOGRAPHY OF MAPvTIN VAN BTJREN. 57 S
to me by ° Mr. Kane shows you that they had entered the minds of those who
were most tliorough in their convictions that they did you injustice.
It may perhajDS be made a question whether my ansAvcr in negativ-
ing the existence of an inimical disposition towards Mr. McLane on
the part of those who had judged his course as an iinfriendl^^ one
did not go farther, for the restoration of peace all round, than the
facts in one or two instances warranted; but in. truth Mr. Blair had
no motive to injure Mr. McLane who had taken particular pains to
serve him, and in the absence of full Imowledge the subject,
Mr. Cambreleng informed Mr. McLane himself that he had con-
demned his conduct to me, but his friendship for him had not been
given up.
Of all the seceders from the federal ranKS who attached them-
selves to the republican party in my day and who cultivated inti-
mate relations with me and, partly through my interference, ac-
quired creditable distinctions in its service there -was not one for
whom I cherished a warmer friendship than for Louis McLane, or
one to whom it has been in my power to render so man}^ and so
important services.
I left the United States for England in the full belief that he
was one, if there was one, of that class upon earnestness and con-
stancy of whose personal friendship I could place the most implicit
reliance. If the disenchantment which the future had in store for
me showed that this faith had been without good foundation at the
time, there would appear to have been even more exaggeration than
could be credited to the partiality of friendship in the testimony
borne by Jackson and Forsyth to my surpassing “common sense
and good judgment,” my “unrivalled knowledge of human char-
acter and poAver of penetrating into the designs and defeating the
purposes of my enemies.” But without admitting to have failed
to reap considerable advantage in that direction from the observa-
tion and experience of a long and busy and prominent political
life I am free to confess m^^ consciousness of one great weakness,
Avhich although springing from a liberal impulse, is always the
cause to those subject to it of some and not unfrequently of severe
disappointment, the weakness of fonning an extravagant estimate
of the mexuts of new converts to my own opinions, aspecially on
occasions when those opinions arc subjected to fiery assault and trial
and when their new pr-oselyte^ brings to my side, with his welcome
support, the attractions, vouched by old friends, of fascinating per-
sonal qualities. Even aside from the unreasonable amplification of
them which I have described as attributable to a defect in myself
and moderated to the measure actually intended by their respected
°MS. V, p. 140.
574 AMKini’AN inSTiUnt‘Ah ASSnrhVnuN.
authors (he hi^h enroiuiuins nf luy frietut^ niu>*t In- rei»:ar«ltMl as
o'lvallv <)V(‘rrnieil in (he <»!' (hi- narrativt* t»t' ui\ rehulnus with
Mr. iMi*LniH*.
A iH‘\'i(*\v of (host' reludoHs, ho\M*\iU‘ *»vueraK i - not a plea sant
oe.i'iipat ion i( is raiher oiu' wiiit’h I uoiild hr most happy ti> he
<rnu' allo^ihher if (hi‘y wtu'e not iiiliU'uoven in so many ways with
som(‘ of du' most important ineitlent- of in\ puhlie i*areer a*, to
ensure inh'renees unfaxorahli' to my-elf if I slioupl pass them hy
without, notu’e, ami if imliaMl (lie e\l ruonliuary manner in uhieh he,
thouo*hj, it. (it (o (4*rinina(i‘ (hem ha*s not nenh- it imli ipensahh* (t)
m'iv(‘. my version of (hem. \\‘hi!s( ;is 1 have remarktsl before. 1 have,
oftim siid’eriMl imptaielmientri of my politieal eonr.-t* and eomlma to
pass without. eorretHion when ! huh in my po se sion tlu* sure' moans
of rt*ruta(a(m eonlihent of my ability (<» !i\e hown e:ilmun\ ami
avm’se to (amtimial tjhtrusion of myrshf ami my allair nptm the
puhlie attention it is hue {<» tlum* who .taml P*\\arh-. me in ; lahi
nhntions that t!u\v will he utVeeteh hy my mnul i*r hah uane* after I
shall havi' linisheh my eiutrsi' (hat mv memory ^hmiilh lu* to loh in
thos(^ nvspeets hy (he ra<*ts hy truth, an ore ami nnahatml, u hieh
is all I ask. My olilioation unher aetual eireiim (am'o i ol o<Hn'*e
doubly imp(‘ra(ivt‘ (o iakt‘ e‘.peeial eare that my aorounf ..hall i«e
just and true. ju'Vt'rlluhe-- cu'rfUs may (<» soiuo o\{i*nt sua nr and I
(ihar/j^t'. thosi' on v\hom (lu* pubheatiou of this wmiv mu\ dovish e if
any smhi slmiilh appear vvlam I am no lon|i»Ter here to eorrett tlu'in,
to losiv no (.inu‘ in doino: so in the most etlVetnul way, cm my hehalf.
and to o'ivi* to Mr. Mehaue\. mtauttr\ f!ie full heuetU ijf ever) douht
ev('n (hat. may he east iip»m any of my fatemenf .
I madi' Mr. Meham''a ae«[uainf ama* at \Va hintrton. as msirtv a^:
I rtmuaidier, when I iirst took my eat in tlu* Senat4‘ of the thiiied
s^tate.s. \\h‘ both joimsl Mr, John Ih lhelior.*4jnV (*on*o'o ional
l\Ii'ss at. sStroiher's Ilotid. eompri iiur him elf, Mr . and Mi.^ ^ Hii'k
eirom (‘<d. Dwii^ht * of Ma ai’liu.ett . Whiltri' Ikhtri on. of Xevv
\ ork. Mr. Mrlaim* and myodf. Altlud 1 Itad eouMuded at New
\ ork to mak(‘ om* of Mr. HV. Me-.s I holieve mv fndnp' a oeiateil
with Mr. Mtdaine was witliout previous arraiunanent and tliat our
meetin<^ was hu’tuitoiiN: hm I was almo t immediate!) siromdy at
(raeted (owaiah, him timl our infimae) rapidh riew into a frirutl hip
(hat withs({JO(l expo.suia* to many form and Uishtl in all pndiahllijy
have font inned to llourish and to liear fiaiit if if hatl not heeu .stoppeil
hy hi.s own ael afttu’ it had reaela*d a sat isfaof oj*v matnnf) . khmliun:
(he nu's.s a( \\ asliinjo'! on (otj tmv lor we non hdloued my eol
league. Mr. Kiuo '’ (<» th'ormdoun. whore \\v n*moim'd during thid
ami tlu‘ suhasjiioni - i" ii»n in a mes . rompo.oal nf Mr. Pafroon
\ an Ki*n.s;.alaer, llarri «»{i (I. (}(i , witlv hi ^sife and daurhtor. S(e
' jUUiF- K liij.;
AITTOBIOCKAIMI V l)F MAU'PIX VAX HUUKN.
VBiison, of \'ii\i>inin, iMi*. and Mrs. MfLaiu*, (iurhaiii, of Hosiotu
Nolson and Warliidd of Maryland, ImmiIoii M(‘rr(‘r. of N'irijcinia, and
Cuthhoif. of (Joorgia.* I soon took ground in favour of Win. 11.
C'rawford as Mi*. l\Ionroo\s suiaa'ssor, in whirh 1 \va.^. oanirstly atnl
rordially joinrd l)y Mr. Mrliaiic !>id in wliich wo si'paratod pnliti^
(•ally from oUu‘rs of our moss, including my ootloaiom. 1 hav(‘
turnod io num(‘rous lo(t(*rs from llu> formor, y('{ on my lilor., lor ono
of that [X'riod as aiVordiujLr Iho lu‘s( illust rai ion, in rospt'oi. (o soonos
and IVidin^sof a iinu‘ so distaj^t, of Uu* <ru(‘ oltaratMrr <d’ tin* rolalion .
(lion oxistino; hot worn us, 'Tlmt wliioh follows, hoin^ tn fart tin'
('at*Ii('st in dato that has la'on pri'sorvod, will happily la» rjtuinl (piito
full in r(^<rard to llu' politit-nl and pi'rsonal dispositions and viows
too that- wmv avowi'd hy him and it must In* infi'rri'd ontortainotl
hy mo at that inti'i’i'slinji; pc'rioil in our |iul)lio livos, whioli wasshorlly
htvforo th(' (‘('h'hrati'd Prosidimiial canvass of IHdl, ulion Adanr:,
Crawdord, (day, ('allmtin and rlaokson wma* oamlidato'; for that
hi<j:h ollico.
WUMiMirns, Aj>nt Jdth, is
Mv DKAK \'a.n m’i:i::s, I will unt iumScuU In Ifll yntt. huu jma'h iih'a-.uo* >nur
l)rl{*r imtt' t!i(‘ ritli insi. MU', bul r<‘l> npii'U }|, iintliinf:; v.ni tiUrnd my
“ lV<l(M’al t*;ir " NNhh’li woll ni' ||m •»{’ uiy irirmls. uu»rr r- jtt'rhin\
ifynu JU'o " n» sluiro (Im* OMuinph.'* I liH»k itpt»n llu* pnH'ffUiuo-: nf Albany a s a
unmiiialbai <>!’ Mr. (’rawrorU; ImbaMl, lln\\ ulll la* wcii'tb mm’b lUMit* tn biin, If
i).v (ht* p(KVt*ri'uI Itilhaamo of .\ »»ur stall*, lls'y ran )i*a«l li» a I'map’n j^anjin! rau«*a
Ob which that r‘‘alli*bmii nno-t plan* hbi llnm^a ri-llaiin*. 1 iiricr dnitblrU lla*
wisdom of your nmurll, and I’oK satbilU'd that, with a mot'** infUuatt* loiowlrdai’
of the fu'ounds, you wi»r<* llio bosl .Itidja* of the »ipi*r}if buri. M\ nnl\ uppiadii’u
slob has boi'u ihal .sopu* ciirscil ufipli* of discord would bt* thrown info \nur
.stale, which, a.s lu*re(nfore, wouhl bet'ealti*!* iH\hleabd in-^traet h«’r piiwer, lod I
i*»‘lied bpoti tia* nalimirus who, Kboulnr the rjlnials, Itad sUlU to avoid them,
ihil, my di’ur Sir, tlu* strait is mnv passed, and t trust the IMhd w ill het-p*'
the .sldl> di J*a eveu sti*ady entuvse.
'I’ldu is a hmad wish for a feth'ral {u*n, aud, to be tjsndn when I Umk tsuiud
aud s(*e tbo.se m<‘U of the part) which wan, bul is no mon*. yet piuitiiir In the
walliN id’ ultrai.siu, or .souu'thlMK worse, luid i»y the aid ot' silly disathsi loii, atid
bile dist iuet Ions rrasplnr, wiiii vain oflorts, al the .*»hudo\^ (d‘ poWA*r, who'ii* nuii
.sinnee Ls irret rlt*vald.\ beyond tlielr reach, I doubt **N,ceeditir!y, uhcttu*r I iia\e
any other eluim to federalism, fiuoi that, which the hojmr of hetnr ehilmed and
cherished tiH sueii hy the liest, and optJOHt*d hy tlte Wi»r:il elti/.ens of m> own
llKle mitivi* slate ulTordu me, P.ul, after all, I must avni»l all n'lructhuei
aud leave m> friends, and you anioiu' ethers, to judre tue by niy ncriiJtcs If
the hip.se of a lew mouths tiuds u = both ♦*■ pou*.jnr the *»anie principles, ad\orat
iur lib* same cause, and adwuteinp the same leader, )oti nurd |.the me at least
as much erejllt for ortlmdeis), as ulll he allowi’d to *' )ouiu: Mr. <*alhotm’' and
lhos(* Worthy enadjiifor.s, wla», utirlts* the whir of tb*n*l nart>er, iucan to tiiKe
• .‘biude a Vim U-sr -ulio i*. AihIm w .sti \ » }e)»m. Mrbnae, Bifijatuh} o*ah»Uii. •fi'dui
.Ni’I’aiii, Iti-ary H. W.olit'hl, (‘hiotf , .M*se«s, uiel Alfisd (*tiltih»sl.
*' MH, V. |t 1 if.
liujM-ri narprr.
576
AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION.
the palace of a coup de main : — if the famous A. B, plot^ be inadequate^ to th.»
purpose.
You are too warmly remembered by every member of my family, My Dear
Sir, to have made your letter indifferent to any one of them, and it came only
in aid of the frequent occasions we have to think and talk of you. It atones in
some small degree too, let me say, for tJie heinous offence you committetl, in
leaving Delaware to your left, on your way home, and for remaining in Bhila-
delphia no longer than to allow me time to arrive there a few hours after you
had taken your departure in the steam boat ; I take it for granted tho’ — to use
the language of our friend Archer — that you v/ould not have dared to have
committed this outrage upon friends who deserve better at your hands, if you
had not coupled with it the resolution of a summer’s visit — and let me hope
that this event may he rendered more probable by the coming trial of the speed
of New York and Virginia, which will force you to Long Island. I shall send
a very pressing summons for Archer, and I should be exceedingly happy, if
you could prevail upon Gen’l Van llenssalaer to escort you hither, taking care
to bring with you Master John, for whom you have already made promises,
with which he may not be entirely disposed to comply. But fill your suite as
you please, and you will gratify me most. I can promise you little more than
the pleasure of making us all very happy with your society, and to show you,
in the small circle of our friends, in how humble a village I am content to toil
away my time. We will together examine Philadelphia and its environs and
together inspect the pea patch to be the blotter prepared to silence Gen. Cocke ^
in next winter’s campaign. Baltimore too, is at hand, .and even Richmond,
should you be inclined to migrate so far south, is within our reach.
In the end, with the best regards of Mrs. McLaiie, believe me, my dear Sir,
most affectionately yours
I A LTcLanu.
In this cordial and iinrd:udiod letter and in the inferences it jus-
tifies in respect to tho nature of communications generally to
and from him the spirit and scope of my political juirtisanship are
truly delineated. In them, I trust, will be iierceived an unalfected
solicitude for a sincere unity in tho political faith to which I pro-
fessed to adhere as the only proper basis of political co-operation
and a deprecation of combinations of individual leaders and of fac-
tions for the attainment of personal or party ends without care for
the actual iiolitical principles and feelings of those engaged in them,
such as have unhappily become too common in later times. It was a
union and concert of action in favour of the old Republican creed,
looking to the public good as tho end of our labours, that I desired
to consummate Avith Mr. McLane and which he appears here and
always professed to be most willing to concede. Although so widely
and perse veringly charged through my whole life Avith being a polit-
ical intriguant such and no more have been the substantive aims of
my political operations. I have never pretended indifference or in-
^The A. B. plot, so-called, was a series of scurrilous articles by Ninian Edwards In the
Washington Rcpuhlican, signed A. B., having for their purpose the discrediting o£
Crawford to the consequent advantage, of Calhoun’s presidential ehauces. Scg Win. M.
Meig’s Life of Calhonn (N. Y., 1917) vol. 1, pp. 294, at scq.
2 Philip St. George Cocke and the controversy as to the Xlnitod States’ title to Pea
Patch Island in the Delaware River,
\
i
ATTTOmoCiUAlMI V OV M AUTI N VAN BUllKN.
577
sensibiliiy lo Ibo good opinion of Iho pooi>lo and have morn than
once shown my ri*adiness (o atuu'})*. iostinioniiils of thoir conlid(Mi(‘n
and favour when tlu\y liave biani presented wilhoiit solicitation and
us the evidence of approval of my conduct, but I can safely, as I
luive done i)orhaps before, defy my contemporaries to prodiKU'. a
single lino or to recall a single word coming from me whii’li had for
its object the const ruction of combinations or the suggestion of ])laus
to secure my own promotion in public life. If it shall be thought
that the record t)resents evidence that ought to have sat-isli(‘d nu’i
that Mr. M(’Laue did not cherish the political princii)lcs of tlu\ old
rc))ubli(’an school with (he consistency and singleness of i)urp()se
with which 1 claimed to support them mystdf — that I have too often
overlooked his shortcomings in that, n'gard and that, hliiuhal by
j)ersonal partiality, 1 hazarded the public interests by causing his
advancement to responsible', puhlie*. stations, be that my r('proa(‘h and
the jndgmont of the Country; but let it not he infi'rre'd that. I sought
his political association to augment my own resources in my pubTu^
career. lie never had it in his power to he— neither did I I'vt'i* ht'-
Tun'e he was or would be of st'rvici' to uu‘ in llinl n'spcct.. 1 always
knoAV on the contrary that the luirtlality W'hii^h bort' fruit for him
in repea(e<l un<l su<*c(»Nsfid etlorts to ndvaiu’e him in ollicial positions
liroduced an abundant. (*rop of dissniisfacl ion and eva^n alitmalion
in the circle of my old polit.ical friemtships. Kor thi^ oiler to him
of the place of Attorney (Jenerai of (he ITnited States, ns wi*ll as
for his appointments, in regular suc(u*ssion and wiildm a brieb'r
period than any one man ever ludd them, U) (he dist.ingiiislu'd jjosts
of Minister to hhiginnd, Secretary of the Tn'asury and Sc'ciH'lary of
State of the (Tnitc'd States he wais, lieyond all doubt, indebted to my
iuterv(mtion in his favour and to (Icnerid dacksoids couliden(*e In
my opinion of his (lualitications. The stale of mind in which I
found him on my way to Washington to enter u]>on the duties of tlu\
ofllce of S(‘(*rtdary of State shortly lu'lbrc tlu'. (irst of tlu'st^ movi'*
meats in Ids hcdialf has been already descrila'd. His let.ter in auswc'.r
to the oih'rs I was authorized by Presidcml Jackson to make to him
of (hc> t wo first. mentiojH'd pla(*(‘s have also been refmn’ed to and will
b(' fomul in full in tlu'. corrcspomh*nce. It sec'ins now most (‘xira-
ordinary that I should have overlooked indications of an ovtunveim-
ing care for self tluit ought to havi* pul nu' on my guard, ('spt'rially
when, at his pressing iustunee, I ohtaitu'd idso from the Presitltml; a
promise (hut. he should la* appointial lo a seat on tlu'. hcmdi of tlu'.
Supreme Court, of the Uniti'd States if a suitahh' va('am'y oecmrnal
(looking to tlu‘ probable early n'signation or di'atb of the agi'<l
Judge, ((iubriell Duval) and eomnmnitaitctl the n'sult of Jiiy applicai-
V(}U 2— tiU 37
578
A M K i lU ’ A N HI S'Pi mii * A I , ASSc ’ I A'P I U N .
iioii in his hclialf in him at Lniulnii whil^^t hr ^va> in pn . .t»’..-,inij <»r iho.
h]ni>‘lisli Missinii, Ilahhviu shortly a^(lM•^vanl . i!^a\i* fha Prt‘<i
(Itaii. iinti(a» of his iiiimitinn itj rrsiu'u his -aaii t>n {lu‘ Ihau’h aiul \va
{•niilidiMii ly axpi'clrd (hat lu* would tin sn. Thtua* hiuuii; a mauitV'd,
imprnpriidy iti appoinlinii: Mr. Mtdauu* (<» (ill llu* varanry whirh
wtJidd have hnut (liiis tu't'aital hcfaUM' <»!' his aoj n*siiliu‘j!^ iu tht'
(hrciiit, hu( ant itupal iuju: Ins anxiiiy iiptui tlu' .aihjtM’t aiul lunin^:
o(‘(‘asi()u (t> wrilt* him iu aiirAVer (n auniluT applivat inu, I inath* (lie
rnlh)\vin^' <‘\plana(inu it) him:
( 't»!nu‘rl t‘(l Nvitli (!Us MihJ<M‘l is a uiniua* wiih’li I am jirrmitU'ti !u tnrntli»a io
y<ai in .strtci Iml in rraarU (n uhirii ut* Nrarrt‘}.\ Kmuv ulmi t<* say
iu to its ht^'lriJa^s uptm hUt'rt-si.
.lUiiat' lUildwin is ilissalisliffl wiJh ids silualltai l»»r naistm i uiiU li it is
unia'Cfssar.v to oxplala rartlua* Ihnu thry at'‘’W «ait of ot»}to:*iit iou t'i ulial ho
rrani’ils ns nii unw nnauUnlilt* oston 4oJt of It. s ' jiowor?. h\ tho tNairt, nm! has
j^h'on tin* I*n‘shloiii uofiro of his iulotuion to ro iiat nltor ho li;6 > » Mjo}tit*U’ii
his nircuit- or in tla* fall at fartlioNL Von ncj*»l not ti» ho a >uoU ot iho
ph'asuro (ho I’roshlout uotihi (nUo hi ajitioiof in;: \iin (•» tiir \ao;!ii« >. « niiiiUotii
ilmi (ho iVmutry would linvi‘ notluni* to aiijirohnid (lom \-‘m’ nisuiofi ; imr
osui It ho nooossnry (») twpiain to ytui tin* tniUtro and o\font of riio dUtionUy
whloii arlso.j from your uoi indm^ of tho edronU, AU ihn ofmo ihnf ho fools
hinisolf td lihorty lo say is tlm( ho will watoh tho iuo\oinon( of o\oiilM wifh a
Uvo!.\ r’oal for your wolfnro. and if. whoa tho limo ooijo'‘ , iio foiU. . that ho i .m
oonsis|oult\ u|tjM»iu( \ ou it will ho ono of (}io lao f nloaKiiui o\ont . of hi?k lUo.
Ihdnro \vi‘ pariotl iit Nhwv VurK, I r<»r Mutrluinl ami In^ htr \\*n h
iuiciuu in (al\(‘ iiptiu hiiiisoir iln* ftmotitui t»f Soondar\ nf (la* d*rt-:iri
ur\\ hi* nsktal nit* it» wriit* tmot* umn* it* Um Iha* idtmf upnn tito ■ uh
jert nf ilm diuljLi't’diip. The nrijriuul pnuni i* Mill roiuaimai \n full
fnrr<* hui- I hdt iht* tiwkwarduo nf :i otdupliauoo with hi nojUod *
mwrrilitdt* . as i{. wasalnit» i a ndo with im'' tf) rofm-o him nnlhiu‘ 1 ^ 1
gfivi* him ihr fnllnwino’ hdttU':
dNi ilU IhUsllUM'.
Nt.u Voan. .trd. /s:,7.
M V iu: \u Sia :
niir mutual friornl. Mr. Mol.uno roinuoi his luoti-ronoo for tho Jh-nrh, -iud
wlU, if lunal dios, lu* plomssl wifli tho ni»t*oluf moat to »ou»|d> tho \n*anov.
It is for oh\ious roa oil?; my oarm'st hoja* that (Ito fo /jatuv hha
la this rospoof, if It is to ooour durinr >our atlmhUstniiltUi. ma> ho do}a>od
until if is ijoar its oloso. 'l‘ho HuorUlooH wldoh tu* Ims boon olilUa-d to m;d.«‘ hy
his Mission liiormiHo tin* iiooosslty of Ids fihfalnhiK as jtormanont and ir. hfUo
o^lKUiHho an omi»h»ymonl ns la* <*iun and tho o\ttud of ids ramU\ Ioa*-o him.
as ho (hhdo-, hnf Htllo o|iiitin as li» his (siurHo in tin* ovont td tho !ia|»t»» jdn;r
(d’ (ito oMidlnrtuioy roforrtsi tti.
Botiovinr: that I umlorstand ytmr fooUnrs towards idm I luuo tahon tho
lfh<*rty ttf asHurha; him that thoro is no ohjoof noaror >onr hoart fimu to
“ MS. V, t« ir.u.
AlTTOliKHiUAlMl V OK M AUTIN VANT HtniKN. 579
promoli' Ills Inli'n'St luid (Imt lui cimsUliiraliDns llml could lio suKSfsIed fan
liicroaso lliul dosin'.
\’ory truly yours,
M. Van Uuukn
Porooivhio:, at Uui<rth, in 1.1 r>i pruscMu-o. of llio Prosidonl, (ho im-
pression Unit, would probably bo produood by pro.soid in<>; an a|)plioii-
l.iou for a sooond ollioo al (bo moinout. of ontorino; uimn so imporlaut
a station as (hat of Socrolary of the I'roasiiry, Mr. MoLano rolnrnod
my lottor onclosod in ono from liimw'.lf, without date, whioli was
immodiati'ly followod by the, letter of Auprnst 11, 18:U, bolh of
whioli are here given.
I lu'r(>\vlth n'(urn you llu> lottor you guvo nio for tlu' ProHUliuU. iu onlcu’ that:
you may alu*r tlu‘ ilalo ami IransiuU. U by mail. I OH: an inHUix'rablo (l{‘li<*aoy
in hamlin^ It to liha mys(*ir, not wH IistandinK bin n‘(H‘p(ion and bis (nadmont
sinoo Imvo boon of {lu‘ kliulosl and most tunb'arlnjx kind. SI Hi tbo ltd lor ia
liuporlard. You iuuhI: not. asorlbo H. io suspitdon wbtm I assun* you ibal Mr,
''{’um‘y JliihtH Hhif of mt^ Ho was (lu^ only om‘ of tin* ('abhiol wbo k(‘pt off and
him I (lid nal m'c until n*f‘ nud i/ at Uk' l^rcsidmit's in- ('ount'il. Wt^ wore
always on ^nod i(*nnH and T know of no oansi* of soparation innv but bis I’t^ars
on a oorlaln snbjt’ol. H'bt'nd’on* do not fall Io s(*nd Ibt* ltd lor.
Ltd. mo add In ooniuad ion wlib this snbjt‘(d llial y^m ari» ('soaping from a
Htaison of storms and a sbntUn-od sblp. I cannot doubt from all 1 s<‘(‘ and luair
tbal (ln» chances an* apdusl onr oUl tddef, ami to llml 1 shall boabi i»arly to
malvt' np my mind,
] >on‘t forced (bo ltd its* to Ibt* Prt'sldmd.
\V,\.su I .Ntri’oN, Au(iust I nil, IHiU.
My I>kau Van IU’ukn,
f sold you a larKo patdctd tif bdlors Ibro’ Mr. Howno whbdi I hoju' will bi‘
.snllsfaciory. I also stail yiai (In' lottor you pi\*t' mo for tbo I*. In onltn* (bat.
H mlKbl Ku In him tUriMdly from y(»u. My objtsd In writing now Is to Im-
press upon ytai lla^ Importanct* cf tiolna im* Ibal favour: and of adding to it,
if you tool yourstdf at llborly a llm* on (bt* sutm' subjetd Io Major b(‘wls, lit*
volunlarlly sent mo a ltd lor onot* upon tin* Hubj(‘ot oontalnlnK an oxpross proiniso
of tbo I* and Ihort'fort* H Is llml I suKkost Io yoti lbi» proptdtdy of IntlmallnK
Io him tbal romad oconrroncos sbonld md bt' allowial to allt'r Ibt' Inltadlons
formmdy onHadaintMi. Holb'vo mt' that l am not mlslidctai In tin* maa'sHlty of
this intorftaaaiot*. 'TIm' doslKus in anotlna' tiiiarlta’ art' not to bt' illHrc'fjjardtal
and tliorc is tio otlua* tpiarlta* than you from wbbdi it would bt* pos.siido for
mo to Irjtlmato my wlsbt'H. You may itivtad what, pndoxt you pbaisi' for your
ltdtt'r, imt on no nooouni not^lotd. it.
Onct* inort' I bid you Adbai !
With rny best wlHho.s for your prosporlty
Jj. JM’L.
Major Lewis to whom ho rt'fors was his unirt)rtu and /, onions
fritmd ainl ditl not (*stia*m liim tho h‘ss for his fotUuail tiulotudlonts, a
point in which tlu* Major oonld not hut, intlnl/^t'. in a follow foolin**:,
hut. it is (hu‘ to tlu*. latti‘r It) say that no (‘onsidorat ions or tt'mplu”
tions.^ through many of which lit*, was oldigod to pass, ooiiltl woaktm
his iidtdity to (ho (umoral or his desire for the sueeoss of his Admini.s-
AMl-UU(’AN lUSTOKU’AL ASSi M ‘I A'l’tOK.
580
trillion. Aliliou^jfh I iliirnvd with him upon many ahstnirl (pn*stions
1 IVrl (hat I can siilVly l>oar this (t'slinumy in hi< hrlmlf. 'Tho '' tjtlu'r
<|u:irlrr" siiokim of hy Mr. Mt’L:iiu\ rt‘rrrnal to Mr. 'l'aur\, thr.
Attonu'v tiononih as is plainly miou^h intimapHt in tin* Hr ,( nol.‘.
On tlu' (lay InOon' 1 siiiltal from N(‘\v York I my original
U'ttrr of Ihn Htl Au^nst to {hr ( t(‘urral in that wliirh follow-. ; ami thus
niy last thoii'xht and my hist- art, at thr mommit of (iiuttin|»; my
country, wviv dcvotiul to flu* s(*rvir(* of oiu' whom I thonghf im I have
said, hound to nu^ by ties of prrsi)nul fririidsliip on whirh I mii^ht
rely in the worst of times.
a’i» ‘rm; l*ui
My niiAij Siu
I Kavt* llir t'lirlosi'tl to our ft'liaul whtai laaf, hut la* ha » hot-ji tlianioil hy u
S(*iKSf of Uollriit'> fruui thaiv<*riiia it In ,\nu inut ha*; It tu tu»* with u
r(*(iU('.‘^t that I wouhl writo to you t’rotu hrrt*, Uuni of mur nuneohf m«‘ t«>
rnc’loso It to you aiul to ronuoa thul U»>uhl ‘Jiou n r»»!illUrii!hiU> to Major
lanvls wlinin hr asks to hr im’onurU us to hh* wisho f.
Mr. MrUtmr Is fhOIahtoil with .\our loropthai of him ami \un in uU it’ijtri’lH
(•<inu‘ U]) ft) > our i*\I>rrtatlons, Ihawoni U'n m ,stti«t »'ol||ittrl 4 « tin* hrml.M
lluit uuoliirr mnuhtU* of .\otu* (‘ahilHU ma> th‘'llo fhr auor iil.M'r that la*
U'ulk to him friTly uh«mt It if \ou nh*a »* auU hr uiH la* ut oa j*. U ha ? lu-ru a
V(‘ry UMjUrusanI uuittor ft»r im* to jirrs i ihJ i *.uhl«‘oi tnaui \Mur afti'nliou at fhls
nunutmt hul I rouhl not wall u\niil li, utul It is h«*’J that >oti 'Uiouiti loiuw alh If
.^our Soli is with >ou rriiii*iiih‘*r mr to him .jiortinuuf**!^ aiat Uo itit* »uim»* to
Mr. 'Ihisl ; say, if >ou plruM*, to tla* lutti-r* tliaf t uouht !«iiu if t rmthl hut
tlml lu* must wfltr uio often ami rrnirmhrr inr moMtp\ kiiall^ to Mr s. Uamloliih,
Mrs. Trist nml all tin* fuiully.
(hid hlrsH you.
Ah
TT
CIIArTEK XXXIX.'
T iHMul lit London Mr. McLano’s first ofTicial roi>ort upon tlie
finanros, and, fully awaro of tho condition of thin^ at Washington
and of the positions of all parties, I re<j:arded it as a state j)aper
calculated to supiu’sede Ln'sident rhu^kson ns the ellicient liead of his
own aduiinistration upon a vital point by which it was destined to
stand or fall. Sensible of the emharrassuient not to say hinuiliatiou
to which iny venerable friend would unavoidably be ('xposed by thi^.
appcanincc of such a docunuuit., coniiufj^ from such a source, and by
the (*onse(|nent exultation of his eneiuit's, T could not but experietu*e
pain and uan'l.itu’ut ion when I r(»(l(‘(*tcd up(yn (lie '* a^tmey 1 had
ext‘rt(‘d to brin^ about an appointineni pnxluciive of siuh results.
I had not hesiiuti‘d a nionicnt. in rejecting Mr. Mcluane's advi(‘e in
respex’t. to my hurrital return (o the llnited States and t.o setdeiunr a
scat, in (he Senate at- tlu'. clost^ of its session as in the last de|L!:re,e un-
wise, yet. upon m^itluM’ point, had tlu' sU|L!:fJC<*s(ion raised in my mind a
doubt of the simau’ity of his friendshij).
Thus nuK’h I had written on this sul)je(*.t almost in the words as
tlu'V stand now pria'isidy in (hose words so far as they speak of
Major Lewis, whiui 1 was remiiuhMl by one of the prec.ediu<jj lid.Uu’s
of the close friiaulship wluch hud lon^ existed between him and
McLane, sincere as I hud reason t<i know it was on the part of
Ixnvis, and, what, had a. more particular bearing uiion the subject
heforc'. m(\ of a messafijt'' from (huu'ral flmhson t,o McLane or to
Majoi' Harry of whiidi Lnvis had once told mci that, he was the bearer,
ddie. import of tbi‘ mt*ssag(\ us far as my nuunoi’y s(*rved, is s(‘.t. foihh
in (la*, letter from myself to Linvis which follows, I had not tluui
nor have. I now any rcco!l(‘c(ion of whul I said or did in refi;ard to
the message refeuauat to, neitlau* vwn I fix the period at wldu’h the
eommumait ion was madt* to mt» liy Lenvis, My ctundusion howc^ver
is that it was at. the tinu^ wlam it was my int(m(.ion to sidfer hygoiuas
(ui the. point, involvtal to numiln hygon(*s, and that 1 tluuvfore did
imt. hiaal the information. d'hi‘S(‘ riuninisetmei's stiggested the idea
of atfording Major L'Wis an opportunity to say what he might
think propiu* in rt‘gurd to the cours^^ Mr. Mi’Lane luul pursued to-
wards nu‘. in my aliscuu’e, as he was for many reasons the individual
582
AMHllK’AN' HlSTOU!(’Ah ASS< u 'I ATIoK.
most likolv to know t!u‘ wlioh* truth upon fhr suhjrrt ami us I was
lu'sidos not. a littia in tlu' dark, at (his lata day, u-* to what hail Ihmui
his own nH)tiv(‘ in making tlu* aonimuniaat ion rafarrad to to na*;
wlu'tlu'r to [Hit. nu* on luy ixnaial in n‘>jH*(*t to Mi*. Mtdauu* or only to
plaai* haror<* im* a aiuispiauou.s illustration of ()t*naral Jaok tin'r. tidal-
ity t<» his fri(‘nds a laatun* in his aharai‘tt*r wliiali Ixyth tha Major
and inysair had found many and intarastinrr oi*auvutia; (o appraaiaia.
My aarnast dasin* to piailt'td my na’ord of tlu^t ransaat ions nud fi*aUn/j:s
(d* whi(‘h 1 writa fi’om tha (’haiua* of arror or of injusfiaa, through
lajisa of nu'mory or un foumh'd suspiaion, iiudint*d uu» stroni^ly to
aid upon that idaa Imt this aoursi* was ona not frai* from ditliaultias,
'i'ht* rasult of all my n‘llaations upim tha subjaiU that 1 owad
it to truth, to Mr. MaLuna, and to mysalf, tt> afford Major Lau i . :ui
opportimity to say wind lu* mi|4lil di‘siri‘ ti* say in n*pard to it and on
tlu* Itlth of April last Inn hijir had no aomumniaat ion witli or informa ^
tion uhont him for naarly t wanly yaars. I aildra ad him a . folhiw .:
•M A. lull u .M. n. i i
I aM»r*** u \M», i;*M/ {*^th tsJtH,
AIy dkau Sir,
If ii^v nuHimry 1 m utH lunri* sit Uta'inilf tiutn laauii. >»»ii uiu’r luiU uif nuit
^Uhum’jU JiH'IvSim NUMiu'atliu' tliiU iHlArtM utTt‘ Halloin’: uttU thr louHUrd,:*- .a a
nartiou nf Ills ( 'ithliu*! . whilsl 1 w.t . iit I'aial'iuU {«» intataii !h> u»M?jiU;Uii>ni t‘nr
till' {illh't* ut’ \ (ft* I'l'cslUi'iU , M'lit yun to .Mr. Mrlaou*. ulm, hi* iip|n’rhi-i}i jrU \\u.4
f{i vniirablt' In tha | 1 uMIi a lur .vaia* l*» tlm rin*r{ '‘I'h.o if tlnil
was {inrslsitMi in mnl nmUa Mur<*aN'.ru!, in* unulU no to tin* HonuUiUto at Uio »*u(l
(»r IiIh tlrst tarm“; sunt that yoit italiM’rtn! U to Mr. Manana.
I am praijai'liut Moinothinn itba an utUoiilnrranby of m^, Um to t»o nnt»U*aua!
aftar my Uoatli, In whh-h tin* to*nt*nil will norr^. larily t tii a isirror fbasn^ ttam
rn>Hrlt’ siinl thrmirli uhn-h 1 liono to iniut'‘'''‘ nt> loaUfa/s \Mth a tnmr ainl [
liona si ill luora Va\oral»U* »*!' his I'haviatin* ninl iu|nuatn‘s than !ho\
no.SN*ss. Xot tin* lojaH nronilnont lisuuro in that rhanoi»'i\ uas lUs InhHlfy
to his i‘rh*nilH; autl it IniM nrrtni’fU to nn* that thi'* • irrniuMtaJn** iua> hr sins
atvMsrtin.v taunhuail to Uhrarata hhi Ui‘i»o'a(n»n In Unit rri|.niol it I am ronrrf
In ras|it*rt to (In* iinis' ainl Jnnt* no tH»jr{*tlon tn nirh* hriri|.j thns MHr«r Ht‘
wan {Tom tin* fimr ot’ iu> rr*ii.Mmthin rh-siroiiH fhat I nhouhl run for that «>ltirr.
Imt I was ojHio imI to U hrfoja tha rrh*r{ii»u. It I am iirtU in rrraol to thr
lirhiripai c’trrunisljinrrM It uiU ht* tlrslmhla that vou nliMiihl sja*»if\ at uhul
parint! iha t ran.*inrth»n foi»k phirt* uhathrr hrfnn* or atfrr thr Unal arUnn cH'
tha Si*na(a. it >nu |in*r**r tor an> rraHon to ^uy nothing' npnn thr ?mhjra{
,\oursrIi\ or to lutvr nothing Haiti ahotU tt hy mr, y»tii Imvr otU\ to ?ui> -.u am!
tin* aflair ulU ha Irft nnfonahatl, I am not poMltUr that I ahaU nsr tt in any
avrnt.
You Ka»‘ii tinit*i HUa u wlw man, anjoy ra»orl hralth, t liopt*, amt an* h:U»n> I
tin not clonht. in ^our alrrumstunarH. Whrra I- \unr Uuui^'Uiar ami hov. Ui Urr
hajtllh ami ,\ntir own? Mina at TU in hattar thiiit it has ro*r hafora hrati, uml
I t'Ujoy Hta atlmirahly.
With In'Ht wlhhaH for ,\tmr hralth uml Imnnina-iH
\'t*ry tnil\ ymr.s,
M Vv% ns ai s.
MS. V. ji. o;i).
ATTTOlUOcntMMI V OK iVtAIlTlN VAN HUUK/N".
683
I ^ivK the whole of liis reply {e.xeept as inenlioned below) be-
cause' tho’ parts of it, have, no partuailar reh'renee to the subject',
midtu* cousideraUonj they serv(' to show t.h(^ character and disposi-
tion of tlu‘ man, and are in that. r(‘speet. not without value and in-
ti‘r(‘st.: a part, of the postscript, statecl that then* was a t)assa^e- in
the papt'r he sent me headed “ Notes, etc/’ whi(*li lu^. particnhu*ly
<h*scrilH‘d tiiul whi(‘h on redeetion he ])referr(Hl should not b(*. pub-
lished and which being loft out would not as he truly sai<b “atl'ec^t
what. p!U‘ce(h‘d or followed in tlu'* least/’ Tills passage*, whilst it
repeats mom spiM*ilically the charge against Mr. M(*Laue. of setting
on foot an intrigue to defeat my nomination for the ollice of Viec,
Pj’e.sidimt, to promote his own ultimate views in respect to t!)e
Pi-esideney, inipli(’aies also another gx‘nilemau of whom he did
not wish (o speak, d1ml part, of tlu* Posiscu’ipt t(^ his let-ter as wed I
as the passage* in Ihe^ Notes'’ red’ei’reel to are* omit.ieel.
N AS 1 1 V 1 1 .1 .K I jiri ( .i.J. / HiVJ.
My ucau Sut,
Your h‘ll(*r t»r elii* leHli Inst, lias ln*(*n aiul lii(‘ best rt‘j»l.v I can niaki*,
it i<> nu‘, is to s(‘n<l yoei tli(‘ {‘uclnst'd pape'rs. 'Phey <‘ontain (*vcry tiling oT
jna)orIanri‘ In relation to Ihe noininalion oT a eaiulblato Tor tin* \'icc pi'esblcncy
in i'f which I hav(‘ any UnowtcUi-^t', and an* inon* to he rt'llcd on (Inin any-
(dhia I <'an say, (ir write*, at thiselhdant day, as they w<‘r(* wrltte'n when nil (In*
facts and cl rcimtslnne'c's we'n* fre*sh upon my mind, ^■ou (‘an r(*ad lliem and
if yon line! nnytUinjjj In (lu*m that you weadd like* to have* t ransfe'rrt'el to your
prondsiMl au(ohh»ku-aphy you an* lu‘artlly we'h'ome* to nseUhem, Imh'e'd, tin*
important and lnl(*n*stUi}.? (*ve‘nlH lhi*rein narralcel he*lonr: to the* history of (he*
tim<‘s In which they ocemrrcil, and slmiild he* phi<*e*el <m n‘conl for the* use «d’
fulnre histtirlans e»f our e*e»unt ry and I have* md the*re*fon*, (he* le*nsl ohJe*clions
llnet yem shall use* them Iti sue’li a way nsyeiii may de'cm most ]>nHle'nl ami proper,
I ha\e* one* re*eiue*sl to make*, hc)We*ve*r, If ymi cemcluele* to use* tliean and that is,
eat re'ueifim tlicm, If jou shttll (Ihel a single e'xpre’ssioa timt. you think will ^Ive*
pain to .Mrs. Mchane* that yoti ejit he‘r st rllu* It out, or nmellfy It, I have* alwtiys
lunl rreat re'spe’ed for he*r uml her fnadly, tind wotdd iu* e‘K<‘e*e'ellna:ly unwllliiuj
lt» say or elo any (hluKi H’ I kne*w it, lluil wnuhl he* cale‘UhUe*d to wotinel t!n*lr
fe*e*llaas. I also had rre*a( rcspe-e*t Utr Mr. Mclitim* hlmse*!!’, and was always
wllHnr to serve Idm In tiny wjiy I e’emlel, Imt I tnusi say that \ wsis Kre‘aily sur
prisetl to !hid him No.stronKly opia»seil to yean* nomlimtloth unele*r all the* <‘lrcinn
stanei's of the* case*, f Imel alweeys h»oke*fI upon him as eaa* of your warnu'si
nml he*st frU*nels tnai (*oun!e*el epion Id.s unltinp^ with (h‘ne*ra.l Jju'kson and Iti e
edher rrie‘mts In your support, with Krcaf ceTtahity. I elid not tlr(‘;im (lint he
Intel any aspirations to the* pn•^■4eU*ne*y himself, for liie retiseui linil I km'W, wlien
he le‘rt the t ‘tilted State’s fur Mimhuid in IsliU, he* Intel his e*ye* upon iimdher and
very ellfiVrent ohjeed. lie* the*ti prefe*rred ti seat on the* Ueneli of (he Supreme
(’(jurt td’ (he thilteil Stales; but on his return, afte*r ImvitiK {iceMdapIlshesl (he
<»hjecf:; foi‘ whh-h be was :-ea( hi l.omlon, it sei’amd that ** n e'lmitKe* ettme* e)ve‘r
(he spirit of Ids dre*{im,” lit* we*nt to Knjdaml reluctantly, as l ehtn* say ytm
recedh'cf, hreaet a*, he said, With his lar^e* family he eotihl tiot live hi I.ondon ipton
the salary our e ;o\i*rume*nf Uien tiUowcd to our foreit^u MlnisteTS, .bul^i:e*
I ms ail, one ♦»f the* .Justieos of (lie .Supreme ( ?ourt of (lie* r. Slates was 51 \e‘ry
old. man, anti eotihl md reaNtautldy he e.\pec|e*d to live very leaiK, jual if he* had
amkuh’AN nisToint’Ah assixmation.
r)S4
or ri‘siKnt*(i, hi'Auu* Mr. MoLuiio nMnrnoii lt> tlit‘ W Slaton, or boi’oro llu*
Itduk (nmUlrft (inmr, I luivo no l»n( that .larka.ii wotjhi Iiavt*
plac(‘(l liiin oil (lio lUaich of tho Suj>n‘im‘ (’onrl, for ho auihori/.o*l mo {«> say u>
him, l)ofor(‘ his doparlun* for Mimiaml, tha( Ito wotihl dt> so, hut tho rojooticai (»f
Mr. M’aiii'y’s nomination as So^-ndary of (ho'rroasury I >rjiarlmont, hy thi* Sonati»,
(*oniu*<*l(‘(l with o( lK*r oiroumst anot's, (h‘to»*mim*ii th<* Prosidont (o «>iror tin* \aoant,
stall on till* ihaioh, oiMaisionoil hy tho ri'sl-nat ion of Jmiao iMivall, It* him, Mr.
''ranoy, upon llio sami* prinoipio that imluood him am! his t’riomls to insist (ut
your nominal ion for llu* ^dol* 1’ri‘slth‘noy allot* your ri‘Jo«’ji*ui tiy that samo
rjiolioiis body, ji majority of whioh tlion oonsisiod of t‘lay Whites tind <‘ulhouii
Nuiliilors!
Hut Air. MoLiino wa.s not tin* only ouo of our ]irominout frlomls that tloslrtal
llio nomimiflon, lii opp<»siliou io you Hov. l''or.s)(h also waiiiod It, but ho
did not outor into tiny oomblmiflons, or Inlriauos, so far as I wtis atjprlsod,
to dofi'at you. Pol. Uloluird dohns<»n, not only <losin*d it, but was urfdtu! ills
olalins wit It all tin* powor tiud inllm'uoo la* possi‘ss*«d to ubt.'iln H, o\ (*u down to
llio vt*ry last niomont almost, its you will j»orot'i\t* on roadiio' tin* noi»'S I soml
you. 'I'lu* olaims of .so\t*rul otliors won* alsfi wariuty ui’r.od by Ihoir trionds,
amon;^ tin* most promlnoiit of wltom woro Judr.o Wdllvins, th»v. I di’ldn.*4ou, tif
Nh .1., and Judr.o IMillip Ibirbor. of A’irrinla. 'I'ho la(ft*r }rontli*man was
oarnostly roc-tunmoudotl by Mr. Kondall * In n h'ttor ho umio mo t'rom
wa.s lairnostiy ror‘ommond(*d hy Mr. Koiuhill In a Iotit*r ho ur«dt* mo from
(‘onoord. Now IlamioJdro, whoro la* had r*'iu* on a visit to (Jov. tbaaoi Hjl|
and m> douhl with tho jit^prolud ion uf that rontlotmm. Sooln^t (Imt tlds {pto aluu
was llkoly to ^tivo us muolt trouhh* and mdo.s sat isfaoturjls arratiroii iti s.iuno
way, and (hat too wKluuit nmoh dola> , mirld liooitim* d.Mtirots-us to tho \ory
(‘xistoias* of our iiarly, In my rojily to .Mr. K«*ndair.s h-ttor I surrosiod to him
tho o\})odionoy indood ahsohdi* nooo.'isity, of advbJmt oiir fi ioisbi o\or> v, hort*
to Kol up n untinuti) tanrt nt itni, to oon\»*no at .suuto oninouiont point, for tho
purt»o.si‘ of .s(*h*ollnr siuuo snltuhlo and pro[»or porstui to bo pbootl upon tho
o)(*(‘lt>ral d'loUot with (Jouoral Jaokson, a*i a oamlidato f‘»r tho \ hs* I'ro' idonoy,
and, as tho Horlslafuro of Ni‘w llnmpNtdn* was tliou in .st*.H*Jon, t l»or;:od liim,
wllli Mr, lUirs assistanoi*, to ;.a*t it if possibh* to adopt is-^obu ions, rofono
mt*ndinr to our frimals, in o\ory stafo, tin* yottiiut up of mirh n is.n*. out hui
SiK’h a proposHion ntis .suhmittod to tin* l.orl^bit uro, and ro-iohdlons woro
ado}MoiI wilh rrojit unanimity b\ tin* frh-iids i»f tho Adndidst nit ion. Similar
pro<*oodlnrs W4‘ro afiorwards adoptotl by m‘jirly all tho f)om«*or;tHo sintos In thi*
rnion, whioh rosaltod in tho ini’olim? id’ tin* Ponvonlion tliat sal iti Haltlmoro
on (ho ‘JMth of May, ls:Vd. and whioh nomhmtod^* you for tho \ hs* Prostdonov.
d'hls wtiH tho lirst onjivontioii of tho Kind (*vor rollon ui» i hoUovo, in this
oountry, and thoy Inno boi’ii i%{‘pt up ovi‘r .sinoo hy both domoorats and uhiri
d'hi* oonvorsation I had with Mr. Mol.am* ami to whioh ,\ou rofm* In your loltrr,
must havi* iakon phiooai>oui tlu* hist of h’oijnmry is:k>, and iml a short timo aftrr
your r(‘jootlon by tho Somdo. 1 roooUoot vary woll proxiously to that timo, you
wort* opt»»sod to bt'inr nm for tin* V!«‘t* Proshlmioy, for I oonvorsiMt with >ou
.Hov(*rul timoH upon that suhjoot Ijofon* you loft tho !‘nitod Siatoa for hhiidand ;
t)Ut, In otiposHlon to your own opinions and wlshos, i»oth tiouonU .bioUson am!
mysolf won* dt'oldodly in favour of it. I Ihourht, to ho asNorlatod with tho
(ionora! and run for H\o Viot* Pr4*Kidonoy upon tho sumo 'rh*io*t with him vxmpii
hrlnjjc you nau*i* promiiH*nlIy hi’fon* tin* oount ry, and stn*nrthon vonr prosp^ot i
for till* Prosidonoy at tho ni*Kt muu*4*(‘dln}' (‘U*otion, and for Hmt rt*uson I uus
1
I
1
3
» WUlhiiii WUkinH, .Muhina lUrkiTHoa, i‘hUla nurlmtir, niMt .\fjur> KiuhIuU
»M.S. V, p. lun.
Al’ToliHKIUAPn V OK MAUTIX VAN" UUKKN.
585
n't'niK’ilt'il {i> what must jhtsouh funsliU'n'il u gri'iii safrUicis <m yu\ir part, iu
up lUu StiUu Ih'puriuuMit tor tho tulssPm to Ot>mlon. I rvM’oUoi't loo,
that lliinkhp^ it possiblo that you mu:lit porsist iu rofusiim to run, I cousuUcmI
you with n'aanl to tlu' ht‘st ami iiatst sultalih' ]jorson t<» ln‘ run for that sit na-
tion, timl that yoti roiHuumonchnl ({ov. |)h‘Uiusou, i)l’ Nt‘w ,lors(\v ; hut arica* tlu‘
rt'joction hy tin* Si*natt\ your tvur ami ainvuu' rrloiuls wcmm'- < h‘(onniniMl to run
y<m, roaardh'ss i»r all ohjtMaiona whothor nanh* hy taaMuloH <»!* piaMtaHliuK triimilH^
and at thoir iaaal stotnl tho uohh* thil laM'o ami Paliiot (h’ tla‘ Uormitap*.
Ihji I will m»t htiVt' you any louKnr with my romlnlsoontH's upon tIu*Hi» tihiamt
tint h{Uatt*{I HUhJoots.
My ilatt^hl or ai’tor wliom yoti ho khally oiaiuha^ is still living hi Paris amt
lau’ hoalth i tun liappy to Inform you Is pratly ^oml with tlio (*xot*ptlon of
oocaiNiiaial attaoKs of rliouumtlsm or mmralKia* h'hoso oomplaints, howovta*,
^aau*rally nro not danKot’otis, tlm' Homtdimos aooompanltMl hy aouto timl
jailn if sht' <‘an only stoor oloar of <*onHUinp(loih or pulmonary tUltioUs shr
may llvo to a nootl old aao, hut us almost I'Vi'ry mt*mla*r of hor family on tho
Mo(Ia*r‘s shlo has dhsl of that oomjjiaint. I havt' nhvjiys boon fcairful (lull sla^
^vouhl la* taUon olT In tho saint' way; hut thnnUs to a Ulnd Proviih'iiot*. hIu' has
thus far osoapoil ami as sho Is now uinvartls of 'll), slu* may i*s«*npo (‘iillri'ly.
Vt‘S, hIm' and Mr. Paroot aru still living In Parts with tht' Impt* of soon wltiu'ssln't
lilt* t‘\it td’ lamis Nap«do<m, ami tlu' Uoslttratlon of tia* Paairlaum! d'ht* tlr.si sho
may llvo t»» soo amt |>orhaps md loiuT, as tiu' latUlloal atnmsplu'rt' <d’ lOuropi'
]»orti*mlH appvta'himt storms ami ItsnpostH Just mnv ; hut tiir ailvont td’ tlio hitlis*,
If NapohMin t*\on shouhl ho ov(*rt lirown, T tajuslilur (*\trom«*ly prohhmmlloul, In
thoir tlay at loasf !
My own hoaltli, llko >ours, is iituoh hottt'r than it U‘:»*d to la*, uml hy tlu' tlnu'
I ^ttd to ho us tilil u mun us ytui iiro, If It camtlnuos to impn»vi* us it has dono for
tho last 12 ttr M yt'ars; it will, t hopo, hooiuuo porfool ! You say ytai uro Td,
I am anty Tl uml {onj tla* rlso, (hut Is on tho^rdli day <»f no\< .Itino I .shall la'
lU If 1 livt* to st*i» that day. I nttrlhuti* tho iiniirovoil oomilthm of my liotilih
mainly to ilu' oM'rolso I tuki'' in thi' opon nlr on horsohaok, I havo a vory nlot'
farm, ami (pilto a protty plmu' uilJtdninK NiiHhvillo, and ovi*r nliaa' I roturnod
from W'aMhhmton I nmkt* it a ruU* to rldt' ov«*r it, on horso Imok twioo a day,
wlmti tho wl'attior is nnod, morrdnn ami o\oMim, for <‘\t'ro{st' ami, at thi' sumo
(lino, to HIM* how my farmlii't: ojaTathms aro rot Hint on. In tny farming: hust'
m*KS, 1 am sniaothhut llko (uir tdd frloml, tho (h'la'ral. was In hlH military opi'rn-
(ions wddh* In tho sorvloi*, I md only tdvo my ordors hut I tako oaro to h<*('
thorn
Aro any of your .*on.s UvliiK with you; or, llko mi' aro ycai all ahmo; Martin,
I hoHtwo, did nv(* wltli you, hut ymt havt' hud (lu* sad ndsfortiino to h»s(‘ him,
whirh I ri*rrottod (‘xroislhutly to hoar; hut >ou Imvo throt* loft you fUlll, and in
that rt'.spoot Providoiu’o Ims lusm klndor t»j you than tt> mi*. / htitl f/irro. a son
ami two dnmthfors; My son and ,\«»uiuu*st dmmhior an* tloiul. Sho <iio<t in hor
22nil .\oar, loa%imt a son m*w In his lotii yi'ar, ami a v<*ry nioo pnaidslnK buy
la* is. My son diod in his 'Joi li ,M*ar, Just nftor lu* had ni’mluati'd, hrsl at th^or^i*'
town <*oll«*ro, ami aftorwards at Haruird t'ldvor.slly. Ho was j'voryt hlim Ihnt
a diwotist and atft*oi loiiato father onuhl d(‘siro a son to h**, mnnilly amt liitol-
lootually; huf doiith is no ro poidor of porsuns. d'ln' wm.VM of lM*ovldoms' an%
Indoi'd, insorufaldo ! llnw many worthloss varalamdH art* pormlttoil to llvi* and
taint tlio moral and stiolal atmo*,phoro with (la*lr foul ami posdfi'rotiM hroalh,
w Idl’d tla* hrit^ddost ornamonts tjf socdoiy an tiflon .snati’hod from us, as iL
Won*, In tho iiiortdm' td’ Ilfi*, and in tIu' houuty and vlr;or of nmidmod I
V«>nr sons w hott 1 th"d km*w' ilioin wore md |.u’own, with tla* o\{’oiiti(>n of tho
oldojif, Imt laiw if I wort* to nioi't with tlu'in, lUHtoud of hoys, I <huM* say I
niSTonil’AI. ASS(jriA'I’I(>X.
sliould lliKl iluMM ^ri‘y lu'atlinl W’rll, \vlu*iluM‘ {ln‘\ In* still, {N<auM
iK‘V(‘r old), or fjn't/ Ik ads I hoic vmi In pro aMd my Lind roaards (o
tlua!i, and that yon will rtHH‘lvt* Tor yt>tH\‘--oir tlio boM \\ishos of
V(My 'Pruly Yours,
W'm. r.. lawns.
To M ak i'in \' vn r.maiN
KUuh vImalc, St ir Y(trh\
T. S, ^I'ho iaip(*rs 1 scaul you aro orii'lnahs and as 1 lut\o no coplrs of tlnaii,
I w'ish, w'luMi you aro dom* uitli thoin, thal >t»ti will pul ilirtn up rarotully
and sond lh(*in haoU (<j mo thro l ho Post oilioo ; thal is If Wi* sh.dl ha\o. at
that tiiiH', any such (‘stahllshmoni In this onuntr\ I
Idr. Tarw(‘ll,‘ I la* wrilor of (ht* loth*r l soial yni with iho unlos, P, an hom^sf,
atul vt*ry o.sthnahlo man, and w as (*\oootlin;d.\ U‘ofnl at iho <‘on\i'ntinn nf ls:vj.
Ho was api»‘»in{t'tl a roooivor of puhlio monio*; at ono of tho Ohio j..ihd ottln-^
hy (h‘ni‘ral .laokst)n and, I holiovo, was almost tho only ono In tho uhoh* Notih
\\‘ost<‘rn <’ountry, imh‘(*d I may say SoiiHi \Vo.sti*rn aPd. that honostls aoonimtod
for llu* puhlio incaioys rt*oojvt'd hy thoin. Ho Oi>ntinuoil in ««ihi’o thrmi 'h >our
Atlnunist rat ion, and may .stjU lodd tho samo otlioi* i'«»r auahl 1 Uiowv,
\\ M. l». I.i w'm.
Ihivo you t*vor soon a oorrosp^mdomM* hotwom Mr. A. ( Phmo amt m\ .rU
upon tin* suhjo<n of ytiur iMsm*' run tAr tho Vior Pro‘. hlmoy v It j,Po’o in
Pohnmry not loip; aftor your rojortion, as .Ministor to Phodand, l.\ tho
Si*na((*, I (hinlv 1( pmhahio .Mr. ^Ma.‘’a has {»ro'ioi‘vi«t) it, aiii! it \on h:t\o ma
S(»t*n it I am sort* ymi would ho nnitillod at it.-, poru: al. ;is p ha . a In arms upon
Iho ^ oi y poinl rot<*rri*tl to in y our lot lor to me*, it my mom«iry . taw t*. un
oorrool ly.
Aoun. 2r»th/r>P.
\\M. P*. laui..
W till I in** uhnvt* loflt‘r ♦Major lj(*\vis t*noltr't*ti tjp* al a) a ilne'tuiiout
(*i)(i(l<‘(l “ Not c‘s cf.” cvi'iT iJiu'l. nl' ullirli will In' I'tiiiiiil lii'lms i a\i*
ihi' paKsii^c wliicli lu' (li'r-ircil :.lii>iilt| nnl 111' |inlili Ill'll) ami al u llm
ori'i-iiial ii'llc:- from MajDi- Malon .•.juiKcn ol* in llm ” .N'nlt; llolli
pnjH'i's aii|U‘ar lo have lu'eii written manv yenr,. afo altlm' the
“ Notes'' in the huiiilwi-itin^^ of Major la'w is ami siynetl hy him heai'
no dale. Mr. Larwell’s letter .-ent witli the uhove i. eonfined to a
review id’ the iindlmiiiary .-.leps ami doin<.':s of the Haliimoiv (’imven
Mon of IHlhl, aslo whii-h he eonlii'iiis the .-.tateim'id.s of .Majur Lewi-;.
Dt'eply aireeled hy the conteuls «d' the e jiajier:, whieh threw .i
deeper shade over Mr. MeLane’.s eondm't. towards me than I had
ever allowed iiiysell' to Ihirdi it deserved 1 apiin add res ed Major
Lewis, and asked him to inform me as nearly us he eoidd at wliat.
time his “Notes" were written. In his rejdy he .says:
'I’lie Ktiili'iiii'iit, was lU'i'imreil al WasliliiKtiui as jmi Hajiiu.ae, Inn ilii. iirael-..-
liiae II. was linin'. I ito mil anw ri'i'nlleel. 1| was, tinwever, in ilir laii,.,' pm-t
III’ Cenernl .laeUsint's AilinlulKirallnn, If my im-mnry sm-vi's me ••i.rn-cil.v i
feel iiretly eimlitlenl nf this. Iii'i'nuse alnmi Ihe time 1 eniiiem|.lal.'il ilrawln,;
It mi 1 WTole til .Mr. A, flaiij; ami reiinesfeil lilm in arml me a rnpy nl’ ii
It. Larwill, *' V p. t 7 u.
AUTOBIOGRAPHY OP MARTIH VAH BUREH.
587
letter I wrote him in Feby 1832 upon the subject of your rejection by the
Senate and, also, in relation to the Convention and your nomination for the
Vice Presidency, which letter I wanted to see previously to drawing up the
statement and having kept no copy of it, I desired Mr. Flagg to seud me one.
This, I think, was in the Autumn of 1835, but my letter, if Mr. Flagg has
preserved it, will show the date. At all events it was before General Cass left
the U. States on his Mission, as Minister to France, which was in the summer
or the beginning of the fall of 1836, because I perfectly recollect, after getting
a copy of my letter to Mr, Flagg, that I showed the correspondence to him.
So that the statement must have been written in either 1835 or 1836. Why I
did not show it to you I cannot tell, unless it was for the reason that I sup-
posed you had already been made acquainted with all the important circum-
stances and facts relating to that Convention. I do not think I ever showed
it to General Jackson, nor did I ever make him fully acquainted with the
very extraordinary conduct, on that occasion, of some of his most intimate and
trusted friends, because I knew it would have deeply mortified him, and I had
no wish to do that.
The omission of a date to the statement was probably owing, I think, to an
expectation that some additions might be made to it. I know that I had always
intended to write to Mr. Larwell upon the subject and get a statement from him,
who was perfectly conversant with all the movements in connection with the
proceedings of that convention, more for the purpose, however, of corrotoratino
my statement, than from any want of confidence in its correctness. I omitted
to do this, however until I saw in some of the democratic papers an attempt to
depreciate the services of some of those who had been most active and resolute
in their efforts to sustain General Jackson in what was known to be his wishes
with regard to the nomination, of yourself for the Vice Presidency, and then it
was I wrote to Mr. Larwell and received from him, in reply, the letter I sent
to you, which I filed with my own statement, prepared some three or four years
before. The object I originally had in view was to place it, with many others
of a similar character, in the hands of my son, thinking they might be. some day,
interesting as well as instructive to him ; but after his death, poor fellow, I have
taken very little care of them, and it is a wonder that I was enabled so readily
to lay ray hand on the one I sent you. Since then I have been lucky enough to
find the correspondence between myself and Mr. Flagg, alluded to above, as
well as in my first letter, and which, I herewith enclose to you. Those are the
only copies I have, and I must ask the favour of you to return them to me with
the other papers I sent you. I never expect to have any use for them myself,
but I have two grandsons who possibly may.
But to tlie statement itself, which I now copy — omitting a single
paragraph at his request, as explained above, and appending the
letter from Eaton referred to and as much of the letter to Mr. Flagg
as relates to the same subject: the residue of the letter treating ex>
clusively of efforts to extend the circulation of the “Globe” News-
paper.
Notes &:c.
The cause of my writing to Mr. Eaton the letter to which his is a reply,
requires explanation. The day before Judge Overton ^ left Washington to attend
the Baltimore Convention, which sat on the 20th May, 1832, I stepped into his
^ John Overton, of Tennessee.
588
AM Mill ( 'A N 1 1 1 S'n m 1 1 ’A I i ASSt H'l A'l’ I < UN .
room (wo (u'ciipiinl ronius at thi‘ IM'i^suU'nt’s H«>ust‘) iin<l hoiml Ijim Imslly
(‘im’ujjftvl writin^^;. I hiul soarooly tuUon my si-ai, uliou lit* laitl tlnuu hi*, iion,
mill a(*oos(o(l ino thus “ Wi'll, l,t‘Wls,’’ sahl 1h\ “if uo simultl imf In- aiih* lo
mauinatt* Mr. Viiu Huron r«»r thi* Vlot* I'rt’sith’Uoy, iiost shall uo tako/"
I (luiokly ropliiMl, JUKI with stuao fooliiu!:, if uo {*anuot i;t’{ htni, I raro n«>t s\lnau
you s{‘lo('(, “(Nano, ooita*,’* .saitl ho, “that’s imt liko a jaano'al au ahh* rma
iiuuuUu* alway.s oxanilutss his j^rouiui wi‘ll hotoro ho r,‘n*s luf'» uottnu, uiih an
t\vo to (hhVat as woll as victory, st» that lii case if hcctiuios uccc. iary h»* may
niako u .salV riMnait." “ Hut. .IiulK^k*’ I rcpllotl, “ then* an* limes ami tu'ca*4i»us
whoii lik(* ('orti*/., a ctinunaialor slamhi * huru hb* ship*;’ with th«* \h‘W of
cuttiu^c oil’ all luotins of naroat,’’ “(’<»mo, ciuno,” la* rt*pllotl UKiiiu, “that, I tt‘ll
you, ks not Ukt' a man of House.” 'I'la* hlea .smhleiil> llashetl ufum my miial that
tluu’o was more hi the .lutli'.t‘‘s nmiarks than nu*t (la* ese, aial I fh*ft*rmiuctl
to SOI* what hi' was at. ” Well, .Imlm\'‘ I sahl, in nu ultero»l ttim*. “ perhap’i >»»u
are rlKht in thlnklm? ui* shouhl have na»ro than tuie .string t»» t>ur laev. llun*
you tlaapaht. iu»ai t la* .subject V IT sti, \vh«au \\t»uhl ynti rccMiitua'ial, hi c.oic ut*
shouhl fail in mir eiVorts tt» have Mr. Van Huron immlnnletiv” “Why. yes.
Sir,” he .said, “ I ha\o hocn lookiia^ anauul na*, ami in th.if t*u*ni, 1 ha\c tlaap-hf
It would hi* hi'st to take up (Jenoral Saiiiuoi Smith, td’ Ihiltimoio. lie In a man
who ha.s ht*eii lonai In the puhlit* service is woll kmnvn {«» Uu* enmitry. ami
would mupiest haiahly ho aoi’t*p{ahlo to the friomls of tla* .Ailmlnkitrathai.” 'klu'
v(*ry nionuuU he naiaotl (lenerul Smith, I saw h\ wla»m ami for what puiihim*
he had tieeu opi*rated on. 'Phe wlade scheme was as plain P» tm* an da\ lu hl.
Majitr Harry, the !*nsl master Henoral, was a etaiiicctlou <4’ dmh:c (Ht‘riiin nml
hail a ^U’eat deal of Inilnemn* n\t*r him, and u.m at the name (laic m the
iiitere.st id’ .Mr, MeHane, Secretary of the 'rreasnry, uh*», 1 was naliihed,
aiiKlonsly dc>dreil (o d« feat If p»e.‘,ihlo the msninatltm of Mr. \ an Hnrcn.
(Jeneral Smith was a favourite of Mr. Mchane's aad. h was e%pccttnl. w«»nld,
of cour.se, Use the hiilucueo of lus Ntathm for hln hcticfit. ' Ho adc i, ia* wan a
very old haul, and would he In m> 1 »o»1>'h way at rite done of tlrneral .hicknou’s
next term, d’liere ks no douht upon my mind that Mr, Mid. am* himncif ile-an*d
to he jdaced ui»oa the ticket with (?em*ral ilacknou. htu hndhn: lla-re wan no
hoiie, his next ohjeet was to md a frleial of hi?* own soh*idi*d. wh«» wiJidtl tad he
In hks way, at the m*Nt prefddeiiliid elt*ctii»n In cane he nlaodd he dinpiinctt to i nil)
ddds conversation with JmUs' tHiTfon caused me u K‘»‘*d deal of uneanim“>n,
for It satislii‘d me that there was an lnlrhmt*on hj**! ta dorVal the nt»iiiinalitai of
Mr* Van litireii for thi* Vice Hrenidem-y, and consmiueni !y for rhe nmcr rlun,
H(‘liur determined, therefore, to pruhe this matter to flie hotfom, if in m> power,
ami haviru? rt‘Holved to ,*:iaind Major Ihirry ujhui the huh|t*ct, t acttiidnudy
.soiudit nti interview with him on Sunday mondiuh (flu* Ihthi find without
letdtmldta kmnv my ohjeet, or saying nnytldtuc to him hi relation to m,v comer
satloti w*ilh .ludKe (UertiJii, I drt*w* him lnti> u convem.tflon atiout the maiwnfiou
and Its nominee, f«ir the Vice id’cshlciicy. After a few* prciimitmr> lisuark';, I
asked him if he tlmiudd there was any ilotild nhotit fla* immhmlhiU of Mr. Van
Hureu. Ill* ,nuhl he did hot coiiHlfler the nomination hy any means certain
I (old him I had .HUiipoKed (lint there would he no dltilculfy, imr dhl I yet think
there would he, as almost every dele^ati* 1 luni seen, was In favour of his nomina-
th»u. lie reidled, “ I thitdv you are mistaken in tin* views and feeilm:s of manv
of the tlelejiali's,” I <*amiot he, I remiirk<‘d for 1 had {’onvemed with mo i of
them from tin* ^VeHt and .1 hellevtsl they to u man vvoidil hn* Mr. \din Hun*n ;
and t imd K<»od reusun to tielievt* that th(»si* from Virginia ns well as New \ ork,
^ MH. V. IK m.
AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF MABTIK VA^I BUREH. 589
would also support him, “ Why,” said he, “ I doubt whether your Tennessee
delegates will go for him.” “ Why do you doubt that? ” I asked him— “ because,”
said he, “ I am told Mr. Eaton, who is at the head of the delegation, thinks it
would be jeoparding General Jackson’s election to run Mr. Van Buren with him
on the same Ticket.” This, I told him, was impossible. I felt confident, I
added that Mr. Eaton would support Mr. Van Buren. Upon this he coolly
replied, “ You had better not be too confident, for I tell you it is extremely
doubtful— he will support no one, who, he thinks, will endanger General Jack-
son’s election.” Here our conversation ended and we parted.
If my conversation with Judge Overton occasioned uneasiness, this with Major
Barry was still more alarming. The latter was an intimate and confidential
friend of Mr. Eaton, and I thought it likely, therefore, that there had been a
correspondence between them upon that subject. I well knew if Mr. Eaton and
Judge Overton should be opposed to Mr. Van Buren that he could not get the
nomination. — ^They being the personal and confidential friends of General Jack-
son, would be considered as representing his feelings and wishes in relation to
the matter, which would enable them to procure the nomination of almost any
person whom they might recommend to the convention. This determined me to
write, at once, to Mr. Eaton, who had been absent in Tennessee six or eight
months, for the purpose of undeceiving him, if he had been led to believe, from
any source, that the President desired the nomination of any other person than
Mr. Van Buren, or that he was ever indifferent about his nomination. I assured
him, in my letter, that so far from that he would be excessively mortified if he
should not be taken up by the convention — indeed, that he would as soon be
dropped himself, by his friends. I had no time to take a copy of my letter, and
as Mr. Eaton was rather careless with his papers, I desired him to destroy it, as
he says in his letter, for fear it might fall into the hands of some person who
would make its contents public, and thereby expose both the President and
myself. Whether my apprehensions were well or ill founded in relation to Mi\
Van Buren, will be seen from the tone of Mr. Eaton’s letter. If I had not
written to him there is no telling what effects the suggestions of others might
have had upon him.
Judge Overton and Major Barry, however, were not the only persons of
influence about the person of the President, I conversed with upon the sub-
ject of running Mr. Van Buren for the Vice Presidency. Among others I had
soon after his rejection by the Senate, a long and rather an excited conversa-
tion with Mr. McLane who alleged that if he were associated with General
Jackson it would endanger his success and the safety of the whole party. I
remarked to him that I thought it had been unanimously determined by the
Members of the Cabinet to take him up in case the Senate should throw him
overboard as was anticipated some time before it happened. He said he was
not aware of any such understanding — besides, he added, it would have been
useless for them to have resolved upon any such course, as there were other
persons belonging to the party, over whom they had no control, who would be
candidates. “Who are they”? I enquired. “Why, Sir,” said he, “Col, John-
son and Judge Wilkins ! ” I told him I could not believe either would be — the
former, I was sure would not, for I had just had a conversation with him in
my office, and he assured me that he would not thwart the wishes of the
party, if it desired the nomination of Mr. Van Buren. “ Well, Sir,” said, he,
“ I can assure you that he holds a different language to me. I understand
from him that he will be a candidate.” In this, Mr. McLanc was correct, for,
long afterwards, Mr. Speaker Stevenson and myself had great diflJiculty in
prevailing on him to authorize his name to be withdrawn. This, however,
i
590 AMKUH'AN UlST(JKU‘Ah ASStuiATU»N.
Iu‘ (lid, hut it was a t’uw days (Uily luU'on’ lht‘ iiu'etuii: td tht* miu »ai! hai. ,lmU;“
A\'Ukins, Iho* iicvtu* did (liM'liiu% and was, a ifW day-n atna* tins ts«avri‘ ai Juu,
actually iiaiuiuatcd hy a state eeuvtMUi<»ti uhieh .sat at Uarn .hure, mU the tfh
ar March U\ lay ceiiversat i(»us uitJi the Judies uifh ulaau I uas upuu
till' mast Intimate and frimully terms, 1 was UmI !<> helie\e. t hn’ uitUmit any
posit ivi^ asstiramu's Tram iiim, that he would at tin* proper tune deeliue and
leave (ht* coast i*h»ar ft» Mr. Van Ihiren ; Imt he ne\er di»h ami aetuaii^ re« ia\e.|
tlU' el(M’l<»ral voti* (»!' Ptamsylvunia Tor tiie \ iee Presidemw tl*or the* I thiuK,
lu‘ was neV(‘r forgiven, and was made to leel it in the ^;unlmer »«! ls:u. wloai
In* was sp(»k(Mi (d’ as Setaadary of Na\>.» r.ut to return to Mr. Mrhane. I
siski'd him wliy he was opl’“^^*<^ h> Mr. \‘an r.ureii’s noudtiation. And at tlie
wuni‘ tinu* reniarUed that from tlu' fritualshlp whieh existed hetueen lliem.
I had supposi (1 he waaild have l>een the very first to ur>te his muiunalion for
the situation rer(‘rr»*d to. Ih* said no otie was a )>(*ner fritaal of hi * than he, or
w<iuld la‘ mtu*t‘ willim: to sf*rve him, hut that la* tandd md i-Mteent to jeopard
th(‘ admiiiist rat ion for any (»m*. Ih* fiddly helh*\ed. he adtled, to place him oti
(lie Ticket, aftta* liavliut been rt*Jecietl h\ tla* Senate, W(odtl -.iid^ (iema'a) ,laeU
son, and eonstatutsil l.\ tla* whoh* t>arty with him. ddd.s la* thoneht was ha/ard
toti uua'h Tm* any mie an/a, 1 told him I apjirehended no :.neh dampn'uei
<’onse({uenct‘s. .\l all (‘Vtuds. 1 fell fidly auihorir.eil in n.i> liid that the ihaieral
was willing to swim or sink with Mr. \ an r.urcn ; and w«udd piiSta- coin,:
h/ick to (la* Uerudtaee rather than h*ave him to his faf«* umh'r aieti t iremm
stanc(*s. I lla‘n lt*ft Mr. .Mehaiie atal had no farther corner of t«»u with lom
upon the suhje(‘l,
d'in* ct»n\ (*rsal ion referred to nlnne, tie»*{udoned a etit»lne‘>i hetwcea ni\self
iind .Mr, Mel.ane. and from that time until after tla* tdeeiion ue e.eie tMjeelv
up(m .spealvlna terms. .Mr. \ un Mureii after his I'eturn }r«>m lairnpi* ahont tie*
tlrst of July IS.'IJ rd<oke t«* na* ahout Mr, Mrlaua* and said that we ou -hf md to
(|Uarrel addini; that la* was sure that he was a e'*od friend »d iiUm* mdulth-
stamihh^ who I had pa.ssed. I told him I Inal ia» wish to ipiarrel with him iUal
did lad mean to do so if I could avoid it. After the ele. ti.at, howe\ir, Mi\
Mcl.am* very frankl.v admllt(‘d to me (at a dinuer part^ at Mr. iaitnu'.s)
he htni heen mlstnU‘*n in his viewji with regard in the efiVei or rnnnim: Mr
Van Huren. /tnd that I had formed a mueh more corns‘t ophd<m 4*f puhhc
Hiadimen!. thir r<»rmer irh*ndship was renew i*d. and he had no hetter friem}
at WashinKton (hun my.*^ii*lf.
Wvi. H. k^.w PH.
"Kuom .M v.rou M vroN an \Vm, H. Lkwch.
tHadur#u*d .Miij Vhd,
It vr 1 1 .vnuu,
1>KAU StU,
I havi’ your hotter (jf Suiahiy uial have nanl and torn it to ph*ees .\ou
re<iu(‘steth
Don't distrust my feelliiKS towards V. It, th(»y are, as always they have hern,
KO(ul and kirn! and friendly. .\fy object has been, {tml Is to serve (o-nera) J/o’k
son; and no fear as to V. It. has (*ver <’ome aeross nas save timt his uoudnnthm
ndght do Jnjury to the Denernl, and to V. it, 'Phe tlrst is a prominent coie.iderii
tion wllh na*. V. H/s raanlnation will tipen (he Hoods of abuse upon him. and
d(‘feat Ids futun* pro.specls; for all lairtles will unlit* aKuUed him; t*j cr.\ down,
Aik-
MH. V, p. ISO.
AUTOBIOGRAPHY OP MARTIN VAN BUREN. 691
and to destroy him* My belief is, that if made Gov"*, of N. Y. it would be service-
able beyond his nomination here.
Wilkins would allay all, and keep all right. But Penn®, has not sent his
friends here. If they had I do not doubt but he would have been chosen ; as it
is, V. B. will succeed. For as far as I can judge V. B. will be unanimously,
almost, selected — unless we change out of great regard to him, and to his future
prospects.
We have been in session all day. Judge O. was appointed to the chair. He
was at home quite sick — very sick. I rose and returned our acknowledgments
for the civility — stated his indisposition, and moved that General Lucas ^ (Ohio)
be chosen ; it passed nem. con. We have a vast crowd — ^more than two hundred
members — from every state except Missi. and a fine looking set of fellows.
In great haste yrs.
Eaton.
Wm. B. Lewis to A. 0. Fiagg, Esq.
Washington, IJfth Feb. 18S2.
Deae Sie, * * *
You speak in your letter of the indignation every where excited by the rejec-
tion of Mr. Van Buren’s nomination and intimate that it is intended by his
friends, in New York, to run him for Governor. I can well imagine that the
people of New York feel veiy indignant at the outrageous conduct of the Senate,
as is the case in evei-y state heard from ; but my dear Sir, I hope his friends will
not think, for a moment, of running him for any ,^tate appointment. The wrong
has been done to him, the President, and the Nation by the Senate of the United
States, and it must be redi'essed by the people of all the States. From all quar-
ters heard from, the people manifest a determination to run him for the Vice
Presidency, and upon this, I think, they are resolved. I am sure, if it is desired,
or even expected to make Mr. Van Buren Pj’esident, this occasion to place him
prominently before the Nation should be promptly embraced. If the party can-
not now, under existing circumstances, succeed in electing him Vice President,
he can never hope to be President. To run him for any local, or subordinate
situation, would, in my opinion, destroy his political prospects forever. I speak
not my own sentiments only, but the opinions and feelings of every one of
General Jackson’s real friends here. Upon this subject I understand the Cabinet
is unanimous; (this however should not be spoken of publicly as it might have
the effect of destroying their influence upon that subject) and we have the most
encouraging [reports] from all quarters not excepting Virginia and Pennsyl-
vania. I hope, therefore, our friends in New York will throw no obstacles in
the way. If they feel a delicacy in actively co-operating, let them be passive,
at least for the present. I hope you will pardon the liberty I have taken in
venturing these hasty suggestions- I write as I feel, and as every true friend
to the President, in this City, feels.
I am Sir,
With much respect
Your Mo, obt. Svt.
Wm. B. Lewis.
i Robert Lucas.
CHAPTER XL,
The conduct which is brought home to Mr. McLane upon the
authority of his early and constant friend is submitted to the reader
without animadversion or even comment on my part. Most sincerely
do I regret the obligation imposed on me by considerations which
I am not at liberty to disregard to add what remains to be told
of our subsequent intercourse and in doing so to record, unavoidably,
what additional favours he allowed himself to ask and to receive
at the hands of a still confiding friend, against whom whilst absent
from the country and whilst struggling for political existence, he
had found himself capable of aiming a blow which promised to be
more fatal than any which the most embittered enemies could wield
against him. This will be done with as much brevity as the grave
public transactions out of which they arose and with which they
were connected will admit of. Moreover, what I have further to
say being with full knowledge of the treatment I have received,
the reader will not need to be reminded of his right and duty to
make all proper allowance for the influence of that knowledge upon
the tone and temper of the narrative. Let him also be the judge
of the success of my endeavors to say as little as possible and to say
that with calmness and moderation. It will naturally be thought
strange that the communication made to me by Mr. Blair and the
remarkable I'eply to my interrogatory by General Jackson did not
impress me with more caution in regard to further intercourse with
Mr. McLane. The only excuses I can give for the heedlessness of
my subsequent course are to be found in the hope I cherished that
Mr. Blair’s views of the matter, (a gentleman whom I did not then
know a thousandth part as well as I afterwards knew him), were
under the influence of prejudice, and the promise I made to General
Jackson to pass the matter by — a promise which when made, it
was not in my nature to observe half-way. But whatever may be
thought of this explanation, the fact requires me to admit the in-
terference on my part alluded to in Major Lewis’ statement to
appease the unfriendly feelings which had been excited in his
breast against Mr. McLane. This must have been almost imme-
diately after the course to be pursued had been agreed upon between
General Jackson and myself and it adds another to the singular
features of our intercourse that the first of my new series of efforts
to serve Mr. McLane should have been to soothe irritation caused
592
AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF MARTIH VAH BUREH. 593
by an act of hostility to myself of which I was, however, ignorant,
or it would seem, weakly incredulous.
It will be recollected that Mr. McLane in his letter to me of the
9th of August spoke of a visit to the north which he had in con-
templation to consult with me in relation to certain changes of
which we had spoken whilst I was at Washington; and to make
some suggestions both in regard to himself and others which he
deemed important. I received also from him some weeks later a
brief note fixing the time when he would come to New York and
by desire of the President (concurring with his own views of “in-
dispensable necessity”) converse with me on “sundry grave mat-
ters.” The “ grave matters ” referred to were of no less importance
than the transfer of Mr. Livingston,^ then Secretary of State, to
France, the elevation of Mr. McLane to the Department of State
and — ^last, though by no means least, either in point of importance
in his estimation or in respect to the aggravated difficulties which
were thrown around the subject by his views in respect to it — the
appointment of a new Secretary of the Treasury to supply the
vacancy that would be created by his own advancement. The two
first movements had ceased to be open questions and waited only
the expedient moment for their execution. The last was one of
great delicacy as well as difficulty, in consequence of the relation
in which the Administration stood towards the Bank of the United
States and the peculiar duty that the Secretary of the Treasury®
would, in all probability, be called upon to perform. Mr. McLane
was openly in favour of the recharter of the Bank — ^liad been op-
posed to the President’s veto and was equally decided against the
next great step the President had in view — that of substituting
some of the State Banks for the Bank of the United States as the
depository of the public revenues. He came to New York and we
there had the interview he desired.
My opinions in respect to the best course to be pursued were com-
municated to him without reserve. These were that Mr. Taney
should be apxoointed Secretary of the Treasury and Mr. Butler ^ At-
torney General in his place, both of which appointments were fi-
nally made after the President had been subjected to a world of
trouble by the intermediate selection of Mr. Duane ^ for the first
office. The preference I expressed for the selection of Taney for
the Treasury is alluded to in the letter from Mr. McLane to me
which follows, though not in express terms. Pie opposed it at our
^ Edward Livingston.
“ MS. V, p. 185. ^
2 Roger B. Taney, of Maryland, and Benjamin F. Butler, of New York.
2 William J. Duane.
127483°— VOL 2—20 38
594
AMKltIt*A\ ins'l’t >HU*Ar, ASSni ‘I
in(('i’vi(*w willi nuu'li cui'iu'st ii<‘^ * iiuil it ^^iil l‘»* lh.it hr rr|*t‘:ii ,
(hat. <jp[uisit ion (»inpliat irally in hi*’ Iritta*, hohliun; tip tu lur, au,!
(liroUii^h nu' to tlu' Pr('>ulrui» nothinn^ * (hau His {>uu ii*! ii laupiit
from piihl i(*. li l\' as t hr pos^aHK* rousrtpiriirr of Mr, laiu'V introilnr-
(ion into thr Trrasnrv nopaHiuinif,
Thai Mr. MrLant‘ (It*t('rnnnt‘il Hrinr’ Mr. I>niiai‘ into that ilrpari
mtml. of tlu‘ ( iovinaunimt \vhi<*li ahaa^ thr viru . nf thr Prr ithait
in n‘Sp(*rt to tlir t’lian*Ln' of tht‘ pluia* tii tlrpo.it mnltl !»r rarriftl
into rlfret. ami that hr rnirml npon thr ataMaopli-liHirnt of that
ohjrrt ha\ inir iTootl rrasons to Ijrlirvr that Mr. nuatir . \ iru . run
forimnl (U* ini.irht l>r HroUirlit (o ronforni tii hi own, no ma- lamiliar
with tilt' (wamts of that tinu' will iujw atfrrt to ilttuHt. If nni I lu‘
tidmitlrd that this attrmpt was a Indtl onr, w!i:ttr\rr in iv In* tlioiiidn
<j|' its <lisrrrtion with I'rfrrmri* to it;, idtiinatr isinvrtfUfms- t<» him
,s('ir. 'That hr :.ur('riHlr«l in it, is stronrlv illu ir;Ui\r nf thr in
fatnatiim Hv whirh Hfith tlir Prr idi-nt and luy rlt wi-vr inlrrirj
in rr'.pi*ri to him and <»!* tlm rt)irrt|m‘nt itdhiriu’r !ir ua r.ip.ddr
of rx{‘rrisin^ ovrr ns. 1 lunr said that in my opiniikn thm* i no
rrasonuHtr <:s;r<nuid t<» donht that thr appoint nirnt of Uuaur wa Ur.
dtdih(‘ratr srhiniu*; mwrrf hrli" s it mav hr now prrh ip' m idr a
(|m‘stiou luiviiir; rrhoanua* only to (hr r\ idriirr prndurrd wh''t!?.i*r
IIh' .snii;m*s( ion of Mr. Unanr'. namr orii**!!!!!!!*!] with Idio nr with
(hr Prr idriit, I rivt* t hr rvidtmrr nn Hoth idr fliut fhr iradri ma\
form hi^;o^vn jutlranrnl. In thr Irttrr uhirh fnlh»w . frnio thr Vv*- i
drill hr ant hori'/r . that latlrr Mippn itmn, whil t m a Mih «-*|nrui !.*j
{(n* to nir, wldrh is |nihlishril, ' prakitir' of thr rrimna! i»f fhr drpo
its In’ allmlr . t (} {htmip[iointmimt tifUnanra madr af Mr. MrL.inrh
iir lamas and (’ouiplain that hr h^ndt! lra\r nrprtl n with a know I
rd‘i'r that his (Duanr's) opiuiorr, wrir arunr.t thr mni nrr. Mi*.
IMair on thr aiur siilr, in hi Irttrr nf fln^ tlafr, av , fh\
(trnrral flurkajiu told nir po iti^rly itiaf Mr. Mrhanr hud iapprd
his hand on his tldu^di aftrr (StnvaN in^ othrr Prnn vK aman . ami
namrd Dnanr as tin* \rrv man for (hr jdurr.'' Mr. MrPaiir'. hn
trrs to mr whirh follow ran .'s’aiaady fail fti ^.trnuMhrn hrlirf in
that as thr mo^t prohuhlr romdm inn. 'Phr tnotiu* fio npprr
in^ thr farj (hat thr apjiointmrnt had that i«i'i»^in wa Ui pr«wrnt
jralmi y in thr (’ahint*! wdiirh woultt hr likrlv to ari r from o
^rrat an urrr ion. (o thi^ inllurnrr of onr of it', mrmhrr*., and wr
luivr In'forr M*rn thr prinriplr hy W'hirh thr {{rurr.al frh him *d f
ul lihrrty to hr puanaual \n ussuminjj: tlir rrvpttir ihdit \ of ihu
who artrd nmlrr him whru lu‘ (linufrht thr pnhlir intrrr t v.andd tir
proiuoti’d liy his doin^ siK As in tin* rusrs hi . nmlii idril a%-.ump
tion of Urn uppointiueiit of Kandtilpli, uml of tin* in (ntrf ion to Mr.
AtTTOBTOCUlAPnY Oy MAllTIN VAN BXTUEN.
595
McLanc on the .sul)jiH‘t. of the West Indies, he chose to place the
res])()nsihility wh<»re (he Constitution ])lnce(l it, and vdiere, more-
over, his luililary trainin^^ had tau;[i:lit him to think it on^dit always to
rest.
FllOM PllKKlDKNT JaCKSON.
WAsiiiNcrroN, X(n\ iirilh,
iMy Dkau Sih,
I niu in recvipl of 5'onr oonlldentlul letter of (lie instant and Inivn r(‘a«!
it: with attention and duly anted ita enntents as well as those of Its (aaMnsure.
I had prepared and sulnnitted to iny ( 1 al)inet (lie outliin's of my I\l(‘ssajjse to
('ontert'ss Ijofon* tlie reeelpt <»r your vlt'ws I)Ut was tO*ati!led to dnd that tlu‘y
eorrespond(‘d preelscdy. Tlds, from wliat. I knew lud'ore of your opinions, I (‘x-
pt'ftiMl and tlu' n'et'lpt of yours only eondrined tluan.
On tlH‘ Naval OUio' 1 will take an orika* In all 1 VI I >(‘ci'ml)(*r. in I luMmain time,
as I am awan^ that it Is ])ro]U‘r tiuit your mum* should not lu* IntnHiU(‘ed In any
way and as our (MH‘nd(*s in (in* S<‘ual<' may <’all lot* r(‘e{num(*ndnt ions, ^\*ould It;
not; lie wt'U in md. Oamhn'hmr:. Wiiite, Mtirey, and l>ndh‘y to pr(*s(ml 'riiroop
for that api)oInlnu*nt ; many otluM’s art* strongly pri‘st*ntt*d tor tliat olliet*.
I was anxious that tin* arrnnKena*nt in tin* i^ahint*! should havt* ttikmi phiet*
lK‘r<»n* tin* iiH*(*lina of (^)nKrt*s.s and tin* I\lhdstt‘r havt* hetm at Ptirls ’(*n* this.
Now It must ])t* postponed until jil’tot' (^>n‘0*t‘ss tntM'ts, and on prestMil iii.r; Mr.
Id vinj.mton to tin* St*mitt* a tU person must hi* Si*locto«l for l ht* Trt'asury.
I havt* ht*(*n ptissin^*: in n‘vli*w iN'tmsylvnnia, fir.ni, lht‘n Vlr^dnia and all tin*
South ami as yt*t havt* nth ht’i*n jdth* to umkt* a st'ltM'tjon. UUds i lltnl tlillleult,
'l'ht‘rt* art* Jealousies (ahout mt*n) in N'ir^inht tliat must nt>( In* aroust'd: and,
passiuK over tin* South and vlt'Wlnji: oiir presi*nt situation, It will not lit* iH*ti(lt*nt
to wt*akt*n ourst*lvt‘s Iti tin* St*nati*. 'Tin* charaott*!’ nnist ht* tun* of hirh standlnj.;
hi tin* Nation; ln» oui-dd to ht* In eonslltiilioiad and polltieal vl(*ws wltii us •
opposed to tin* powt*r t)!’ Ooimr(*ss to t‘stahllsh i*orj)t»rat Ions anywhi'rt* t'\{M‘pt in
tin* District of t'olumhia ami ojJtHJsetl to tin* iiowt'r of cn‘nthui: ct»rpornl Ions
tlu* (Jovi*rnment hi*coiuhu^ a par(m*r or siinreholdt*!* ; he ln*artlly with tts in
ri'duclim (lie n*v(*nm‘ to tin* wants td’ tin* Dov(‘rnnit*nt ami yit*hlln^t to our tnvn
hihonr, jHid prodm’tlons that an* mt'ans of national <lt*ft*nHi‘, such prot(‘(‘tlon
as wIU plact* nn*m «m Ji fair conipt*tltion with fort'lpi lahmir; a man of
inti*^rlty coml)lm*«l with tah*nt ami a disposition to Immanti'/.t* nnii unlit* In tin*
admhdsl rat ion for tin* ln‘n(*tll td’ tin* irhatr iiiian, cxtt'mllnt.!: Justict* to (‘V(*ry
I»arf of it. Help iiM* (o Ht*arcli on! such fi charac(t*r or ns nmu* it as <‘an ht*
ol»talncil, atn) wrltt* mt* stain.
Votir triumjdi is comi»iclt* nml tin* rm‘lhai In (he Senntt* condt»mnctl i)y an
<}vt*rwlH*IinlnK majtirity <d’ tin* iH*opl(*. You will fi:t*t all tin* votes tif tin* South
nml W<‘Ht cx<H*pl K«*idueky ami South Dandina tin* volt* In No, <-arolinn is
a Inrj^ct* mnjtirlty in VlrjJtlnhi, t»v(‘r\vh(*Indn!ii: ; your triuiuiiii, I r<*pt*{U, is lam-
onddi* to (he pt*opIt* ami must hi* t*uMrcly stitlsfachtry to ,vou. Wt* havt* tady
now to 14:0 <m and eoidimie hillhfui to tlu* tn'oplt* ami rcali'/.t* in mu* at*(lons (hat;
conliticnct* tln*y havt* so liht'rally n‘pft.st‘tl.
Intcnsi* iala)ur has lirouKht hack occashujal heatlaciu*. My In'ulth is tdlu*!*-
wist* mssl tind I trust l’rovid(‘m‘t‘ will proltnin: niy tlays a /////c ir/n 7 c and nudct^
mt* an lustruim*iit in Ills luimlH to put down the prest*nt exeltt‘UU‘Ut ami restore
harmony tu Mn* nation.
A M KIIK ’AX 1 1 l^Ti i|tU ‘At . AS St m ' i vru i X .
r>9(>
Mrs. U is H imwfll aiul AU >»*ur Miln'r fritiid. ati- wrW
anti in wlslifs aiul Kiial ‘ aiuiut
r,{*H»‘\r* luf >nur U'S !i.i
AIautin \'an Hrui n Kst|.
P, S. A happy llinualu ims nct’UrriMl : WiiUnia J. i Mimt*-, in whiau t w^ry
full iu* phuaul, tlaslu'fl iuta ih> iiiiiul, allrr sulfiti.; tiu* ainn*', -nitl
liavlniJf lumitMl him h> Mr. Mal.am* la* a -'-tir*'. m»‘ that hi ^ tahMif-, |h ru-r^ waj,
an* .sui(t*il In this sittjalioii. Nalrrtum pnf-. tajr ni uur way iu:ui,\ {himts
that wntihl Uav»‘ mnharras-^ial aiui wHl lm\»*n in tmvuaap.'*- lham
sylvania inul Ui*ri» lua* willj flu* PrumiTar\ t»i ila* 1 I’t-uu \U\ .uua
H(‘rvt‘H tills imth'i* I'rtmi na*. %Xlu‘ has MipjM»r{‘*»l inr irtau Hr, a to la.t alt ho' I
(iinVri'tl with ht*r tm tin* Amorhain S\ .f«in. 1. t'«»iijpo{»‘u{ aial lu' hrluita
with iiiui n ju'out wt'iiHil t»t tmnml flmraottn* ; U t'> tii tUr pi'M|ih- pu-
annuls : hn is wnrml\ attarhntl to ynu ami lu uiy ahmlui f i at sou ; IjaUm: mii
(lucit'tl (Urartl’s' h»r a h»nn tlua* la* is \u*U tu’ttualutril \U5li iiuauri*
nial romuifmhil hiw, la rlmi’t. ula-li v\r rt-ltn*'!, la* Is, lh'Ua>>hauia «lr
Sf‘rvt‘S thn olilrs*, tla* Vary ps'l'-Nsai uht» tstU'hl to In* n.rlnt'lj th l.at iia* la ur iiotu
you. J'l\ruse thjssnruwl I hint* an tiaa* to sopy.
A. .1.
I'haiM l.ot'is
Aor. ,'a*, /ns’.*.
My ai’Au Snt,
'riic I’rn.sidtMil {ippnnrrsl safi.siit*<i ui'for t'nio i*r j.iiloa on isi> jt-tiou \i-w
York to arcpi h“*t*s‘ la tla* prMpi*h*{\ to* r.atla’t' .lf> or p«‘ fpouiu.; fho coa
tnaijtlattMl t’haar.n.s horo aatil tla* ’prim:; tho’ it u;r. oh\ iou. ho u.ti uof aiuo
j.S*(la*r happy or at oa-^<* la tla* uu'ottiosl stain hla ailtssl: atsU thr ui.ntoi* tsaa
hnnli .sjars' aaut* than <saos* rt‘»Mirro<l to.
I lotiad also tiiaf in ai.\ ah..oaoo flio l«l»*ii of nhaaKlus froui tla* N;ny or oilirt*
of A. tlna'l to thoT. ha<l lirnii sia^no’iitol fo him or had pa-' od throujdi hh; i*iiad ;
lait witliouf ri'csdvitu: vv ltli any doftalfo iipproii.ulna. c »a tla* t outlai d ttio inf'
lat'l’ i‘\jM'dit*at had a«»t hma viov.od r. tth aii;. t,u<Hir and rf'rrii,» d fill lo , :
aflt'!* what la* ]a*ar<! from aa*. | tlid as»t fon| ati?hot'l'a*d ufior %**ur iiilaaofina
Its aa% t*» san.'S* 4 tla* \ low ,\*»u h.al p.iru;!n> modUatod, aJu! a ', ho dhl hiia
natoj’fatii any di.stlaol hh a, I aia> pf'ih.ip t ha\o hooa h* 'i lurdiuod to do so
frtim fonshlorat ions <tf uhlnh .smt an* fall.v auars*. M> aialu iada« rmoat. ho\v
ftii* .s|h*iit’i* Wioi ytmr lujuhotlou and what I uad«*r*f*»nd itoia tho Prod
tlnid li> he hhi doiormiaaf h»a atjt to ha-lmU* Xt*w York la his an ato tauouts
aalf’S from a t*l<-ar Uooo and his wi .h to look ts» PorusA ii that woio pr^o
tioiihh*, ia hoth uhh’h ho naaillonod fo aa* lit* laal (’s»at’Uri»'as o la a lotfis*
hat nn'out ly rs*ooivt‘«h
! ( Is pri*l’oronoi‘ for Pnaaa. wasd«*nh!»*4 *loflui»‘d <»a maa> an ouaf s ui:d aiiman
tdhor.s that la* holiovofi la* o«mh! na*roliy Ja‘»r»‘ otfoi'fuall\ ;:rufif.v ItP ^iru^ iisai
wislu'S Isiuanls >«»ur.soIl’. It r ooiaad aa»roovor that \>y r.olao lo Pima. la* v^oidd
HVtiltl tho fiiadlot Ian prs’taushsUa t>f ids irloutl*. la tla* y.outh ami asnio roiidily
I’fi’iUa*! h* kNas.^th f«> a loanor (’«»atlauaaro la tla* Souah* whm'o hi* ludln^oi it
lmi»ortaut to n*tain him.
Ih* holhni*d also that la roTjsiniat’ta’i* of thi* oppo.slthui i»r Hi»aa* of his rardlaal
points tif adiaitdslratloa to (la* puHoy id' Puna, past find to i*i»ait*, la* tahdit lutjrt*
tdlVotually pn-.sts'vi* his ratan* wnlntd !a (la* party mad la tho support of Ids
adadalstratlou hy mnklim tla* stdis’llnn fnua that stato; and ho jihio f.df that
MS. V, p. lUu.
AXTT()BTOGrvAI>Tr.Y iW MAIITIN- VA^ BUllKN.
597
ilu^ (‘sirly and stiMidrust, supnorl 1dm by that stall' I'spi'clally in tlm last;
slni^^Ii' and in di'danca oT tlu' volo ♦!<:(*, «S:f jLjavt' hi'r rlaims upon Ids Knililiido,
and that, hi* shoidil IVi*! bnllar sallslh'd in yialdinv’: to thi'in U’ a proi)i*r man
<‘ould hi* round within hor limits. I oonfoss that lliosr viows mot. my conrur-
ronco othor things hoin^;* oiiual, and Ihi'i'i* hoina’ no suportor ohstacli*.
Loidviniii: to Bonna. Ihdlas, Wilkins, r>ui‘hanan,‘ and \\'ni. .!, 1 >uani* sovorally
jiassi'd in roviow and to oach of lln* throi* foiMnor hi* had what appoarod lo hi*
insuporahlo ohjoations, holh porsonal and ])olitica! whloh It Is prosnmod you
will roadily and fully (‘ompri*h(‘Ud. Win. J. !>uani* is a warm and adivi*
friond of yours, was tunon;^ tlu* oarllost to ospotiso your raitso, and has boon
sincoro and t'lliclfiit. in his ondt'avours to divort tin* oh’ct.oral voli* of ih‘nn. to
your support. Hi* Is and has boon an oarly unirorm frlond, poi'sonnl and polili-
oal, of (hi* I\ and from Ids youlU a uniform and popidar nn*nihi*r of tin* old
<l(*moi*rafy In opimsillou to all 11 s onondos. Ills ijurlty and iu(op:rl(y id’ ohar-
iich'i* Is wit hold roproaoli, and his dovolion and tldollty nilLcld. hi* rollod upon In
any and ovory I’risis. His onpaoily, odnoaiion, huslnoss habits and llnanolal
knowhslgi* an* said to ho uiupiostionahlo and that ho hud for yi*ars hofori* Rlr,
<Urar(rs doath inanaL':od his llanUhij^ I'onoi'rns and huslnoss jjjonorally. MMu*
rri*Hldont ndvorlod ton Ki***al varloiy ofothor (’onsidorallons whioh had woljjclit.
with him, and tho lUdy o])Jootlon wliioh ! could onnoidvo lo the soloolion was
the possihillty of its Inlorforonoo with nnalluv p/ini, whioh however I did not:
fool at llhi'iiy to stiCT'sl, and a ilouhl that ho was nut sullloionlly ]>romlnont.
as a puhlli* man whioh I did suaaost. It was ovidont, however, tiiat (ho Bri'sl-
(lont.’s ndiul bail taken a dooldoil bent and I'von settled down In his favmtr;
ho said ho would write to you, if lu* wore at liberty to express iny eoneurreuee.
d’o (his I assented and iiromised to write myself, wldeh 1 now do. lie desired
me lo write lo l>uune; hut I determined on relleellon not to ilt» so; hut, In*arlnK
tld.s afternoon that Duane Is In (own I have written to the President, not hi'In^
able to K‘‘t <ait of my otllee, reiinestlnr; him If .Mr, Duam* should eall on him nol,
to mention the snlijeoi nnlll I ean .sei‘ him. On my way home I shall I'all, and
ask Mmt. nothhiLC detinltive will he done until he hear.s fi*om you. .'Vfler that.
int(*r\iew i will write you ay.aln, If I am hi (line for the mall. 1 am, hoih on
ju'rHoiinl and poilflral jLrround.s, so thoroipddy satlslled of the propriety of this
soloellon that I should ellmdi It at onoo and Irrovooahly hut for an aiipri'honsloii
that It may eri'ulo some disuppoinlinonl In your ({uartor. I hope ymi uei*d no
assuranee of my delenuhmtlon to promoto .Mr. P.uth'r^* |o anythlUKl tho’ I eon-
•fess that the means you hinted to me would la* ^.uill ami wormwood; and, T
frankly tel) you, j'oh me of almost every hiduemiient. to I'onthuie In jaihlle
life; 11 would roh me of uU hut lla* dllUeulty of makliifi: Immedlnle provlshm
•fora InrKt*aud lielpless family. If Ihut indueeiuent could la* removed my course,
in the 1 ‘veut. referred to Would he plain; Imt t la*a you to undersland would
not; alienate me in fact or in foelliu? from the Ih’esident and yourself, toward.s
whom I feel that I am Ineapahle of liidllTereuei* or luKratltudo. If JMr. I*, enuld
la* jilueed In the ^P. I should he fully satlslled; or if Mr, 'lV‘ could j^o uliroad and
thus aef'oinpllsh your own view, T slaadd he even heller satlslled. llou'cver,
tiiis and one other act of paf^omu^c* lias kIvou me rnore solh'ltude than f am
williiiK now (o 1 ‘xpress, and more than uU tin* honors of (’ahinet. place will evm*
repay.
I heih've 1 have now kIvcii you a full vh‘W of the whole fj;ro\iiHl as far ns I
understsind it, and which tlu* P. said lie did not doubt would he sallsfaetory
to ynxi.
^ (h'oi’Ko M. PalhiH, Wlllltim Wllklna, uail Budmiuia.
^ lamjiuuiu F. iiutlor.
»Hogor B, Ttiuay,
598
AMKKirAN nis‘rt»rai‘Ai. A>>t»i i.vriM\,
I nimlit tM ndii Ihni t»o inuut'dia{»‘ i . . juA rhai tluTi r.in*
thr i*!iniaa‘ A' cvnits still naualus.
I .ua, iu> liiMf Sir
\ »‘i‘\ J;uUinjU>
I..
Ih)n. M. Van r.ruKN
*' 'I’n I hi: i*ui sHU n r.
tsj\
My 1>kak Sik,
I ytiur Ii*U<*r jif tin* liinruriit hnivlit;.: \ hi K aial lm\** Ihls
luoruhut t’nviUH'tl ultli a \cry 'rij.ihU^ uial tUspa’slt’taift!* t«iH* fn»iu utir
rrifiul Mfl.aiu* upnn ila* sanir sultjrai, as I mu M*r> lava \%Hli ta> frU'ial , >«m
iimsl allnw m«* ti» ;nisut*r huih hy iIiIn. I lai\«' tiiU.^ roii >Mm- uy/.r laui
In n'r:ar<i (<> Mr. Imimih*. and tl»» mn h«*Niiatt' fn '.a> tluif fta* iihmmu**
has auu't’ atlv antaia’S, aiul is irian* innu t»hl«'rtunis tliau .in% ulU* h I h;n«* lu*i'u
abh* le> hit Ulmii. His h)«’a!i<»n and tirrs(»uul and pnlltn-al idiarindrr nv»* in'a
clsidy t'Vrry lliinst ut» rnidd wish, and tin* ab'»au’«‘ i»i‘ that s'Sd <«r imnaais
jadnriidy a^i a publtr nnut whit’h Is y.i'nrrully mn .hhnsst hub au nsabh'. and
whit’ll is raj (d'ti’U lUi* r«* uU td a»’»'ldt'nt, u-. 1 think, nunu iluut niadr uh b> ihu
t’nn.sitlfratinii ytai Mun t*si, 'sdtu! ft> ilu* f«»r a;s‘ni
d'ht* (>nl.\ {mint almut if uhiuh i*» tud mj ft* in»*, Itis-aii t’ i ha\r hat! nt>
ublutrlnidly ba' JutUdnr., Is, tUu hUf.tiun dt fajtafUy. Wv. Abdraiu* aiat >tiur
snir ha\t» liinl t>}»j)(irltnd(ifs an«l aru nn{ in thuKS'r n*al.Hi.: a nnsiaku ntf'n
lhaf jiiilnf. f hud llnanthf td .urs-din:: thn nrMja'h‘f> t»r Inin, dm: Mr. JUdltn”
iidtt thi‘ tidifn uT Afi‘'rni*> tb-mnal it -Mr. 'runr\ t’Mulil b^ jnstudni lity ut a
inannur nun'r ju’ts*jit abln (n him idi’, but i»n ni\ isdurn tt» thi . jdata*, t tint! fluit,
induuiH'tsl by Ibnl, n»’\fr falUna. Ni*nsu ubh b hr«‘ps Mr, Padhu* irtnu b»*ifn:
h‘tl astray by flu* iiarfialiity ttl Ids irhsal j <»r »»f flu* ptddh', hi* ins-fris («» rmudn
whurn hu Is, at ihn lasul td‘ ids : .i»ni. uiul nnuhhdhut a snUalth* hn«\i’thin
for his randl>. i Ihiuh 1 wntihl lad hd thr niatt*’r »»*nir tad In atlMdua*.
Don't lorduf l<» .sarul lor i*t»rs\th aiuJ |ni| hhii at hi** i-n'o, I thank >oii jf(*r >onr
aifnrd.lon to niy I’rjonil d‘hrt»oti. Jntb:o Maroy ulll aitoial t<t wimf >ou
Urimanbor na* allVotiotmlrly to all Ua* inouibors of >uur faudly. I shus-ndy
latjio Mrs, D. has rot’iuortMh Show this to Air, .Midaiius
ir I ilo not say ;tii,Dluin* ahoid fbo signal irHniihh I ha\i', fhrtdudi ><»nr in
si rnnuMdaiity ami iho kimlni*\. of in,\ nnintrvmm. obtulnmi toor tn> ria tuiur*,
Nt»n must md suptio ^i* tlud I thud* fin* loss uf H. Thv niall is rh* aiu: and I
mil;. I di» thi* likr.
Vi*r> lntl> y I airs,
M. \ A% l\\ nt N.
I‘. S, I Im I iwonitn'' rotisullml in rtmihitm t n!> frionds Miiis’>, \Vi U:hl,
h’la^U':, Dr<»sut'll ami Ihiflor and nii*> oom’nr tally. It j« md a bfth* *in,ndai'
that this namo : Inaihl Inuo fluslmd tibon ,\4}nr mind, a* H did ntion ndm*, >ttu
svllt ns’tdltsd, in tnir walk uimn tlm d'rrnua*, bn* tho jdaro hr now holds.
Mr. MrLanrs wi.shus wviv gnililitMl mt all [huuIs. Mr. Idvinodtui
was rrmrntnl fiut of his way hy tlir Mis; ion to I’h'uurr, hitusolf
prouudml (o tlu* ollird eif Si‘rr(‘lary of Stutn, his frirtul, nuatm. was
ni)}>t»iiiU‘tl Srrndary of thi^ 'Ihvnsury, and 'Wtanlldiry ainl tho unulrsf
and inp’iiuous 'runny whtc siiUVrrtl (<» nunuin winna* thry sfouti.
I w’ill not- say ihn claims to promotion of t!m t.wn latter wen* Air
*' MS. V, p. mr,.
iVUTOBlOdllAPlIV OK MABTIN VAN HUUKN.
509
rifuHMl (<) Mr. M(’Liuu''s projudiKos Tor ihni. \V(»uUl j)erh5ij)s bo an
oxprossioii ioo siroiio- fop th(‘ oooasioii, ami I'lillior an awkward onn
for \iw to 1 ‘iuploy as 1 was inadi* a pju’ty to what wjis done,
A word or Iwo here in I'xplaiiatioii of llu^ allusions in (ho post-
script of luy lotlcr,
rcj{H*lion in (he Senate of (lu^ nomination of Sb^plum Siin[)son
as one. of the. Commissioners under the Kreiu’h ''rreaty was, if iiot.
(he first, amon^ tlu‘ lirsi inst.aiu’es of similar ])ro(a»edin*i;s. It. lav-
(‘Urred a(; a moment wlien (he Prc^sidenl-ls mind was o’real ly distiiibed
by otlu'r causes and before, he. had betM)me aetaistonual to the. ex(‘r<‘iso
of Senatorial stipervisiou in the w.ay in which it was on that o(‘easion
i‘X(U’((‘d. Vt‘( iHMV in (lu'. disc’haroH^ of Ids i^\(u‘u(:iv('. diites, llu' action
of th('. Senai(‘, withoul e.n(|uirin< 2 : as to tlu'. /^roinuls upon which (he
nomination had Inum nuuk'. oi* assio-nnumi. of any reasons for its
reJia‘(ion, siamaal io him d(‘si^m‘dly dis!*(\sp('(*( fill. Looking upon
it as an attempt on (h(‘. pari, of the Stmatev lo (h‘l(U‘ him from ihi' \)rv-
^orma^(‘(^ of Ids duti(‘s b}' niaking him l‘(‘el t!u‘ extent of its powtu’s,
lu* (lelrn’inimal at- ilu^ inslant, to nmomiiiale Simpson, and to send
(o (hat body tlu* r(‘eomnu‘ndat ions upon whi(di la^ had si>1(M'1(m 1 him
with a. respectful nMjU(‘s(. to be inforuuMl of llu‘. nature of its ob-
jections. 1 arri\'('d at tlu^ ICxi'cnt i\'(^ Mansion a few monamts after
(h(‘ SeciH'tary of the Simate liad lid’t. him and fotiml him in (1 h‘ Kast.
Room, in whii’h there, wriv also at the moment several other persons,
whom curiosity had drawn (o inspia't an apartnumt which had ac-
(juiriMl nmcli notorit'ty dui’in^ the Ih'i'siihml ial (ainvass, and in whose)
pn‘:u‘m‘e. he. spoke of (lu* t ransni'tJon with his usual uni'eservi* and
will) more than usual (‘xeitmnent. Anxious jo In* r(di<na‘<l from l!i{‘ir
pn*s(au‘e I raisial a window openinf*; upon the (erriuH* and propostal
a stroll to whi(‘h lu* asst*nted, Ilowt'vt'r (‘.xeiisahhv lu*. mi/jcht lu*. in
h(*lie\in^ iliat a majority of tlu^ S(*na((‘ wc're. mort'- iidlu(*m'(‘d liy
their ho.Pdity to liim in the art he complained of than by a sen.st^
of jiuhlic duty lie was wrong in assuming that. tlu'V had goiu* la*.'
yoml the. n'gular (‘Xei’eisi* of t!u*ir const itut ional functions or (hat
lu* would he justUiabh* in putting to tliem tlie iut.(*rrogatory he pro-
po.s(*d, and i)(*reeiving tliul lu* was in dang(*r of (*xposiiig (o liis
oppoiuMits what a largi* portion of (he. pubTu! a, ml not. a ft*w of
his friends <*onet‘ived to lu* his weak(‘St. side, 1 exeiietl mysi'.If to llu*.
utmost to div(*r(. him from his [uirpost*.
My long stu’viet* in tlu* St*uul(» (‘ual)lc*d uu*' to bring (o his notie<*
se\i‘ral easi‘s in wliit‘li jiartisan majoi*itii*s had pursu(‘d a (umrsi*.
t‘qually t‘xcept ionable during tin*, administration of some, td’ his
[)rcdec(*.sso]\s without. b<‘ing noticed in tlu* way lu* pro()os(‘d by any
of them, save* p(‘rhaps, on oru* oe(*asion by Mr. Adams, on whieb
he Idmself was one of the oirmuling Senators, Our walk eommiuu’i'd
(>()()
A iM 1'^ 1 1 1 1 ‘A N III S'r< ) K I < ‘A h ASS n ( • I A l'l n X .
in a fit'rnoon aiul coiii iuiu’d till it ^va> dark withiait intt'rrupt inn,
althoii^’h 1 saAv ^ontkMiuai apprnai’hiui^' u. * wlm \\v\\* tnrnnl Inirk
by I'bi^ iiianiiVst. i^ariu‘s(iu‘ss ot nur rniiv rr.-aruui. Hr lisiriirtl tu
lun wilii iinilbiaii iH'sptu't and iiululnviirr but, l<»r a InUi*; tlinr, ^\il!nn{(,
tlin sli<j;'h(t*s(. iiidiraiion nf a \viUin,‘nir,;s tti tdiarutv hi pui'ptJNr and
I liavc nni- forn’otli'n liis rnrriry and rmpha i - at niir nmnuuit whrn.
anasstinr; his slaps arul turnin;L!,' Inwani.-. tna lu* sai<! " 1 trll ytun Mr.
\h‘Ui Hunuu wo shall iu'\a'r havt* poa<a* with thr^r nnai until thry an*
nuido (o undiu’stand tin* rharao(t*r nf Aminev .larkNun lirttia* tlmn
llu'v now' dn.'^ I sun‘J^t*s(i*d (ht* nanu‘- ol .rvrral indi\iduali as
])i’oi)(*r to l)i' siad- in bill without tdlVat, until a rhau»*r allusinu ir*nm
him to th{‘. tMirly stru<mh‘s of thr old Ivopuldiran paiiy, whil t lu'
was a Mouib(‘r <)f ( \)nixt‘rss, brouirhl siuldmly to my mind tho fa\our‘'
able opinion hr laid ofton ir\pn*ssril to mo of tla* roudui't, at fhat-
pt'rioih of tho (lion rotloiibtaldo oonduftor (d' tlir " Aurora " WAlliam
Duano, and tlu' disposition o\iiiord by thr (irnrral to brfrirnd him
wlumovi'r a. siiitahli* opportunity iniKht oflVi’. I wa : md prr iUially
ai’qiiainital with his son, \\'iHiam J. Unano. bnt know mmiiyh of
his oharaoti*r ami sfandin,i»* in hi*; pn»fo’sinn to fori ronvinrrd tliat.
Ids appointmrnt waitild hi* a ptjml unr, and propn rd hi namr with
a n*f(‘rono(* to what- had pa- soil hot worn us in rrinird to thr fathm\
"Phr favonrahlo imprrsmm nauh* hy thr uma* linn wii at oir'r
appariait. d1irrt‘ :aM‘nuHl tt^ br omrthiiuf in fhr idisi of .mdiiur
to thr frdrralisia in (ho Simafr thr iiaum nf n von of William Uuam'
whi(‘h divrvfoil his art|nirvriirr in thi» rrjrrtitm of Simp. on of r\rr\
appiairanro of yioldintc to thrii* iMOstility and, in thr srquid rroniMuh’d
him to llir ahanilonniruf of a do ion to uluoh ho had brforr niai*
wdnif piu’t inaoioiojy olnnir. Arofjrdiiudy hr invitrd nir into hi , tttlirr
ainl prrpaml a now nomination to that rffrrt whirh w“a ; midirmrd
I)y tho Sonat4*, I spoko of this ufFalr moro than on**r (o Mr. M»dainr
as f (lid fro(|uontly in othmvv. Wlauhor it fnrni hod a cuir to ihr
fonmu’ in tlu' I’on nltat ions proordin^jc th«‘ appointmonf of Dnaut'
to tho '’rrtaisury I am not, of ootnxtx ahio to say.
To ndiirn froin (hi; diLU’osstou at tlir poriod nt whii'h ua* hnvo
now arri\od tla^ msvt of tla^ iicrtsat nioavtiros (jf Prr idriit dark oiP.;
udminisi rat ioiu for soiia* tina* mrdihttod, was brontdit to it I’nU'
snmmntiom I alludo to that familiarly kmnvn as tia* lumiovid of
tlu‘ l>(*po it.sd’ Mr. M(d/aiu* hud thrown Id = oHi< ial sldtdd around
tho Ihuik in his llrst annua! n*porl upon tla* linanor . Of that dom
numt. lio. tlms wroti* t(> mo at lamdoiu in his hdtor tho lUh of !>««
rombor, :
Vftu will luU aiaa'iwr of this rt'iHjrl ninsf lirnlmlUy auh-v’, ^nu oius »• var
lalial, ikjI uf ytair drinurrury, bal rf y»iar narl> ort*|udiri' if \tni fal*- il no
.MS. V, r. 2aa.
AUT()151()(!1:A1>1I V OK MAltTlN VAN KUKKN.
601
In llic spirit oi' a iialrint .von wili lii('ss nu' fiir it. I rcri ns yon inuy siiiipnst'
jirnat sdiiniliKic lull nni mil willioul; cimiliU-nci' in simci'ss
Anti in Unit of thn UJtli,:
I siMid, by (his DppoiM unily, addrt'sst'd to you, u I’l-w cM^pb's of (lu‘ {mnuni ri‘-
port (’in* suiuu of luy I’rh'uds in Knj^lnnd, whirh, IT U Is not jundinsl your oon~
srii‘nc(*, I will thank ytai ((» (’nus<‘ (o b(‘ rntwvnnh'd.
Mr. MrLuun ncvor ac‘tr(l af>:aiust tin* priuciplrs by wliirh hr kurw
Pri'siiltiii tJackson inlrndril to bo jjruidod in Uir iidininistiation of tlu*.
(h)vrrninent wiUiont b(Mn<i: stmsiblr of the iniiii it would gi\'r nu‘, Imi.
ho tnistod to iny puriiulity for liim and niy <i:ood tcuniau’, and und(‘r-
slood Ids ground woll. Ho know that in this oaso his (auirsi* was
a/:!:ainst tho oarnost dosiros of t-lio Prv.sidont, and, as in tdl his undor-
(akin^s of Unit olnirachu’, ho fa ik'd -“tho ooiiiitry dooidin/j!: tlunu all
apiinst him. Ho ro.nuiinod novortholoss a ]>roininoni numibor of Uio
adminisi liiiion tho' a nnirkod inonumont of tlu'. forboaraiioo of ils
sup])ortors, aml,stran^o ns it nni}’’ soomju'. lost no f*:r(mnd in tho iior-
sonal n'<i:ards of Uu*'. Pnsithuit or niysol f, towards whom ho assnri's
ino in o!U‘. of tho iin'cinlino' lidtm’s, whon advooalin^* Uu». appoinhniMit
of i)inuH‘, Unii ho. folt hiinsoir iiH»a[)ahl(‘ of indiUVnmoi*. or iu^'rati™
tiidod'
Mxporimioi* howoviu* soonual (o liuvo oxm'lial no inflmuua'. upon his
disposition to nuMidIo in Un^ disturbin/^ <jiu*slions Unit. rohUod to tho
Ihink. "riu’*. romoval of Uu' di‘posi(s f>:av(^ riso to thc^ soiarnd gnait
sti*un:<j:lo. on tlu' i)art of (ho. (iovinmnumt to oonflno thaf instil.ntion (o
ils ri^'his and du(i('s. In jmint of o!lit‘ionoy tho inovmuont whioh
pi’(M’od(*d anti raiistal ( ha (. sl.n i^rji^lo was nol a joi. bt'hind (ho veto. In-
ttdlitL!;on(. and stmsihh'. ol)sorvt‘rs of Uu^ protLi:rt*ss of (‘vmits not iinij)*
proprhittdy oompaiMal i(. to (itmoral tIa(‘kson\s uijLcht aUatfc upon th(^
muiuy's lin(\s on Uio. ^ihUi of I >(‘0(‘mho]\ prtdirninnry lo Uh^ of
Uu' Sth of flanuary l)id‘ort‘ Now Orhains. I'ln* jusUoi'. of tUal. ojiinion
and tho pr^inoiplos upon whioh (ha(. important moasuro rost.od will
prostmtly oonsidtuHnl. Mr. MoLano was oarly in tlu‘. hold and, as ht^,-
fort', on Uu' sith' of Uh‘ Hank, Tho Pn^sidtml., as will ht^ somi by onoi
of his lot tors, informoil ini'- in advanoo Um( ho. would th'siri'. t.o oonsnlt
wiUi m(% on our Kasttuii trip, in ro^ijard (o (his im|)()r(.ant tpu^stion
and ]>roup:ld- with lum somt* rou)L!:h no((*s of Uu' aru-umoids in favour
of Uu‘, moasun^ whioh was linally iiu'orpornitMl in tho liapt'r road by
him tt) his Haliinot on Uu‘ iSth of Septombor.*' ''riioso ho dolivcrod to
mo on Ills arrival at Nt‘W York and Mr. Kondall, tho s}H‘t‘ial a^tmt of
(ho d'lvasury, smil nu' a full slattmumt <d* what was dosirtHl ami of
what had btam, ami oouhl, as lu‘ thought, bo. tlouo with tho Stalls
‘ \‘an PitjiMt P{ipi*rft.
3 Mr. niuir apt-iU.M of thl?i papor nit having barn conHt ructad at lhc‘ lllp IlapH niul aftri*
Wilt'll*. aiihinUd'il 111 (to* ri*vif 4 '.it of Mr, 'Oatioy. 'I’JiIh Ih tloiibllfHH rtKbt hiu tlu* loUcn
roti-rrt'tl tu here were ucVcrtUcleuti uaed at tliu Ulp Uupa.
cm
AMi-:int 'AN n is'i’or.irAti M'lnx'.
Hunks tn promotr tlii' olijtu't in vif\N . MrLaiH* armnijjannMl th,* Vvx><
ns r.'U’ as .\(‘\\ York from ulti<’li }»larr hi* rrt ni iirjl \\"a hinir
tcni iniivinj^ in (lu* hainls t>r Majtu* Hnui'l i>u tin* fnllnuini’ ItuitT I’tip
uu* :
■hiHf )!h, /
My In; a It Siu,
ynii finally of (in» (in»‘'aiHn I \<»u f,* jimU .i(
ttMilivoly tin* papt’r I pr<*i‘ari'd lui* tin* tn riiUoitt in uhi«!t I tiaM‘ (unfU
raUlit'ulIy tn trann iho ojinais oi tin* pri»|"‘ »‘'t '‘tian.a' nnil«‘r iU«‘ «*ii »
on tin* pul»li<* .si*rvir<* ami npnn tin* (’onnirv. JmuI Uiiou . I ut> n,i Hm’
prnsi*iit r.anlv ami m> opinmn?; art* iju* r«' .uJ? tti m\ Imur j i «m\ n r i*»n-i »»i rr.Uit
ami prnprh‘l.v, Sinuothim’:, timloiihioillj , r. »hn* Ut i Im SiM ir!ar\ ulut U.ajht
m»t lu* (h*ivi*u tn tin* .‘ Inp at Ii*n -I Imfnro tin* S«“mih* Ian** a‘ {t «l upon hi e OMuana
t Inn. '‘i'lu'rt'tnrn if aii.\thhiu lu* liftm* Inf i{ iir p»» fpojaul 't itj fha St- '^inn .-ual {at
tin* Pn’.shlt'iil i'Htnrnn his vit^ws in u Mrs^apn.
Vmiu'', falthutUv,
1., M'l,.
'ritt^ /j:rniintls upon whirli tin* mn;i lirn uii to 1.0 pl;i.'f*,i unfV all
pnn.si(|(‘n‘tl ami tlira'U.M'il hrtunnn thn Hr.* itlrnl ami mt flf on ntir
journoy and Mr. Ktunhiir plan rnvi. mi a;, far a thr iiiiormutmu in
our pnss(*s.‘‘;i{)n aIlo\\‘t*il. Snrrntann ('a* and \\taalinu‘\ ;u*i’oiup.uu<*il
UA and wi*r(* nnuln auun* n{ s*. hat ua . ynunp, t»n inil Ui*ir not r;ilh«d
upon (o rouunit (Imin nl\ t*;. to t hr ;ipjjro\ al of it . Mv n%\\\ ruur r in
n*spm*( to {his unitlri* w a a^ n atal, math* tin* tiltjisU nf mi rrprn
.st'idalion. 1 liavr l»ro}ip;ht to».rtht‘r thn rntirn oorir ptuidrurr hr
tw(n*u tht» Ih'tvmlrnt ami m\ nlf mlatiiu^ ttj it whn h i . nhuuttml
without romnumt. K\rry fnrlinr I mitmlainmi ahout it i . (hturin
<*omprt*.sM*d» If 1 ran lay my hand tipon it* ulurh \ nut thr ra o
at this imuurnt* ! will uthl a r<irr«*l»ut'at i\ r :f;itrmrn( i'tit to im* hv
(hr I rr^-uli'ut wliil t I ^ a ramhiiatr ft*r uihrt* autl \\;i a aih*ti in
r(‘»:ard to thi. matlt‘r h\ pr.'judirrd prr »>im ipmnaiu of thr farf ,
( )itr kaistrrn ttnir \\a . udtli‘nl\ rnt .' htni at ( omainh I lamp
shirr by tlu» sr\ri't* iiitli* pu nt ion of flir Pi rMtimt* and \*tv inadr urn*
appraraurr lH*forr tin* Srrn'taiir . of Statr ami Irraaun. MrLanr
uml I)uaiu\ at Wushinptcnn qnitr imrxprrtrdly.
ddir Prrsidtmt had in tin* i*om'M* fjf rnir juurnrv appri rtl thr lat
ivv of his tifi‘m*ral jmrpti r ami as tmn a ■ hr rrmnn-rd til!irn*ntly
from hisuttark, whirh was u \rry srvriv onr anti hir foi t) ripht htnirs
.sfrmt‘ti (o (hrratrn his lift*, lu* -rnt for Mr. Huanr {,, rntrr uith him
iipi)n tin* rt)nsitlt*rntion of tlm final instrurfiou- to hr i/nm to Mr.
Krndall. On our wav frtnu (hr Pn* idi*!i(Y lu*.! room tu thr Urau
inyi: nmm wr mr( thr Srrrrtary anti w«*rr l.trth frurk wiiU hm ff^rhh*
and rmariatril apjamranmn whirln as wr hud imt hrard of hi hrin^^
ill wr, at oner attrihulml !«) tli.Mrt* s of mimt t*uu t‘d by tilinat*lr , to
UH unkimwn, intrrposrtl to (be prrformamv tif hi' dutir, uptm thr
suhjrct iiiultM' rousidrration. I wrll ivmrmbt*r tin* kintl mannrr with
AUTOBIOOKAPIIY OK MAIITIN VAN BUUKN.
()0;^
^vlli(’h tlu‘ Pn'suli'iil (ook both liis hiuids in his own und yvnily
snoldin^’ him for comino* out in his actual state oT lu‘alth, mlviscal
him to return to his house and iu*itlu'r to thiidi mon* of (he dt'posils
nor (o (‘oine to him a<i:ain until he was perb'ctly well. Mr. Duane
^iadly availed himseir of this advice and rnriher action upon (his
snhjtH‘t was postpoiuMl for sonu* days, d’he im'idtmis that followi'd
Mr. l)nau(‘'s agreement/’ to do wind the Presidtmt d(‘sir(Ml or to
resi^-n; liis n'fusal, on the nduru of the latter from (lu* Iii[» Ihips,
to do (‘ither; his removal; ttie a])poiu( lueni. of iMr. Taney in his
place and t.lie order dinndino' future receii)(s of the public moneys
to hi*, phu’ed in tin* seleeti'd Stati*. Banks aiv elsievhere and in vari-
ous ways referred tod
It lias been stated that, wlien the President, interposed his rcta to
the Ihink he. found himself in that, ^i-eat Aid., which lainuot fail to
be lon^ and ^laiiefully reiuemhiuvd by the American lu'ople, opposinl
by his Secretaries of State, Treasury and Whir, lavincfsion,
McLam*. and (\ass. 'rhest* ^(‘utlenum avowial Ihi'ir disappro\ai of
the Pri'sidimths coni’si*. and stood aloof from his proc(‘(‘dinu's. 1 b‘
W(*nt. (hrou/i:h with them with tlu' aiil of olli(‘i*rs oi'cnpyin^* inferior
positions in Ids Dabinet-, and (d)(ained a (l(‘cisive triumph in the idee.-
tion that, took phu’c in the (*ourse of a fi'w months. Wdien he. sniier-
seded tlu* Hardc as a ilepository of public monies hi* was a|^ain ojiposed
by (he Secretaries of Stale, 'rrea.snry and Whir. h'hi*. aidion of the.
Secretary of the Treasury hein/i; indispensahiy nei'essary to the exe*
ent i<m of his delmaninat ton, that, n'fraetory ollicin* was removed
whilst Messrs. Mt’Lane ami Cass remaim*d nminalilied in their oppo
sit ion to tlie removal of the di*posi(s and the former, as ladoi’e, open
and aetive. I'hese p;entleini‘n wm*e not indeed, (’onid not have been
insensible, to the. feelinp*. to wliieh theii* position ”*ave. rise, or nn-
mindfn! of their diilii'S in respiad. to (hem. On the morninf*; suc'
eiastin/j: the dismissal n{ Mr. Dnane, and (he. appointment, of Mr.
Taney, viz: on the ifKli Septembm*, and ap;ain on the. fol-
lowing mo!'nin/jf, Messrs, McLane and (hiss eulhal on i.hc TT’i^sidimt
and held with him (he- (’otivm’sations detailed immediately after lhe,y
left him in the.se admirable li*(ters:
Kuo.m Tim I’UK.siauNr.
Srptv}nb('r ?JiUu
.Mv DMA It Sin,
I (UU nut intiaul l«i have wiitlcn a;j:{un su Sinm. lun (UIh inornlnK t was
\valn*U apnri by .Mr. hniils .MrLaiie and i}n\. ( ‘ass, amh in a rrlcially nianm*r, IIk'.v
I nl ruUu<*t‘(| the dellcaey «d’ tlndr Httuathai that tin* quest Imi luaih* ladnra iho
'• MS. V, i>. ’.HKj.
‘ An uatMj-.nipU thnfi of Van Bin'«-ir»< of .Im’UHou'a lu <llsaniMMtna laauit'
lual till* t'»ain*vnt of tho tlrpiirUej ia lu tlu' Van Hunni Cuih*i'.m umltT dnti* la I'Vh,, IH.'M.
604
AMKUK’AN n IS'roiaiWh ASStM'I.VrinN,
would 1 h‘ u party (pH'sHtJU that they as utdl as m\sr!{' umuUI 1u«
HHsailod — tlu\v Tor ivumininj^ lu luy (‘aPiurt wIhmi it \\\il (u* Punuu that (ij,*y
W(‘re ()]) 1 h>S(mI (o tin* Uit'asurt*, Ar. Ao. to all whirh I aiisurifil, Liiull\ nial
llrnily, that ! fouhl nut soo la>\v tladr I’isdiiuts ur dolii'ai’v I'nijlil l<r luvtiUiul;
tlu' Iruiii {'onid bo told, that Mr. MoLauo had ;av»-!i uir hi-, ndl i‘piuinu ,,ii iho
HUb.b'cl with rranUnoss that htMiial in> stdf ha«i dltVorod in «»pUiH‘u iliat I hail
talvoii all ri‘s|)()n.sibinty uiiou mysidf’ Ihul I wishod tu» suppuri tr*ai,
wlu^ii tiudr prhiclph'S and opiidims won* lud in aoiaird : whi-tlu-r this '-aiisiliHl
Uuwu I <‘aa not, say; I hopo it ha.s and If Nitrid> iuunI unirss rh»\^ boii«*\o that
wluui it bcconus a party (pa'stion thoy nnisf. lur pritiriplo iuui opiuinu:.' ^ala*.
tako. optMi {ground with llu* oppusitiou for I hu\o dot'lurod to tluau, traidJy
and truly, Unit all I wntd of tlioiu Is to attond ii» Iho ilutii’s nt thrir lospoitiM*
clt'partuuadH, in the nnimu*r horotnt’ort* dono, ! hupi* ilu-v \\iU naoatn hut if
it. so happiMis that tliry do not tho iiufstion nrlstvs hoiu shall I sririM lui* {jas
Httdo, War and for Attoiaioy (lonoralV ilu^v niir^l lu uU Ln^nru ta iu nifht in
princi])h' and (jtuul and tnia imn. Not ua*u uho tlltlor on tho j'ri’a! Irarlin;'
ni(‘nsur(‘s jind h(di<*vo tliat tht\v havo a rUtht to transaot thr bn am" >: nf ilu*
d(*psn‘lnHad advorstdy to what tin* Kvoontuo lion«*\fs iho ./.find oi tin* i-outitry
and i)rosi)(»rily id’ all rtHiuln*. (Jlvo int* your virus un this suh.liTt b,v (hr
(‘arli(‘sl inonuMd. in yiair pownr. I taicloso this nndrr ro\or t.. Mr. t 'anihrohaur.
iMy idKht-rcvor.s still rontlniir bin tho pros , of busiut* . . lo'op . mr up in
llie day.
In hasto our j ritaul
Astun.u .1 vt {.SON
Mautin Van* IUtukn
I\ S. I liopr for (ho b<‘st but lot wbiil will oonn- tbo sun udi ronrinuo to
rls(‘ ill tbo lOast and std In tbo Wosi autl l trust iu a kiiul Pio\idoiov to ; lUdo
and dirool ino and in ti vtrttaais pooph**H support. j.
W ANHt St /d. r’.i, /.Nj.l
AIy 1>kah Siu,
I bavt‘ this niouK'nl bad an lidorviow with Mr. M.d.ain* and vUfb (iov. (’sins
and I luivo tlu’ jiloasuro to inform you tbiit uo nvv all uinn-d In ..tir iordbd
trliMidsIdp and oonthhan’o wldob on my part was muor impab» d. t havo .suf
favvi] nmro In my IVidiiiKs tii (Ids ytroat nattomd imitior than hi any ta-rhtd of
my (‘Vtadful liri‘. I Innl to stnatj-du with my prhnio itiond Imp oppo .nl (n m\
pnblh* duty but I <*ouhl not .stniKfJh* lou^f, My toM t.,hl mo tb»' na-a tin* uim
rlKbt^ that tbi‘ Morals of tbo Ptstph* and tbo p«*rpriuity of our ropublb-au pov
(‘rnmiaU. rotpdrod M ami, as oxoruoiat Irut as if uas t«i my privafo iriond- hip i
and focilnas. my piibilo duly roipdrod my prompt aotbm. I ptuformotl it ami
M is tlu‘ llrsl pl(‘asun* in my lllV tbut I oan oommunloafo (n you iliat «Mir frionds
IMolauu' and (Jass naimln wla*ro (bi‘y now aro iatniiofdomdy.
Tlu^ sy.sttan will huoooimI woll ami I am U'^surod to du> by ouo bort-toforo
IrliMidly to llu’ think that nino lontbs of iln* pooph* u dl nu taln mo tiud dm
di.s(‘Io.snr(‘.s an* so obnoxious to ail priuolfdos of morality, so inoon 4 font uidi
dio <*ourso o.xpootod from tbo dank, and lor wldob it waa obartrro.l, tbat mi
honest man but imi.st Jusllfy my oourso timards ii ; ubon Its forinor frlouds
spoak thus w(‘ oan liavo no foars of tbo rmuli of pubHo opinion, dot mo boar
from you. Mr. (’anibn*lond says you will bo In Now York by tbo tiiuo tJds oan
reaoh you, I adilrpss it to you th(*ro.
Vour friond
AIautin Van IPuikn,
Vice rretiident.
A.Miunu J At KSON.
AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF MARTIH VAH BUREH.
605
A concerted and formal call by tlie two high officers named and
upon such a mission, immediately after the elevation of Mr. Taney, —
a gentleman shown to have been especially unacceptable to one of
them — ^before he had taken any steps towards carrying out the
President’s policy and at a moment of so great excitement, might
well have been looked upon by a sevei*ely chafed Chief Magistrate as
designed to drive him from the performance of his duty.
What the result of such a suspicion on the part of the General
would have been no one who understood his character can doubt.
Notwithstanding my experience of his general calmness and self pos-
session on trying occasions, I yet claimed some merit for having
ensured the exercise of those inestimable qualities in this instance by
forewarning him of the trial to which his patience and indulgent
spirit might be subjected, as will appear in the extract which follows.
In Sept. 1833, whilst passing a few days with my old friend Gov.
Morgan Lewis, knowing that the proceedings in respect to the Gov-
ernment deposits were about to be brought to a head and always
alive to McLane’s interest, I wrote the President a letter from which
the following is an extx'act and which was in furtherance of what
I had said to him before we parted at Washington — ^lie for the
Eip-Eaps and I for the north :
* * Allow me to say a word to you in regard to our friend McLane.
He and I differ toto coelo about tbe Bank and I regret to find tUat upon almost
all public questions tlie bias of our early feelings is apt to lead us in different
directions. Still, I entertain tlie strongest attachment for him and have been so
long in the habit of interceding in his behalf that I cannot think of giving it np, ■
as long as I have it in my power to serve him and his. From what passed
between us at Washington I think it possible that he may (if Mr. Duane re-
signs) think himself obliged to tender his resignation also, which, if accepted,
would inevitably ruin him. Your friends would be obliged to give him up
politically, and when stript of influence his former federal friends would as-
suredly visit their past mox’tification at his success upon him in the shape of
exultations at his fall. I am quite sure that if he tenders his resignation he
will nevertheless be anxious to remain if he can do so with honor, and if you
should say in reply, that you will accept his resignation if he insists upon it
but that you confide in him, notwithstanding the difference between you upon
this point, and that if he could consistently remain in the administration you
would be gratified, I think he would be induced to withdraw it. 1 could not
advise you to change your course for anybody but it appears to me that you
might go thus far consistently with what is due to all parties. I think I cannot
be mistaken in believing tliat he told me explicitly that he did not know Mr.
Duane’s views in regard to the Deposits when he was selected. When at Wash-
ington I informed you that I had thought of Mr. Taney for the Treasury but
had not made the suggestion in consequence of its not meeting with Mr. Mc-
Laiie’s concurrence. On accidently reading since a letter which he wrote me
upon the subject of Mi\ Duane’s appointment I find it stated that he had not
mentioned my suggestion in regard to Mr. Taney to you in pursuance of my
request that he should not do so until I could ascertain whether Mv. Butler
MS. V, p. 210.
606
AMERICAiS^ HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION.
would take the office of Att’y General, if you should think proper to offer it to
him, which he declined and consequently nothing more was said of the other
idea. Although this had escaped me I presume it must be so. * * * "
The following was my reply to the General’s two letters given
above. The original has been obtained from. Mr. Blair with whom
he left his papers.
New York, Sept. 27t7b, 1S33.
My dear Sm,
Your letter of the 24th was handed me by Mr. Gambreleng at the moment of
stepping into the carriage to visit the Town of Brooklyn upon the invitation of
its trustees, and I embrace the first moment of my return to reply to it. You
haye done all that was required of you in regard to the suggestions of our
friends McLane and Cass. If after that they choose to go, so it must be. Your
course cannot be altered out of mere personal regard to any one. I do not
however believe .that such will be the case, but if it be, I think I ought to come
clown immediately and remain with you until your arrangements are completed,
instead of making the suggestions you desire. I shall hold myself subject to
your wishes.
Your letter of the 25th is this moment received after I had written thus far.
I sincerely rejoice that matters have turned as they have. Our friends will'
soon see what a precipice they have escaped. Public sentiment is unprece-
dentedly strong in your favor. I dined yesterday with a party rising of
100, in King’s county, composed of the Senate of the State, now sitting as a
Court of Errors, and of gentlemen of different politics: After several other
toasts, Dr. Elwus of Fort Hamilton gave the following : — “ The Oracle of
Delplios said make gold thy weapon and thou wilt conquer all. Andrew Jack-
son has said make honesty thy weapon ,” — and I never knew a toast received
with more rapturous applause, long continued and several times revived. As
this is probably the first direct test of the kind, and the company was respec-
table and of different politics, I think it of sufficient importance to mention it
to you.
I think Gov. Woodbury is right in his opinion that the Attorney Geu’l ought
to come from the South. You recollect what passed between us in regard to
our friend Forsyth. He once (long ago) told me he would not think of accept-
ing the appointment of Attorney General, and I do not know what effect the
views he recently expressed upon another subject would have upon him in
regard to this; but I feel so deeply how well he behaved for us all that I can-
not think of suffering a single opportunity to pass without doing all in my
power to serve him. If, for any reason, he should be out of the way I should
like Judge Parker^ right well, if he is a speaking man. You will have time
enough to cause enquiries to be made upon the point. You will recollect also
that I spoke to you of Judge Ruffin,* of North Carolina. You can cause the same
enquiries to be made as to him so that you may finally act with a full view of
the whole mattei*.
There is one point you may depend upon, my dear Sir, and that is that there
is an extreme auxiety on the part of the Democracy of the Country— your stay
and support that you should infuse a little more of their good spirit into
your Cabinet than it now possesses. Recent events have given increased iiiter-
1 September 11, 1S33, in the Jackson Papers; a copy of this extract is in the Van
Biiren Papers.
-Richard Elliott Parker.
•‘Thomas Ruffin.
AUTOBKHUJAPn V OK MAItTlN VAX UntKX.
(UV7
('sl. 1<> thiM and llu' iniprnssitui 1“^ Unit if ii Iniil Ihmmi
otlu'vwisi^ in Unit rnspncl tliiuj's utniitl lia\»* Inu-w oiir pinnuiani frltnid,
Uuani* was {‘It lit*r Iiryoial <»i‘ ludilial fin' nan. I >«) }jt»l l>r in h.'nar ainl do ino tin*
favnnr (o r(‘nuMnlu*r ni(‘ kindly In all your ltou*;oholtl, I hupt* in lu* with ,mui on
tlin «0(h willionl fail.
I ntn vory Irnl.s \«nir -.
.M. \ \s Hrin:?i.
Noth.' Haviniij ocrasion sunn' tlnys siuni* hi writr to Mr, l'‘, IV Ukiir and
Unowinjj: Uu‘ {'losi' Intiinacy that o\iHti*(l ludwoon him utal (tnirrul .hoi, inn
wrii as till' nidlndtt‘d tMndUUaifo ta^posml by lln* laUoi* In Ids iutoarH\ aiul
I rnjhfnlni'ss, I Nn;jri.rnsii*d to liiin tin* propritiy td’ {’oinmunii’afiin:: nu> liaidotirs
or jiassaj^i's In tlnir inh'rooursi* whhii ho ndp.ld think of .•iufhr hMd isiti*r«-.i and
whilst {Mnj:atJ:{Hl In (ho nndsion <d’ thoso i»aa,‘‘s, I roooUi’fi a hitor from him (lit
laui fuililimMU of niy rotpn'sH whloh rolatt's to tlm porind and ovotdH h»na'
d(‘s<‘iilK‘d unit wiilcli I idvo In his own words snppro.sslin: uninn’os’iary tuunoH:
h'UOM I‘\ P. Ul.MU,. liSij.
Sunt: SiTJM^, /.i Vor. /.s’.id
‘K •{« *}« dimri* Is a olmmiNtanoo ronnootod ultU tho I'.anK panto tonihun to
(inira«i(*li'/.(* lla‘ prinidpl** aotors of tin* Unto uldoh «'ojidn’.^ lmnn‘diat‘i\ und»*r
niy noii(‘i» may la* worth int*nllonim! hi .\on.
Widlo K(*ndall was on his nd^^ don, la* rotidnr tlo* Vdato Ihiid. •; tM u rt-ito
doposils, I .*;pi*nf tla* inonlli of Aut^ntst and pan of ;h*pti*ndnT uPh Uo* Pit- i
dt*n(. at tln» Ivip Ihips our fundlifs {loonp^inr tl?'* l i on (hiu ptv* ..r rtn k s
in Ihimpttui Uomls. Pdddlo Inul piannoil a mo a tn tdioua modi* t*i hioK idm
la IldM istilalotl spol, to Wldi’lp lor miooo in* >i*.n hr Imd nfat,i f.n uptt r
i’h(‘ (dtl (‘!ili*f had a hut on tin* hijdir .f j«»{nf of fhr U.irl - loolln.- tod
lo tin* Orrain wiH‘ri* wt* wont to opi*n his niaih^ ami talk to- r nmfirt -, ami it
nd;di( ahim*.t lltorttliy h.* ?;ahl fo Ih* tin* pidnt fit utihii Piddh* knrHrd a miu
iionndo rrom rvory ipmrtrr of tin* ruiou. Ih* h.oi urjfani.snl n ‘Oi «•!' ^.o*,':r
aKaln:il the (h'lmnd. who had hardly timr, likr an «dd faudr, p> nda In uIo.m
for roposo on his Itork wlirtt ndvilrs ‘ from r^rr». tpmMri amt t :pf » i;i|p, iiMm
fh(*rllh‘S Won* point’d in nptai Idm In ttu* iuip.* of trtf. r rnfrrufin n ?snrrrtt
dor of (hodrirn td’ rnnnAjna ihr I icpu-.p >, *ph,. p.*. ohiUU.i mI thl- 'Jiipvvdr
Wii.n llifif .ill tin* \ol|i*\.'i piitirt‘i| 111 nptai hho riiiar nntiri* 1 tot'r td till." tiitnn**i of
kls tiii*mis; wn:; panh* Ala tn* t.ir Ui.iiinom}. rrmiUm'tt at
Washington. A lliriiro hr wn * pHrd with a* • 'Minf s ..f fhr h-rritdr ruin imprnd
hav travrllnil \\i‘sf and from Idtn, ni v%i-v\ ffus*. riimr nrw » i.f ttir
distn‘ssrs of Ids fiirmls. hut inun Xainldr n n y rjotr of morami * uv.
(ion, Aiiuiit; , for wlmm tiit* Ihairrai had inHHaftd n h»n.im. . «Mf up
tHdlthin.s* amoniLC om* porUon of ids ntrmt*^, amt itmoiir iitiirf: aiiim t mn un,'
in favour of armtlmr Ihud^. In a word im man v,a*; rur .o m .-i . !m imrd with
snrh a doltnw id’ ^rlrfs Hm*o tin* limr ot thr h«rt> d:i> dohirr i In* old man
said to im* from Unn* to llmt*, a*, somr lun lun.' d‘-tf. la.i; .jn.n od him ” Ali
Pdjilr, Prnvldrm r ma> rhanm* mr tmi li i . in in,. pM*%rr ,,r miin f.i do H “
I J*rmrfn)j<*r two im laiirrs w hrn hr wa- pa;rhnl tr}4 .n*pt'»' * d u.it appr.d : ■
ojit* u;is a xolundnoini jirrnmmfaUi.- di |4a> m romiir.; tli-iidir: from ftn .dd
'I'rnnrssrr frirtnl who lijul inovisl p. Indiana and li pja- mlrd Uist? fair in f Viu
t'ros*-: Anotlirr was irom hh hr- i tra-nd of flu* .hurr J aai, Xatlmnlrl Atjo .aj
Uh-.*v hr dirlatril rlal»or;,tr U i , in n p|;. . -rufrn in .m h a iutin Ihat
AlS, P.m.,l M, li I,
608
AMEIIICA35^ historical association.
he was sure, if they retained the personal kindness they professed, they would
give them to the public in his vindication, as it was intimated they might be
given if they thought necessary. But they never published them. In these
letters I have no doubt the facts mentioned to you in my last letter and many
others not remembered are shown.
It was during this siege of the Rip Raps that the general dictated the
original of “the paper read to the Cabinet,” which was afterwards read by
Taney and given a calm .ludicial aspect, instead of that of a combative Bulletin.
There is an anecdote connected with this paper which I am not sure I ever
told you, but it is worth preserving, at least in the shape of a letter.
After the paper was read,^ but before publication, came to me, with
his solemn face unusually elongated, and said he was sorry it would drive
both Cass and McLane out of the Cabinet. I thought that would be little
harm done, but he deprecated repeated Cabinet explosions as making good
against the General the charge of a belligerent, unruly temper <fec. &c. He
said that McLane had resolved to go out of the Cabinet, and Cass had agreed
to go with him rather than have it understood, by tacit acquiescence, that he
agreed to the paper; did not contam Ms opinions and he our/ht not to
he held responsible for theynJ^ I answered that it was not probable that the
General wished to shift his burden on Cass: “Well,” said he, “if you mil
speak to the General and he will say so much in the paper Cass will let McLane
go alone out of the Cabinet or he will be compelled to stay.” When I repeated
this conversation to the General he smiled at the suggestion that Cass was
to bear the responsibility of his measure and said that if it were thought
necessary to escape it McLane and he might quit the Cabinet — “ he caved not—
they could do no mischief in or oiU;” but he added, “ I am very willing to let
the public know that I take the whole responsibility of this measure; Mr.
Blair, I wish you would look out a place in the paper where I can put that
in.” I then read over his cabinet “ paper ” and found out a paragraph where
this declaration might be introduced and he clapped it in, interlining or patch-
ing on a sentence or two to make it fit. The next morning I went to Taney’s
house with the printed paper, and Donelson being there, Taney, putting a
segar in his mouth and his feet upon the writing table, prepared to enjoy his
first state paper in print, said “ Now, Mr. Secretary, let us hear how it reads *
for the public.” Donelson read on until he reached the responsibility passage
when Taney stopped him with “how under heaven did that get in!” I told
him the story and he said, “ this has saved Cass and McLane ; but for it they
would have gone out and have been ruined — as it is, they will remain and do
us ntiich mischief.” No one has regretted the mistake more than myself and
I felt it with the deepest chagrin when Cass, at the Kossuth dinner given at
Jackson Hall, volunteered a speech to make capital for a presidential nomina-
tion and selected the topic of the Removal of the Deposits as his theme,
extolling that act as the wisest and most heroic of the Administration! No ,
,one not In the secret could have doubted but that he was the mover of the i
measure in the Cabinet, so happily did he explain its propriety and necessity
and praise the wisdom that planned and the courage that dared to propose it. :
I think the Speech was printed but know not whether reported by the author \
with the effrontery with which it was uttered. * * I
1 Sep, 18, 1833. The Globe, Sep. 23, 1833,
2 Asterisks in the manuscript.
CUWTKll XU.
n^niovjil of Uio ilr])().siis wns (lu^ Iasi ^ri*ai puhlir (jn<‘s(i<)n in
(lu‘. (lisposilioii of which Mr. McLnnc aiul mysc^lf cnnsulhMl an<l actial
(o^cthcr llioujL!:h dilVcrinf*: wididy in ihc opinions wo (o (hi‘ Prcsi
(lent. Oihers arose and w(*r(‘ <lispo.s(*(| of but ilun’c was tin conca^ried
acdon in respect to tluan belwt'cn ns. Among the latter ihi‘ suhjtH't.
of 0111* claims upon I<h*an<’i'. was tlu‘ most prominent, and deserves and
will rec(‘iv(‘ a sei)ara((' norua*.
'rhis changi* in tlu‘ hearing of onr personal ndations upon puhU(»
(tuestions, by superseiling what is, jjerhaps, my only excuse for
the space I have givtm Uumi, ailnionislu's me (d* t lu‘ |>ropriety of draw
ing to a eoiadiision on Uie subject, which I shall mncii pridVt* (o th) as
soon as I can. Ilow' it was that Mr. Mcl.auc coin inced hinriidf that
iMr. Diiant'V lasagiiation properly involvtal his. own, or upon what,
priiicijde 111*, for man^v month:., felt him;adf riditnasl from the impera
ti\'c pn*ssnn‘ of (hat ohiigation, if any Mich cxi .(imI, may perhapr:
ni'vi'r l»c known. One thing only i ; certain, ami that is (hat he was,
aftt‘r that- gcniliunatrs removal, mner at eaM* in his ollitdal siad-.
h'roui what has already Inaai seim the nauliu’ will mU In* :.urprisi*d
to ii(*ar tliat this nnseilled :(a(e t)f feeling led in freijiumt and, not
s(‘ldom, to (laily r(*iteral(Hl appeah. to na* foj* con adlat ion with him
self” and through nu‘ with (he Presidiuit in respect to liis c^mrse.
St‘V(*ral anxious notes upon (idei point nvv found among my papers.
In tlu*. latter |)ari of lM*bruary, of the Se niou <d' IKVA and after
I’umors <d‘ his intended re ignation had found phua* in (he news'
papers, his Ihiel uat iag eouneil'. uppeannl to havt* ivmdied a fixed eon.
idusion and his withdrawal to haw* ln*eome ine\itald(*, but (Iu‘ alfuir
was brought to a tliileriud and amiealde -olntlon throngdi mv t‘Xi‘r
(ions mad(‘ elleetnal by (lu^ patiimee and genem- i(y of die Prt'sidt'ui .
It will not e-eupe notiia* (hat I in the pn*paradon of (hi:,
work liherally resurled to familiar h*(tt‘r ., when wiiliin my enntrol
and wlu‘n tin*, u.^e of du*m was not otluTwi n imju'nper, siniret's
<i| injorniation and (Hideiiee in rtdatifai to esent with which (liey
W(*re contemporaneous and t)f wliieh thiw peak.
In addition r ueh weight as the de**'ree of in formal ion and ea
paeity in ap{u*eeia(e (he bearing ni' important pa Migc . in public
atlaii’.; or in the ti\e (»f pnhlir men po e ■ ed liy die writer.", and
C)l()
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AirTOBHKJKAlMl V OK MAItTIN VAN HUUKX.
01 1
'Po \Vasiiin(;T(»n luviNtu
]\IY DKAU f^TU:
Knowlii?^ (lio doo]) inU'rosl you (nlu' in tiu* iui|>piiu‘ss of our iViiUul ycLano
and of his iidcnu'sl iu^*’ fiiniily, 1 laUo ph'asuri' in sayinic lo >«»ii Unit nlUM- :i
s(‘V(MV trial, in \vhi(Mi lu' was hrouiixht to llu' brink of n fatal proripirt*. ho luo;
linally (Itdinaniiu'd to iHMnaln in bis pn^sont station, anti llmt iindor oirfum
stance's which j^ive*, I think, tin* lu'sl smairity for its ptnanancncy and which
r(‘th‘(*t, if that wen* possible*, additional <T('dil on his J»i*sl of wiv(*s.
In ^na*ai haste*.
V(‘ry truly yours,
M. \ A.N r.ruKA,
U'., MaMi (lUi, /S,r},
Kuom WAsmAeiloN luViNiK
Ni'Av Vouk, 1/f/rcA Nth, fSJ}.
iMy 1>kar Snt:
Vour h'lti*!* c«ince*rinna’ .Mr. Mcl.ain* is dt'cply iniorcsi in;*,, i have felt fu’oat
anxi(‘ty alnait him, knowinc; tin* e*s.ct‘ssi\ dy tryinc: ^.ituati(^u in wliich ho was
placed and tin* eh'Ucalc and involved state* e»f his feetliif*s. lie is ontiiU*d ‘o
twe'ry e'oiisieh'rat ion from ymi ali. ills sacrllU’c's of lrt*liii:- mo t l»e r*rc;tt, >»'!
his continuance* in llie* (’ahim*! at this crisis is id' rri*at Importam-e to id-i
frle'iiels, e‘ven themah his aons may he* (it'tl np a.s (o the cnule***! in uliich lh«‘\
are* cn;LfaKoel. It Is also hnpeuUant to Ids own we*lf;irc. HK** reiircineni at this
mome*id would he* miteh* a luindh* eef by the* oppe>Ui*n(s of the* Aelndidst raliou,
and he* wouhl he* fore't'd, lit spile* <d’ lUmse‘lf, lute* a ui*e*{chi’el e'oHKlon with Ids
late* frie*nds. \Vha(: a sorry la • making «d’ U sphmimt out ncws«
pape'i* !e‘t(e*rs lo swell Ibis (‘Icrnai hank tlnam*. 1 have* no thotndd of e-emdun
(e) W'ashiidtem at pre‘Si*nl. I am epii(*ll,v sct(h*el In the* heaeom of in\ I’amlly,
and gradually Redthm^ hae'k into Ihee.M* lUe'rary ludiUs whh*h loive* tii*e‘n so hm ,
lnie*rrupte‘d and whh*h, tifte'i* all, are* m<»st conm‘nlal to my ta*di's. th-dde. I
have* no inellnallon to h(‘ar any stioutln;*: on (Ids Hank <,»ue*sti(in I hmdn tt»
heat he* the* sul).ii‘e*(, ami e*an hardly re*llsh ihe* *.ia,ld eif a hank m>to hi a llUli*
while* meildn^j: hul a hard dollar will se*( upem my Nleauach. 'Pruly we* uro a
]»ank ri(lde*ii e'eamlry.
./(dm was In (<»wn the* o{Ii(*r day, loeikhe^? \’ery we-ll, thmudi pri'te*ndlm' to he*
some'wliat anV{*t(*el In juirse* by* Ha* shifting of the* ele*posj('s.
lhMne*mlM*r me* klnetly (o (he* Majeu*. Whe-n you Ne'c the* lHndl> of the Mi'l.am's
^ive* my most afiVe'iionale* re*ine*mhrancos to the‘m. I loot' te» lie*:u' from amne
one* or other (»f {he*m, for I have* m»( lanl anv di>me .|ii* now . (rom (lo-m tor
months,
10v«*i% my th‘:ir sir,
Ve*ry truly yimr
U \ lltVlNO,
'I1h‘ iu(‘i’(‘Iy iu*rMnml re'latieni [a*(\vi*eu Mr. Me-hmu* aiiel iny elf,
thoikaii i^ejiiipwhal h*-- raiuiliar, l•^udi^| 1 llM| mi iippart'id iy frioinlly
jeadiiiii; fill f(»war<!s flu* e lei e* (j 1 flu* e*{*Ie*l}rji(t*(( St*s ‘ioii dT (’enp/rt* i
) \\iH*n oirmnn fane’es e)c<*ijrre<! uhie-h tienildle* S eaiHfrih
lift’d laro'(*)y io l)asii*n flmir final eli--ediif inn. 'riu*. o atii nf flu*
dillii.’ult it*s between ns aiul Kranee in respee*{, tei ilu* neni jmvnienl <d’
ASSOflATloK,
012
tlu‘ (Ir.'ift wbi(‘li wns dnnvn upon llu' I’^nuicli < iovorumt'iP undtu’ Mr.
Rives’ (real, y. The inrormalioii of its protr^t arrivisl at \\*ashin^t<>n
in is;’)!, and Mr, Mt'Laiie took iii^lant ami iliM'ided ^rouud as
to the course proper to he |)ursii(Ml hy our ii;tn I'rument on tin* oeca
Sion, Of tiiat position and of my own in opposition to it. ami <d' tiu'
wlmle imitter I will hav(‘ more to say lao'ea f((‘r. 11ic <jU<*slion ^\ as
oiu' wliicli propo’ly relVrrtal itsidf to the I )i‘parf uund over which lu‘
presi(l(‘d and (he course lu' atlvi-etl was, foi’ a jcasoii, earjK'sdy sir
taimal hy ih(‘ Ih’csidenl. My strong <tisM*ni frtjm ila* opinion of both
pro(lm*(‘d moment aiT einharra.-smmds, hut as hetween tlu* Rri»>-idmil.
and myself (hey soon disappeared ami, althomrh I was -ensihle (hal
Ml’. M<*Lane was deeply mortilied hy th(‘ din*c(ion which wa . linally
c'i\’(‘n (o (lie mattiu’, I did md dream td’ its having; (hi' edVet of
r(wi\’in;L»’ (h(‘ <(m*slion o(‘ liis rcsi^’nat ion, wldi’h had heon I uppo ed
ami hoped, dispos'd of hy (lie lasi adju tini'id. I remained iimler
(his iin|)r(‘ssion until information reached me acciilentally, and in a
way whicli was, uudei’ (he circuno-tance- , nu( a little e\t raortlinary,
(hal he liad iictually resi<j;ned. ( )n my arrival at an cxeniii”' party at the.
house of Mr. < 'fayloe I perci‘iv(*d Mr-, Mclaine m*ar the door hy
widcli I (Miti'n'd I'ue’a'i’ed in comersatioii with Mr. John Sar*»en(, of
Rliiladel[)hia, and I ad\'anced (o pay my re.-ju'cir. to hm’. As I ap
proachi‘d Mr. Sar^cnl uas in (he act cd’ h‘a\ Inp; her and rai-.iiip: iier
\()ic(‘ -oniewlnd, she (‘xclaiimal (o (he lattt'i’ *'■ W'cll, thank lleasi'ii!
i( is over at last” I ln\ in|;’ h(*en lone; on intimate and a • I al way-' up
posed \’(‘)’y friendly terms with ht'r I did not he itate to a k what
happy d(di vi'ranee had ealh'd out such a h'rvcnt espre .sion id’ thank
fliliu'ss. WJiyJ’sln' ri'plied,'‘ I referred, of eonr.-e, to Mr. .McLaue’>.
ri'si^U'ird ion ! ” addin/i: a dcelaratiou of -airprir e at my appan'Ut ii»;m»
ranee of (h(m‘vent, wliicli I assui’tsl her wa.s real. Si'ein^t Mtijor !)om
(dson, (In' Pn'sident's pi'ivali' Secretary, nearhy I a ked him (o walk
old with mi*, and on reei'ivin/i; his eontirnndion of (he m*w: I lunl jm I.
heard, he. also sayin^r (|nii hi* had suppo-ed that I km'sv all ahont it,
I invited him to accompany me to the Whiti* I Ioum*.
Wh*. found the Pri‘sidi*.n(, lying on a ^>ufa, pnilc alone and evidt'ullv
jaded and dcspomlimt a I’omlition to whieh hi ^ naturally elastie
and svlf rdiaid sfdrit rarely sm-eunda'd. I de:crihcd my hrief inter
\'icw with Ml’S. McLane, assured liim of my ignorance cd’ (he I'aei.
of her hiishamrs resignation and that. I had not received (he slighi
<‘s(. intimation even from any iim\r(t'r of his purpo-e, alt ho’ it now
appeari’d (hat liis letter of resignation hud been delivered to the
Ih'i'sident, a day or tw'o before. His eoimlenaiUT. imJantly eh'areil
lip and expressed as phuuly as words eonhl have done (he relief
afforded lum hy my eommuiiieatiou. ,My omission to speak to
MS. VI, p. m.
f
A.ITl:OBlOaRAPHY OF MAUTIIiT VAK BUREN*.
613
him in relation to a matter of so much delicacy, about which we had
previously held many embarrassing and painful consultations, had
very naturally caused him much uneasiness — doubtless not wholly free
from misgiving as to the steadfastness of my devotion to lus policy
and to his person when brought in irreconcilable conflict with my
constant solicitude for Mr. McLane’s welfare. But the single fact
til at tlie resignation had been made without my knowledge furnished
a clue to the entire proceedings and at once disclosed to his keen
sagacity that the movement was one of hostility to me. He directed
Major Donelson to read to me the letter of resignation and the an-
swer to it which had been prepared, and, speaking with the ease and
freedom which had always characterized our intercourse, asked my
opinion of the latter. I gave it to him without reserve — ^lie had gone
further I thought, in his answer, than the occasion called for or than
justice to himself allowed. I said that I cordially sympathized
with his desire to make his parting with Mr. McLane as soothing
to the feelings of the latter as the case would admit of but that his
answer might well be construed as conceding errors on his own
l^art. These I pointed out and whilst my view of the matter was
not fully assented to by Major Donelson who had drafted the answer,
he nevertheless admitted that the expresssions might be misconstrued.
The President then requested me to take the pen and to make the
paper what I thought it ought to be, which I did and he directed
the Major to copy it as it stood. The letters were never published
as I believe; they are certainly not to be found in the publications
of the day or I would be able to point out the alterations with more
precision.
The General immediately took up the question of a successor to the
retiring Minister and heartily consented to offer the appointment to
my friend John Forsyth, hy whom it was accepted.
I called at Mr. McLane’s house on the next day, was received by
Mrs. McLane with her usual urbanity and remained long enough for
Mr. McLane, Avho was, as she informed me, in his study, to present
himself if he was disposed to do so. Not seeing him within a proper
time, or receiving any excuse for his non-appearance, I took a respect-
ful leave of Mrs. McLane and do not remember to have seen her again.
Her husband and myself shortly afterwards passed each other in our
carriages without recognition on either side, and once again, I met
him at Baltimore on the occasion of General Smith’s funeral. I was
then President and during the ceremonies of the day was placed near
to both Mr. McLane, Avho had been an old friend of the General, and
to Mr. Taney, then and still Chief Justice of the United States. After
the services were concluded the Chief Justice said to me saw that
you and your old friend McLane did not recognize each other : cer-
614 AMKUICAN" llISTOinCAli ASS()(’l A'rioN.
tainly no advaiieo in (hat (lir(‘t'(ioiu*' lu' adtliuL "foiild \)v i‘\)u‘c(t‘(l
from you.”
TIio ” auiiouinvd iMr. M<‘Iiain‘\s r(‘si«»:na(ioii with a cuuipli
monlary n()(i(!C ol* ]\iiu whicli I iH‘V(M‘sa\v until I rtaul it in tlu‘ nows
|)a|)Oi% n(‘itluM* was 1 aj^priscd of Air. \\’r*iiiln s aycmw in raiisino- i(,
to appeal* — (teii.ainly not until aFtiT its apprarama*. In IMA, wluai
he suspected that Mr, Mclanu' was st'ekinn: pret’\u*nu*nt IVoiu Mr.
Volk and that*, lie was ainiini!; to advaiua' his in(('i*i*sl l»y an indication
of hostility to Mr, \Vi*i^‘ht, who was looktal to as (lu* probalih' candi
date (‘or the succession, and to his (‘riends, Mr. Idaii* made me si‘\eral
.communications liavin<»* r'chu’cma* (o thc'se matters and in out* <d* his
notes lu> tlius spoken of that pul>li(*at ion :
lh)\y natcli I rcvarel I lie aHinission n!' llie arti<‘lt' lU llii‘ AnUauip’s
lalcin.a'! II. was wrilteu l)y lituu'lson aiul was intiauUMl hy Mel, am* ftc' (Im* very
})\ir])ost‘ fer whleli i(: will now )»n asiMl my <*stnpiH*l. Mr. U I'A'Iit’s insi;inct's
aNam inUnceU an* In surri^mha* my ions. I inU'inloU lo lalo* l>om'ls<m’.s
ni’lieh* to llm (ilema-al aiul satisly liim Ihal it slmnlU n«ii apjuMr. Iml Mi*. \\‘rir^iip
wli() si‘i'nu*<l lo Iiav(‘ niori' intor<*s( in ll (haii I cmilU :n*i'uunl lur i'^ropt on llio
supp<»Hi(lou dial, yen w^'n* dasirmis Ui.-u .MrLam* slnmM ha\<‘ an li<»m<rahlt* UIn
<* lmrL!;’e, ev(‘rruleU me. I m‘ver aepMl nfaiiisl my iii' llm ls lu m> liU* that I Uiil
m*p in ll)(* (Mul, liiid mystdl' in lln* wron**.
'^riie i*(‘.ad(‘r W'ill lm\’(‘ ohs<‘i*\{‘d tlnd- in hi * Icttei* lo me aeknnw h'd‘i; ■
ing tin* othn* to him hy ( len. dtieksim (d‘ the olliec of AttortU'y t Imieral
jind also in that ae<*i‘p( itio- i jp* mir^sion to iMi/dand (i>y uhieh he was
raised I’rom a st.ai,t‘ of a’reat (l(‘spoinh‘ney I(j a position which could
not Tail to ht^ yrat,i I'yino: to a rtarumahh* man) .Mr. Mtdiaiic intimated
tlmt more nu^j:hi ptu'haps havt^ heim dom* for his int(‘re.%t!; than was
(loin*, and amon<i: his h‘tters from Mnylaml w ill in* foniid mu* in whieh,
!’(‘l>lyini»; to tin* information (hat lu* innl heim sidectetl a:- Seci*(*t,;try of
the '’rr<*asury, lu*. <^\'pr(‘s^:es in soiiu* form, his rejLp’et (hat in the eon
strn(‘tion of the Vrt'sldent's st'mmd (’al>im*(, ht* had md licen desiy;
miteil as S(a*r(‘tary of Slatt* in the place* td’ Mr. I/n in/i; ton. Nh*i(her
at thi‘ p(*riod wlum h(‘ resiirned (lu* hi(tt‘r oiliei* nor at any time after
wmrds or ludopt*, w’it.h (In* (*xe(‘p(ions I have named, did he nttm* a
complaint in tiny form to m<* oi' to any oth(*r person, io my kiiowh‘d”*t*,
of iny tn‘atnu‘iit of him or of in.sinet*rity on my part, or failure to elo
for him all tlmt 1 had )»romis(*d oi* imputing* jo mp mjy act op word
ineonsisti‘nt, with tin* fri(‘ndsliip 1 htid pi'ofessed for and whi(*li lunl
la‘(*ii so iilK'rtdly and disin((*r(*stt*(ll y (*xteiHl(*d to him, nor did In* (‘ver
a.ssi<j^n to nu*. or lo ;uiy other piM’.son, to my knowk’d/j'e, in tiny slmpi*.
any reason f(H* dissolving our loujf*^ tind elos{* rehitious. Having ((‘ii-
di‘red hy an tu*!- of (*omplaisauc<‘ to whi<*h lu* poss(*ss(*d no claims, u
snituhh* opportunity to ask or to oiler (*X[)hinal ions, nothin/^ further
wtis left for me to do save to forf»:et, as ftir as praetieahh*, tlu* intimate
assoc.iation that had unhaiijiily rip(*m*<l hetwet*!! us hrin^in/j:: to nu*
AUTOBKHUJAIMl V tiK MAirriN VAX UCUKX.
(515
aimosi; contiiiiinJ anxiety anti drawin*** rnnn na‘ inanifnld aet * td
kindness which, it iinw apptairt'th ndniit ha\i‘ ixM'tt nioii* jinliriou ly
as well as more deservcally I)(*s(<)\vtMh
ISTcvert lieless the unpri'ceilenti'd ’-leps i»y whirh tlm r ladatinti *
were suddenly and iHysti*rio!isly ruptured hy Mr. .Midaim* «*;iu fd uh*
nui(‘h pain and ha\'e (oretul IVtuii nu' an t‘\p<>ati<ju uhi^ h I wotdd
gladly hav(^ aA'oith'd and whieli hiii for tin* rea uns alri^adv I
Avoultl have avoided. Kvery tnu‘ t>r our foiueniporarii* in au\ i‘‘*n
sideral)le dep:re(‘ coin'tu’sanl wiili tla^ eoursi' t)f puhlir t‘vniu . td'
our long coniinuetl and iniiinalt' inttu’courst* ainl td’ my arn\r uutut'.t
in his wel fare, and nndi‘r.slood that on the day on u hieli he pre »uued
to President fJai‘kson his r(‘sin:nat ioiud’ tluMdliia* ofS^nu’etarv nf State
lie was ranked hy inyself and hy all my rritmd.*. anmtii^: th<* I’Mreuio f
(>1 th(‘. niiinht‘1* ol (|u‘ taller hoiintl (o me h\ (In* : 4 ron«»i' t tie , and
that he made. I 1 h‘. disso]ii(.it>ii of (hose lie.-, ami (he uhamhuuurn( uf lu .
higli ollieial sialion jiarls of (In* same ti’aii aeiium e«»uu*\inu Im lUr
puhlie mind, l)y (he. manmu* of il ; t*.\taaii inn, an inipir ion (list In.
i’(‘sin'na( ion, if no( eaiised, haii af (t*a: ( hecn I’arilitaird !i; had tr^.p
nuMit ]’t‘e(*i\‘etl ai iny hand -. Hie ollieial rrlat imo fh /l itad
miilial liim willi (he Pre-ddent were r|(» ml at in , t ui. r uid
with suilahk' ^‘raei^ and ili;t.rni(y and in a form eHrlndni*^ ih- .s .
pieitJii ol a hrtaieh in (lu*lr per onal friiuai !ii|». khmu .di ui . i o
elates in (ht* ( iovtu’nnu’nl la* parted appiirenll) u n !« kmd h i'hmm,
hill, alllio' I had slootl lowartl - Idm for vrar in tia- a* i.no h dr* d
eharae(.i‘r ol '*'• next, frimidd' hail linrin;^ the nreat<*r put of that
[leriod l)(‘(m iloomed (ti hi‘ar, in addition lo m> own aimnd uu 1**40
icad vexations and (nuihle., a larL^e [lortion of hi - pu^aif- ria f ,
not oidy (hose whieh ui*re I’eal Imt Iht* a* mott* ninnornu , airti lutur
harassin/j^ whielu Irom linu* (o (iimx uiae conjured up In iho umk
in<»;of a r(‘sl I(‘ss and a morbid r.])ir-i( alilur 1 wa y t fir* U fi oni tin*
n(‘/,m(iation of an arran/eunenf hi*lueen him ami tin* Pir td^mr h\
whieh Ik* jm<l hi‘i*n sa\-ed fimm the tin tnt< ti\t* idh'et id' lu oua i j h
n(‘ss, with nu* a vi*ry ililferent eour.M* uu pnr m*d. Not ouh . u . ha .
h(‘en before sinleih were no e\|}laiud itm , a ked, no .oajpl.uni ad
\ aneedmio ions ol hi.s inti'idjon to re ipa amdt* hut lu ih* aru
was ajiparendy with studied i'anlim, enmvalad fiom lu. ,, th u
movement mipht he e(anph*ted before 1 ;ho(d*( hr mtoumd t.hu i
was a.doot. d'lu* Pn*.- idenl, alM^r what had pa .M t.rfniv, u..uhl
not, it was douhtles- foremen, l^roa.-h Ihr uhir. a t<i inr if 1 uni m-t
s(K‘ak ol it (o him. Hn* line (*f e.mdii*'t (.tuanl mr whtMi wa .
(mtei’(‘d upon hy Mr. MeLane at ami imna-dtaf rh, pir-r.liar
period <d’ his n‘sipudi(m \va pi-r rM*re«i in to tin* end *d^ In 'hh-
^111*111- the. wlmle of that after period md a line or a voud m ivr.ul
i
I
VI, n j:,.
616
AMIClUdAN IllS^'roRU’AIi ASS()< ‘I ATUm.
to tlu‘. ])i’(‘St‘nl oi* th(' pjisl- l)('i-\v(M‘n ns, dircM’ily or in-
diivctly. After the oi)|)ori unity I luul nlVordtMl Tor surh n <‘om-
iniini(*citiou, if lie (h^siivd <jiu\ nnli'ss 1 wjis wi'ak (uiouiiis to \olun--
toer explniuiliovis to tlu' puhlir all that the latter could know oi* inter
was that a. i)r()!uiiH‘nt politi<*ian whom ilu‘y luul lonu: rt'eoirnisiMl
at Washinii;ton as a))paren(ly ehi(*r auion<»: my frimids, Inui smidenly
(piitted the seat of (Jovcuaiuieut my tuumiy.
The mei‘(‘s't no\i('<‘ in (Ik* a (lairs and ways of (lu* world would
reje(‘t the su/JC^*(*st ion (hat- a eours(* so unnatural ami so inth'h'nsihle,
ma.tiu*ed in a. mind of ri'iirarkahle shn‘wdni‘ss and stihllety, was
adopted without speei{i(’ ladeulat ions or ulterior p\ii’pos<^s. In re-
spe(‘t to tlu*se I have no information - of sullleit*!it imporlama* to lu‘
stated- whi(*h will not. In* opc'U to tlu* reader (d‘ tlu'sc* pa‘»'t*s, Iml.
it was, of course, not possil)le that. I should fail to hava* tleeidi’d
iiii|)r(*ssions, to which, with (he explanal ions I make hciv, heina'
nothiiifi; moi*e than my infer('ne(‘s fjaun facts ri*'diiri»’ chielly cm Mr.
Mcljane.'s aiithoi’ity ami, lu'Vond llnd, (o an iuipiU’tant lAtcaif on (h *
{ommunieat ions of his r(‘spt*e(ahh‘, early, con.stjuit and clear headed
frit'ud, the n'ade.i’ is not ask(Ml io allow mori* wi^i'iiit than that to
wlu(‘h he. would liimsi'lf think l!H‘m (‘Ulitled. I am now t*n(irely
satisdeil that Major L(*Avis is corri'ct in tin* supjH>si(ion that. Mr.
IMeLane's iiua<i,’ina( ion was da/,/.Iei! hy an expetUalion of reaching' (he
Pr(‘si(k*n(*y and (hat his mind was inihiein’ed from an (‘arly p(*ri<Hl
('f our in(<*reoiirst‘- hy that. hopt*. His discomlil uri*s in rt*itt‘ra((‘d
a.tl.(‘mpts to |)i’om(j((* the eausi* (d‘ a luitional hank to which he was
devot(‘d cf hi- tnUc hut. in which lu* ('lu’ounl t‘rt‘tl (lu* invineihk*
(»p|)osii.ion of Pre.sid(‘n( daekso!! at k‘n<i:th sati.-lii*!! him (hat all
sehemi‘s for (In* o^ral ili(‘at ion of his d('sin‘S in that direeti<ui thro'
demoeratic elnimu*ls wi‘r(', fori'Vt'r hlasti'd. ( )m* chanc(> romainetl
(lu*. possibility, pt‘rhaj)s, in his vi(‘W% tlu* pi’ohahilily that tlu* oppo
sition miahl h(* induct'd (o acct'pl liiin lU; (hi*ir Pn'sidenI ial candi<lale
at t■lu^ llu*n coming' (‘lection if his nana* conhl la* hroiio'ht hefore llu*m
in a.n imposin^i; form. Tlu*r(* w'ert*. fealtin*s of his position and
operatint** <‘aust‘s in (In*. t(*mpt‘r of (lu* linu*:. wt*!! calculated to (ill
w'ith high liopi's of su<*h a result, a. I(‘mperament at internals vwy
sanguine. I'lu* hank, w'ith its vast int(*i’t*sts and i*xertions, was
looked to as tlu* strong arm of tlu* opposition and among tlu* piu*
sons liy wdiom Mr. Mi'Lane w'us llu'n .'-nrronnded and with whom,
at Liu*. pa]*l.icnlar period of whit'h I s[)eak, lu* fn*ely <*onsid(i*d, llH*rt*.
W'(‘re artful and, in sneh matti*rs, ahle. iui*n who de\'oted tlu*ir whok*
time and talent and energies to its serviee. His partiality lor tlu*
(dost*, eompanionsliip of several of (hesi*. had of[t‘n eaust*d me mi
easiness at earlier stages of our intimacy, h'roin (lu‘si*. soitrre.s iu*-
jniglit have, learned, if his own ohservat.iou had failed to Miggi*st it,
AUTOnUHlUAlMl V OK MAltTIX VAX lU'UKX,
iWl
the (lis]:)(>siii()n pri'vahMil in llin whin* t*(»unfils to {>o.t]uint‘ thr }«i<'
tensions of Mr. (May, Tor tlu' (nisuinn* rirrtitni at l«*a t. a tii |n> n sn!i
wliic.hj in (ho so(jiU‘l, oontrolloil thair action. 'The inilncut!;!| uhn*
inanagors kno.w wt‘II (lu^ lojin'Ics'-nc of a campaign urclnr fh-'
kaulorship of Callionn oi* \’\h*hs({‘r. AMio hc .idc couh! pn* -lOt m
imposing a. claim (o I h<‘ hn’or of a hank go\t*rnc«l opp-* nnm a Mr.
iM(*Lan(‘‘t' Ih^ liad always hiam ifs IVimnL Inni cxcricil hiiji rlT pr r
haps more in its In'lialf than any olhoi* piildic man ainoim it np
poi't(M\s and in laitor yc'ars had done so under pc<’utiai' re pun duhth
and at groat hazard to his political position ami pn> pcrt . \\ fi;ii
might not ho and tlu‘ men who wore his advism'-* hope for fi«mi the
partisans of that institution whim to ctaims rottmlcd on uch ...'i
sidorat ions h(‘ should h(» placial in a situation to add that t»f fniluicul
martyrdom in its can.si* that of ha ving • acri!i<*cd one of fhc lughc t,
most lionorod and most injlncnlial stalion . in the t hn rJmniriii mo
tho altar of liis uncoasing <lc\(itiom In the actual [hi itiun «.f p.nie-.
ono drawluiek ujion pretensions ntherwi c so nlid uiol n r e I r,ic:d*f»^
winild ha\'o hoim found in the «’haraelcr of hi. uril Khmv-u r.d. it
with him who w as expci'led (o h»* (he anti hank eaiphdaf*s I u- t
that. ohje(*tion tli(‘ [U'oinpt and ai» edtite rciumei.P I mu ;uid ^ div
ahriipi* lau'ersal of tlio.<(^ r*e!ation , personal and p*4ifs .d, e, .t , i
pJ*o\’i.sion (loilht le.ss .sjigge.st ctl hy at lea .{ toir of thf ha ^ liinu Ka
of till' hank hy whom hi' was, a . 1 ha\e namUomsh hi rt and uhs h
would appi'ar to havi* hoen adojitod withtmt eompum-t iun.
Mr. Aleliane. did not reeei\'e (lit* aitl t>i Mr. Ihddii* to tiim
to till' Prosidi'uey of the Pnited State, ahim’ la* nhiaiia^d, Mom’
direi't. iiitlui'iiee ol (hi* latti‘i% a position v^luefi atiMifisni liOii toi ^ i.
I'ral yi'urs a liheral salary with little lahntd
''rill', portion.s of (his work which relate to hi iutmlw i wm* pir
pari'd not for piirpo.-cs of crimination hut for Mndccatnm I
tnndi'r my thanks in mlvancc' to anyone who hall tind lum -df
to disprove the mlver-e statement ami tleduetiMii. i\ir\ ^ mu rm, mi
to (jualify in any degree the unra\onihle* impn* ion, vMiioh rhn
may otherwise jiroduee. I m k tliut uu ou n cour e hall in’ p tu
the I'stimntion of my Countrymen, in tim respert and ire.ird f*. vdo* h
it: is entitled under the fact, a ; (hey ha\o tran piivd UMihno*
MavMhJi'in of Ujr Morri i Cjiniil A iruiljio; < Oiar o.y
OIIAITKR XLIl.
or ])iil)li‘* iiupoi'l luul i rharai-liM’
WIT. iho s(vnas W’Wu'h hy ilu‘ t>iHlar tR’ a\rnts aiv unw hrtmuiil to (uu*
ivv’u'W. I alli!(l(‘ i<> ilu‘ pr<H‘(M‘(liniL!;s ol tlu' (ii’.- t srs ’ "kmi oi (hr Iwtaity
lliird (^inuTi'ss a portion of oui- |ro;i:dat ivr history upon ssliioh ilia.
]HM)phy staniprd its tiau* (‘harartm’ hy vlanoininat inr: \i> i'roin it- flosa,
“tlir pairn'-st'ssiond' hy which name it has (*vc!* .'-ince laam known and
which it. is d(*s(iiu'd to hear as lonm* as its <loini^s ari‘ rinncinlun’t'd.
1>V \\\\ election to the otlice <d \ ice lh‘i‘siilant I hecanu* Pri*''idi'ut
of tile. Simate and conseiimmt !y an atttmdani upon it;-; important de-
hat.i‘s and pro(HM‘din^>;s, as wtdl in its si*cret as in its piddic ; o.-ions,
and havin<i; Iuhmi at the. same tiuu‘ coididmitiully c()nsn!led hy Ih’i'si-
(lent rlackson, as our corn*spondcnc(» will ahimdantly slu'W. in rela-
tion to all thi‘ measurtvs savi‘ one which dnriny; that ; e /nm hecanu'
the. prineipal snhjeets of continUitm l>e{\\«*rn that hod\ thim tlu'
luanh-ijua rttu’s of tlu^ opposition and him idik it wa- r.carcel\ pos
sil)h^ that, any person eouhl po-Mv. ^ hcltor opportunitie.: to Know (he
whoU‘. (ruth both <d’ (liost‘ suhjet’ts and of (lu* motives hy Vvhieh tlu*
con((*s(an(s” wt‘ri‘ r(‘speei i vi*ly iidlnmeed.
ddii* v’lrliial e(*nsnn‘ of a portion td* the National Lcyl hdnri* hy
(,lu‘i r const it lU'iits conet*ycd in the name popularly a|>plicd to (iH'ir
j)rot‘eedini!;’s was calh*d foi’ih h^\ the eonrsc af tlu* Senah* upon (he
application of tlu* hank for a i*i‘ni*wal of it-, charter amt Ity tlu* con
trov(‘rsy which liad nrisi*n helwccn it and (In* Ihu’sith'fil of the
Unili'd Stall's touching' that matter. To cnahh* (lie reader to decide
with ii;r‘<*ai (*r a<‘(‘nra<'V in rc:w[MM‘i to fhc ju Jice of that cen nrc it will
he hi^*hly nsi'fnl to pr(*e(*de my notieeof (h** Iransaetiom; upon vvhieh
it was pronoiineed with a hrief rev iew of the principal feat ni’es of the
emit rover.-'V alluded lo from its coinnu'iu'cnicnt. to (he period at which
We hav'i* arrivi'ik Tin* ((‘iidermy of a national hank in a (lovernment
lilvi*. ours, and the pai’t ienlnr arts of ( he late haidc to promote* (he elaim
.si^t lip for an t*xl.i‘nsion of itsi'harler^ are snhjeets whieh have already
hi'en (onelu‘d upon in this work foi*o(hei* pnrpo.‘'i*s t han (ho?.e for (he
1)e(,tt*r nnd(*r.'ilandin/^ of whieh they are ayain hnm^ht ftirward; hut.
{h(» reader may rest sutislied tlmt the. ri'petition will he limited, nor
will h(‘ hi* disposed to eom[dain when he iind.s that its only olgeet
is to sav e him I rouble liy hrin^in<X to oni* point, ev ery fart and I’oii"
sidei'alion that, may serve to illustrate the whole suhjtn-t.
(jii'ii. fhu’kson enti'red upon t!ie. duties td* tin* olliet* of Pr(*sident on
(hi* fourth of Mandi lS2t), and (In* eliarti*!* of (he [lank was to (*xpire.
(M.8
MS. VI, p. lie.
Ani’OlUOiJltAIMI \‘ <U* .MAIM'IN' \ A \ UrUKK.
i)\\^
by its own liiiiilaiion on tiu‘ (hii^l t»r Marrli A n<*u ricirtri,
or an extonsioii <^1* tlnit iiiuliM* which il \va ^ then aetui;* v.a- naturnllv
tlio subject- upon which llu‘ llnaiirhl- nf tlu.i* u ho ciuiu tr»l
wutli its iuauaij»‘(‘mt‘u( wtnv uio.-«l cniployinl. 'I he :i]»ility ni tie' luuih
to obtain a luajoi'ity iu its favor in both Ihucc-^of (‘<m:civ ua lun
(lou))lc(l; llu‘ only opposition fcartn! wa- that uliieh nouiu pror.-.*!
fi-oin the new rresithuil. 'rhere bail not btaau I lM‘lir\r. a lonincni
since (Jen. Jackson's eh'Valion to ibi‘ Pri“iilcnc\ in whii-h
had not l)een dislurb(nl by unfavorable bircbodinyv: upon that inter
estin^ point. This pri'siuit innuU had its orieiin in thidr kiiouled-f^ ot
the school in whicdi la^ had betui tau/xht llie rudiment - of hi juJuseat
(‘diH'aiiotu of Hit' (‘ariu's(n{‘ss with wltich la* lunl iu isirly Itie u
laincd its <lo(‘lriiu*s and <d* the stability and integrity of bi ‘ bar
ac((‘r. Intinialions thrown out in hi - tir.‘ t and . ecmid annual \U'
sa^'es s('rV(Ml to condnu tlu*ir a|jpn*hi‘n: bur- and it au\tliiue Aa.
re<]uirc'(l to assure tin* bank <»r what his cimr e tuuaril it v-m’J.I b**
it v’as r(‘adi!y‘ ol)jained rs’j>m (lie tJeneral him «•}!. at ;t p-M .'ntl
iii((‘r\'ics\' b(‘{wech him and the Ib-e'ithaif <d* tin- hard, <H<n .iHej f' -•
foi’liuu' entel’eil upon hi.- otlieial diitie .' I In* e imnn.ithe: ;o:*i
(h'cla rat ions wiuit n<» fuithi'r than {(» aunnuner ohit^ei i. »n i-. iL-
nndtU’ its t‘xisi in/p c'haiier, but Mr. lodillr ua tM.i ajMrais le-H-***
well aeqiiainted with thi* ways ij' the uurld n*u to liisi ci i !j- i.u
(‘\'id(mei‘ of a .strone* niid in all likidibooib an uiuiehhm^ '‘i'P“ na«n
to any national bank of tin* dt*”sn*ipthm tic ired b\ him and lo .
assoeiales. Ilaviiiy; imnh* tldm di e<j\i*rv ‘ ami heinp lorn elf ,i ni m
of r(‘soliij(‘ and persi.-diml spirit he di ini ed nii the uf lam all
liopes <jf assistanct* frotu the Pre:.i<|eiit and lotiked nuU upMs hnu a
upon one who;:e powiu’ and intlumici* \u* was de fined to em*. enter aJ
(*V(‘ry step in hi:; ciVort : to obtain a new eharler b«i t!ie ra J it nt nni
oV(‘r which he prtsdnled.
‘ ntddlf w il < lit W:i hhen'Mi Ui*- iUa»l w.O. ♦.! a , e. ■« ,,,.a e s-i -
rhift* r-tijiH* {lHH‘ lu tu’iMiu I In* I Vlli auit Sillh
'U i:( well nij'h imjMi'i* ilili' ji.r Uitfmn-. lU.f \n4j«u laS. > u :f‘,a i ?! ?> .
inKifi’NlJurl eaeli uUier innl Uial lUaaie luCitnura an.-n fit* Ifn oj'.a U>- - n-a - ; . j. . . .
octMUTetl (m Van I’.uren men tei a lemtSe t ‘i'** Ue ! o* .* •,s:s ^ ’
kunwUalKe of ,ln«‘UMin U uni‘*“Hi5i, f«*hH\el»«.n Uumh »na?-s v. ,>i laa-e, , .1 -
(lia(*c)v»*i‘,v hen* efetlUeil lo IUm n'lhtU-ften » atul -aK*eio. ‘J li** r ; ;
tin* (wn foUnwIltK ate laUeji, rniettehOv Jt.e.v UbMl. A o i ..
“'rile runmr («> wliieh ytm aUtnle, t ftao' umI lu.e. 4 fi.ii.i ;;jf i ji..re / t , ,
n iMoilln-ly wlUionl I’i.iinUaUua. r./e.Mii C.r •. ; ?; ‘
|o W'aHliinrloii, Cniln \shleh I troim. it >>n ‘lien 4;*'. I t { !> -4 ? a , ; ,,
vrry full \ fi'anU eluinieicf u iih tie C:. o<- j: iti iS - . r, :
luated an.v nueh purpnse. Ou tlu- rmaiuia he {.i.l. in t.-i:;;: ri. j.; a -, 1.1 ,
Inward;, (he iusUnifh'li id hi; thtUd. I-.S t h* v i 4 h-t ; r . : If' «
.■liner hi.-: ei.n tierf h.ii wllh U A I h«4. it, the iu. t v arh « n * ; . r rh . s'
I’aeltir.v Kind.'* ( r.iddh* fti Ale\atiiler H-indm.n. Chsi rh -j 14 ^ , j . i , ' ’
eapi'i'M I 'rr'iide u t ' 1 lji'lii‘1’ in.ixK, Nm. 4, Ir*-. s
“I round wllh ^UeJlt rhaMlte a fs ondi Jreirjn; nv.ejd. fS. W.nk r; !. . :
rreaideid ^ hi- |.iii t ieiihtr i rjet.d . u h.. loj u:- i U eui. i j .rur 4 4.rs . -a A , ; , . , ^
a.N .t \ri-y tornni.-ifr idi ciute a .nr-.- l l f!i lu.fifoO u nr! u v t. v: - : -i = . ;
liiriil.v jirohiirr.ni A’ iiathlj.^ h. , j 1,^,.%, tidlade J‘4d n O. . je
j’aiMT,: : nrirUdrut'ii I..-tt. i la-i.h, \m, pti i
620
AMKliU'AN' insTdKICAl. ASSlH'IA'i'IdN'.
From ('hat momt‘iit, as suhsc([m’nt tli*\ I'lnpiiH'uts ha s o fttlly shi‘\vn,
nothing was thou^iit of hv tlu' luaua/JC^ws nf (ho hank hul | »r(‘|>;ira( ion
■for tlio. sirugolo, anti (heir |)r(‘])ara( ions \v{*rt‘ on a soak* (hat intlioaital
a fair ai)[)rot*iation on its siih‘ ol Iht* oharaoit'r and strtmn'th of i(s
ant ioipalod anta^’onisl.. Ihi( altho' (hns impn*ssod its adsooatcs and
.supporters were not dismaytal and oonseitnis ol (1 h‘ \ ast ro^:ollro^‘s of
the hank they entenal upon (lu‘ ^Lirtad undtu’i akine: ludoro (Iumu oon-
hdent of suece.ss. d'hest‘ssion of d ( foui' years htd\>r(‘ (ho (‘xpira-
lion of its (‘har(>(‘r) was stdt'ettnl ftjr (ht* prosrntaiion of (he hank
iiKMuorial askin<>‘ from ('onu’ross a new ov oxioudotl ohaiier. 'Thai,
session, was deemetl (ht‘ most promisiii*j!: as it was (he Iasi lud'ort^ lh<*
eiisidmii; Presiilential i*leo(ion anti alhirtltal (hi* most elin'lhle oppor
( unity for an al(t‘mp(. (o tiris t* (ho Pri'sidont into an apprtjval td’ a hill
lor its !'t*oharter liy the drt*ati of its powi^r to prt*vtMit his I’o (*lt*e(ion
if he shoulil suei’eetl in deiVa(in<i; sneh a hill by the u u* of (he r</o
j)o\ver. Idle (*X(*reist* of (hal ptiwer was the (»h '(aeh‘ mo: t fean‘d by
till* bank, anti t.o plat’o thot|uestion in a jiosition whieli would rentier
su<*h a prot‘eetrm^ l)y the lh*t*sitltm( most tlillieidt aiul ha/anlou:: (o his
popularity w'lis of eourst* tlu‘ prineipal p<»int at whieh it aimt*iL
Authoiuza tion of its Prt'sidtmt to employ (lit* fiintls td’ tin* in;.ti(ution
at liis dist‘retion to inlluenet* (lit* Pre.ss, eonllne«! in tht* lir.-.t iir.tanet*
to spi‘ei litwinotIt'S, hatl been pro\ itled for, but (ht*st‘, (lud not lost si‘dii
of, were, soon felt, t.o ht* a!(o^i*(hoi' inatlecpiate to the uro’eneies of (ht‘
(K’oasion. d’he posst*ssion td* majorities in both braue!n*s id’ the ua
tional Le^islat.uri' <*nabl('d the hank to dri\e the Iv\eeu(i\e to I’t-.nrt
to tlie (‘X(!‘(‘me pow'er witli whieh ho was elothed by (ho t ‘oust i( ill itm
to deleat the bill for its i*(* inoorpoi‘,a(ion. d ld:‘. power tlio' it:: e.MU’-
eise w'as not without pr*eeed(*nt in (his < ountiw luul biMui used with
inai’ki'd h(‘sita(ion and i*eser\e hy his pri'deoessors and w a^i nowhere
fa\'oral>ly reeeivi'd. This was ifi itsi’lf an nd\an(ap‘ to (he hank
whii’h few’ men emnin^ hid'ori* tlu'ir (kuintrymi'n for (he last time an
appiii'.ant foi’ (heir eonliilenee and support wouhl he willini*: t‘* eii-
eonnter or eonld hi* induei*d to do so even nndei* <*irenmst aiiees far
more* favorahle than thosi* whii’h surrounded Pri'sident dai’kson. In
addition to tin* assumed odium id’ resold in^;* in a Kepuhlie to wind
they invidiously <*all(*d Uii* one-man poui'r was (lu* liahilitv of liis
ae.ts tho’ they eould not rif»;ht fully lie so refi^urded to he perverted into
a liast(*niii^ of tlu^ (‘olU'etion of its diTts hy tin* laink.
d'lie ui‘(u*ssity of wdudin|[*; up the uiruirs of an instilutioju with a
(aipital of tliii’tydlve millions, (he. business of whieh had 1hh*ii im
meiise and W’idely ditfused, within the. time limited hy its eharter,
was W(*ll eahuilated to produce unavoidalile (‘mbarrassiiients in (he
business <*one(U-ns of the (‘.ouimnuity, witli tlu* best iuti*ntions on the
jiart of those to whose nuiuageiuent its ailairs hud lieeii eommitieiK
AUTOBIOGRAPHY OP MARTIN VAN BUREN.
621
and to excite great apprehensions AAnthoiit a resort to extraneous
means to increase the causes of alarm. But the sharp-sighted and
bold men on whom that duty devolved as also those who had ven-
tured their political standing on the success of the bank and had
devoted all their energies to its cause had been made too sensible of
the General’s popularity to trust to the ordinary means of warfare
as long as there were any additional barriers in their power to inter-
pose to his adoption of the only course by which their success could
be prevented. They therefore set themselves at work to add to
existing difficulties in winding up its affairs within the prescribed
period and thus to stimulate those who might be affected by it to a
still more vigorous pressure upon the President to induce him to
withhold his veto. The expedient resorted to for that purpose was,
it must be admitted, of a truly formidable character. It was nothing
less than a largely increased line of discounts notwuthstanding full
and official notice to the bank of the intention of the Government
to apply all its disposable funds to the payment of the public debt.
Forty millions had been for years the average amount of the loans
of the bank. In October 1830 they stood at $10,5275523. Between
January 1831 and May 1832 they were increased to $70,428,007: the
highest figure ever reached. The amount of its outstanding dis-
counts between the periods mentioned av as thus increased about thirty
millions, saying nothing of the increase which took place between
May the date to wdiich the report of the bank extended, and July
when the veto was interposed. This extraordinary and reckless step
was taken without even a pretence of a change in the business of the
Country to justify, much less to require so great a change in the
extent of its credits. The design, as charged at the time and fully
demonstrated by subsequent disclosures, wuis to place the Country
so deeply and unless relief could in some other way be obtained —
so irreti’ievably in debt as to compel the whole community to demand
of the President that he should give his assent to a bill which it was
certain would be passed by the two Plouses, to extend the charter of
the bank as the only means by which it could be saved from wide
spread distress and cureless ruin ; an appeal which the bank managers
believed he would not dare to disregard and which, if disregarded,
Avoukl inevitably defeat his re-election. To make the device the more
effectual the largest portion of these professed loans was scattered
thro’ the Western States, of one of which the President was a
cherished citizen and in most of them ° since his entrance on tho
political stage he had supplanted his great rival — ^the leader of the
bank power and the long established favorite of the West. Re-
monstrances from that quarter, it was naturally enough supposed,
622
AIM Hill (’AN inS'roiIlCAL ASS(i(‘lA'rH»N,
Would product' ilu‘ dccpt'si inlprcs^.i(Ul ou tlu' minds <d the Prt‘sidi‘n(
niul of liiost* nhout him who (‘ujoyed hi-- coidhlcm’i'. Aldo to count,
ilitur lUiijorilii's in both llousi‘> tin* i'ricmls<d the i»auk did not w;is(i‘
(lu‘ir iiiiK* with unnt'ct'ssarv dchatc:. in either, rt' cr\ inn' llirir"spercln's
for tlu* 1 ‘omin^’ in of tlu* Cf /o, when tlu'V wvw itj hu \ irtu;dly ad-
dressed to tiu* pi'oplt* as llit'V knt'W iH'lbri'liaiuI tliat they ctudd not
obtain a eonsiit.ul ional majority os I'r the rt /o in eit lu'r 1 louse.
A r>ill for tlu* ri'iu'wa! the charter »d’ the hank pa ed both
bra.nelu'S of (’onii.’ri'ss notwithstanding tin* pre enee in each of a
nnijority who professtal to lu‘ -aipporlers (d‘ the 1 h’e' iilmit and of
his administration and who hml het'ii t'leetial as sueh. .Mr. Dallas,
who prt*s(*nted (he iiu*moriat of t lu' haidv, and wlui wa:> doubt h*ss a
siiicerc*! frit'iul (d‘ tin* lh*e‘dhh*nt and .-olieitou for (lu* : ueer , of his
adminisl rat iom but who felt him;i*!f in trueted by hi > Stale to ..up
p<U’l (lu* bank, frankly admitti’d (hat “the propriety id’ an appli
(nation so (*arly in (la* term <d* it • ineorjxual irm for (he removal <d’
its ch!irt(*r, dnriuii: a popular .etu-al ion in ( 'tMi‘.‘'re • whieh mu l ei‘a
to (‘xist. sonu* Vi'aiv. before (hat term expire, and on (he eu‘ of all
tlu* (*.\citi*nu‘n( iiu'idc’iit to a nreut political movement (the Drea
(k'Utial ('h*etion) struck Ids mind a- nuu’c than tloubt ful." 'Hie
lh‘(*sidi*ni> ini(‘rpoNi*d hi-, c* and (he I>ill failed for want id’ a
t.w'o-tliirds vote*.
ddu* d(*bat(* upon the consideration <d* tlu* veto me aee wa- per
haps as aide a.s any that had i*\('r <jcciirrt‘d in the Si'uatf*, in wddeh
Ixuly th(* Ibill original (‘d and wlicn* its fate \va . I here fori' to he tird
passt'd upon. Mr. <‘lay was to bi‘ tlu* opjiosition candidate a‘jcnins(
tlu*. r(*H'.h*ct ion of bres/uh'ut »lack .on ami .Mr. \\*eh ter wa eleettsi
to (ak(' the h‘ad in tlu* (ra.cm. ion on (lu* part of tlu* hank, t M’ tlu*
.sino’ular ability vutli wldudi lu* d iM*ha r;Lfed that dillietdt and re
sponsihh* duty 1 have (*lse\vheri* . poki'in lii . .-peeelu' foi* lu* ad
dr(‘ssed tlu* St‘na((‘ mori' ( ban onee, w ere mhlre,. lut at 1 ime a vow edly,
to (lu* ('onniry, and had in view (lu* aeeompli hment id’ thri'e prin
<’ipal ohji*e(s; viz: lirsi, to alarm (he thinkiim’ • oht*r ndndeil and
cons(‘rval ivt*. men cd‘ all parbus. on a»'eoijid id’ the de-potie atul un
eonst-it.iit ional doctrines whieh lu* : i>lemnly eharnvd Pre. iPiud dark
son with havin<»: avowed and maintained \\\ the /*f /o mc-si^ie. d'hoM*
parts (d‘ his ;>i;reu(. (‘tl’orts iiave already hi«en fidly notiei'd in tlu*
portions of this woiic whieh tri‘at of (lie rise and protjrev. of onr
politii'jd parties, Si*con(b to imjuvss tlu* ( 'onnlry with adcijiiate idea ;
to tlu* t*\t(*n( (d’ its imli*h(edn(‘ss to the hank of the impos. ihilit v of
paying that di*ht within tlu* period allowi*d to tlu* hank to wind up its
conc<‘rns W'itliont- tlu* sacrilici* at vwvy inti»ri‘s( (hat was worth pre
serving and to portray tlu*. vlesolation and ruin inevitahh* if (he
necessity for doing so was estaldislied, us it would la* t>y the n*-
AUTOHUHillAIMl V ( U' rvIAU'lMN VAN BUKKN.
G23
election of tlie aiiiljor of (lie vela, ThiinL (o settle tlu'. fmality ot
a decision in his Favor l»y the iK‘oph‘ U])on (he ((ueslion of hank
or no bank.
The l)ea!‘in^* oF Mr. W'ehster's ;L>*ri‘a( sptnaT upon ilu'. (irst point
has Ikhmi I repeat noliced (*!si‘\vlu‘r<‘. h'ull jusliei* can only 1 )(‘ doiu' (o
lli(' (‘onsuininal(^ ability \\hi(*li lu‘ tlisplaycal on (hat oeeasiou by
readino- his speeeht‘s. 1 invi(i‘ (he. rcMuler ((» s(tuly (lunu as well on
aeeoiint. oF (he iu(('lh*e( iial ^*ra( i(ii*a(i(»n (luw will alVord him as From
a (*ouvi(’(ion that thus lu‘ can not Fail (o In’! salislical thai ilu' in(*r(».ase
of (he bank's liiu' oF discount was matle For the purpose I hav(‘. s(‘t
Forth and that llu' ortitor had lu*(*n Fully instructtnl oF its characler
in (hat ri\a’ard iF not consulttMl in the const met ion oF llu'. plan.
I will {‘ontimt. inystdf with briid’ cxli'acts, applicable to landi of the
(wo (aii’dinal pointvs last pi-cstaitcd and which (‘lubract* tin* driFt- of his
ai’auuumt. in (hat tliri‘c(ion.
Thirty millions t)F (he ca[)i(al oF (hf‘ bank, (said In*) nw now on
loan and discount \i\ Stales on the* M issippi. Thesi^ will all hav(‘
to he calh'tl in within (hr«‘c yisn*:; and ninr months if tin* <*hart,i‘r is
not- (‘.\lcnd(‘i|. I h‘ (htai went on (o show (la* iinpract icabilily oF this
operation, and t<» pro\c ihal (h** Statt* banks woidd m»t lu* abk* to
assist in tin* payment td* (hat enormous debt. "'I besitat(* not to
sayd' In* continmnL "‘’that as this ]\fa (ravels to (In* i(. will di*
pr(‘(*iali* tlu‘ value oF (‘\ery man'll property From the Atlantic to tins
(’apital oF Missouri. Its tdr(‘cts will be Found in (In* prict*, of land,
(In* a'l'eat ainl kantiiujc article of Western prop(*r(y, In tin* prict* of
crops, in lln^ produci* oF labt)r, in the rcpre.Ksion oF {‘ulerprisc ainl in
(‘lubari’assinents oF (‘Vi*ry kind (d‘ business and occupation."
Then* was much nn»n‘ <d' the same ^lyh‘ and tendeinw but this
l)ric‘F extract (‘xhibits tin* sub tance <>F all In* ^.aid on (hat heath
In I’espt'ct to (he la.-t point the tinabty oF the decision which (In*
people w<add make at tin* (‘h'ctitm tpnm the <4n‘at issin* oF bank or
no bank, (ln*n submi((i*d to (hem by the consent- oF all parti(*s, hi*,
said :
lli.s (the l‘i'i*s|(lent'.s 1 tihjeet ittns luaiinst the \vh‘*h‘ silleaahee t)!' the law
nrlaiinilly iTtaithni tie* hank. The.\ iteny, In elVeet, (lint the hank is eeusli
tatl«nial, ttn*y <leny that it i.s expeSietil ; ttiev <h n\ that it Is iiiMTSsary lor (he
imlilie serv!<*e,
.Vyrain :
III (hi.s plaee they are -^neli a - tn t‘Mituaii-’h all Imiie that llie presinit hank
(»r any laink at all ri- emhUnr it, ‘T reacuihlin!/ any kimun similar InslKiithni,
ejin ever rereio* his appreha t jnn ; he is acahe>t tlie haiik and against any bank
eniisiituied in .a manner l.nnwn in fid - nr to any oilier Onuntry. It.
i.s now t‘ertain (h;i( i> idmiit n thtrsuh ni nar puUtir the hank will md la*
enidinnetl tier will any i*thee in* i- tal»U* la**! uldeh ae<’erdlnr lo I he r^enern!
s(*iise mT inahkind will he rniiih-d fi» ita* name, * *' (‘nrir’ress has acted
(m
AM lOlvK’AN llIS'n^KH’Ah ASSt M 1 A'J'ImN.
jiiul ils ;i(*(s IiJivt' Imh'II Iv^mI by (li»‘ ;uti{ {lii.*; ii'nuIi <*! (Iir pro-
(•(‘(‘(liiJ.Ji's Ih'H' places lh<‘ question with all its «’oanect ieu. nW n-; iiu-idcuN,
rally h 4 *rer(* lla* p(*t»ple. Such is I hi' Me -.ai.o. It itmitins uoir />;;•
Hk' (if I In' {'nihil Shitf's tfi rlmnst' htfottn flit pii)iriiihr> lint (innn'd
tDitl Ihi'ir (lori'nitni'iit. 'Vhi'Sf' nunnd stnml lutn'lfur, I'hr ant' nr ifn- nlhtr
■niKsI {)(' rvjrrti'iL If tU(' soiUnit uts nf tin l/rsNC/a /tn ire the ;/< ih ntl
(tliin'olnitiini ihr (^onslif utinn irill hurt' jitrislntld
Siu*h was the issue which Mi\ W'ehstep, as ilie ..pohesinau Ini* (itp.
l)a!ik, prt'pnred for tlu' peoph* df lhi‘ rniled Stales. Suelu with
the exception of the rhetorical hvperlaite with which tlu'v closiaK tlu'.
le^’itimate. couse({iit‘nci‘s that WiUihL in his jmliiuuqit, in (Ip* I'stipia-
tion of all liis politit’al (‘oail jiitors anil of tin* h.ank luana^crs* l!o\v
from a di'cision of tht* pt'oph* itt favor of the Prt‘ .idcu( at tla* elec-
lion then on th(^. (*vi' of ht^ine; hehl. It^ wtis with a ilisliuct nndm*
standing!,’ on all si(l(‘s that, this <Mi,^ht (o lu* (In* cll'ci’t id’ the* decision
about, to ht*. inadt* that, llu* issue so I’hairly c\‘|»laineit by Mr, Webster
wtts submitted to tin' peoj)K‘. d'o this the friends of the adiidni tra
tion, tlu’i btink mtina^H*rs* ami its jaditical .-atp|Jor(ei*s tiam fully
assented. Mr. \\h‘bsliM*'s sp(‘i*ch wu’ puldislu'tl ami thorotmhly eir
(‘uhded !it the t'Xptmse of tin* bank and the sub:4auci‘ of it was
rtMt(U’alt‘d from thi* stump in (‘ssq'v piiartiq* id’ the laml.
I Spci'iMi el’ .Inly It, is;:a. iirfdf'n-r ..i' noMt.. . \in. pi. i, tart tern.
(■lIAl''rKK' XLlil.
In coiii'so. of niy jiiitilic lift' 1 li;i\i‘ iml innf uilli iiitufhcr lu.in
M’lio ciUiK' (!]) to (}(‘ii. .Iiu'K'son'.s stiiinhinl a.-: uril in tn {In'
strcii^a-th of his iK'licI' in (lie <'(‘ftaiii(y (lint n jnililii- : nrumt Inntt- t!\
Inhoring- for (!u‘ wnll'aiv of iiis Coiiiitry wnuld ri'i-ci\i' (In- •^ron.l will
and siippoii. id' (lie people as lonjj; as (liey l•enlailM*<t ennti.lfiif ..f hi-,
inleerity as in his coiistaiU readiness (o stake his politieal reputalinn
111)011 that faitli re,i>'ardless <d' eniiseipieiiee . nieiel\ per- onal In him
soil. Silas riyld was fully his equal in hahitnal m -'afinn t>(‘ elf
in the perihrinanee of pulilie duties and in hi-, u i llinen.- to . i li..- all
he had or was on his faith in (he \ irtiu- nf tli,- peuph-, I'ut. p!"!'a|.lv
from a constitutional di trerenee in their ti-nq •< ram -ni . ie- did iini
always feel as i-i'i-tain (hat all would ."o well. ’Thai a hm-- a fh.-
people w-ere at (heir ease in r-espeet to the ■ im-ei ii\ uf thnr i i-pr .- .-uta
fives they would he predisposed to think Ihi-ni neht and f.. epp.iti
theni neeordinydy was atnon.j tin- ear-lie- 1 and tno t e,,ntiiani-d e..u
\-i('tions ol (he ( «enera I s mini I, and one oI the nnmi-ron are I 1 1 ik rnj'
fuKihnents of w ldi-h he fi-eqnently : poke (o me. ( ),i (he iH-ht of mv
(irst appearani-e a( the While Iloii.-e. after mv r-etmn from Ki.-lamh
he e.Kliihited when s( retehed on a .-.iek hed a speed, • in phi, n-d appi-u
anei' hut as always a hei-o in ;;pii-il an iinpi-e ive din tradou of Ida
profound and unspeakahle (ru.t iir (!,.• pi'ople, lloMme ui\ hind m
one of his own anil pa.sdiiy^ the other thi-o' l,i Imm ulute lo. ie h.-
•s, -rid, with thei-learest indication, of a mind e,,mpo . d, .md it. a ton,-
eidirely devoid of pas.sioii or hlu-ter "the l.ank, Mi. \ ait linren ,
trWup^ to kill me, /,»/ / „•/// /■;// ,7.'" X, hefme tin f,u,e hue I
referred to (his leatni-e of (hat deeply inteie (inp utleiij. e e'...,.pt
in the priva<-y of family intei-i-oui-.-ie, and I hai,- heerr oh-h p.e-.enred
from doine: so hy an appr-chen.sion (hat e.-eai.d hearer of the t ,te
merit, neither lutdrt-.sl.-tnditip (he man nor eon-.et- ant witii the order-
of events, miplit infer (hat ire had I eontrolled 'ir hr dm-.d.
with (Ire hank hy ntremh-d i-ei-onal feelin." mferem-e uhn-i. I
know as well as stieh a thin"- .-an he known „„„ld he nithoot tie
slif--h(e.s( lonmlatmn in d-nih. If a wi i, t,. propidate the h.ud, or to
avoid .(s imsdhiy ha. I me.- h,-.... .•nleriarn.-.i hi inn, he mmJ.t haie
«rafilie.| rl at any rnmnent aft.-i- hr a.-.-, - ion i,, {h,i he i. nl
lOT.sa -JO
M)
\ i. jh
AM1'.UI<‘AN A ■< H I
(> 2 (>
(nkt'U his slain! upnii (hi* piir linn nf ilh- • mui fuuaina^ i»| th:i{ iustitu-
lioii lu*inr<‘ il I'nlrit'il upon tin* fum- r !n*’h drt*v. friun him (h,.
\V(»rds I ha\t' <jUoltMi, amt in thtau lit- uttri iiirr (ti hi ; non-
snion.^imss of ami hi*- tli'toi iuinal iun t‘> «n‘h*:n U «!»* iv*u in tin* • nlnn-
lion of tlu‘ timn for Urn pm- fiitat i* »u it umiuurlal a il.* i;'ii miIj.
siaiiiially mhiiillnd hv Mr. PaUa- rMimi la* pir -nin*! \i, t )rii, Jark-ajn
was not llir man in tin' pin’ftvi'inann.' lii puMin .lutir ami uptni a
|L»aH‘at piiljlir ipirslittn (o olu*y tin* Inthn-mr i>l an> Uinrol\ pmvimal
niolivt's, < )n tluM’onlrary t lM>rt»u*‘hl\ intinirh, .1 1 h:i\r hriorn sai.l,
\vi(h (1 m* ri*(*lili<t's r { hr p(»li( it'a 1 .-h.*.*! «»! v. hmli Ir* hacj hrfm an raiiy
arahualt*, lir was, frntn {lit* lu'yinniu'n pmli p«. r*! araui t (ijr rt.m.
t inuaiM’i* of all iuMitnlitm liln* (hat up»»n uhit'h it ua uir\i(ahlr that
ho s\oiil«l hn rallrtl io ati oiliriallm aiut iM»t rt’im^ hi %\:i\ rl.air to
sli’ip i(- of i(s oh jrri i.mahlt^ fraf ni'r . In* .* ‘h.h ilr*atlrii «tppi» $• if ; ru*
inrorporat ioiL 'Hiis rr ohitiou h«* v. a I'arlna' U^l (,» mlupt hy
Ihulin^ hinisrlf at oma* Mirroumir<l 5*y thr lui irr u?f!ot‘m*r u hii’h lu\
Innl hr(*n taiudil to look nprm a ■ pruiniorni a!ijMi3*» th»* «lair*iTom;
t‘k*nH*n(s of its powrr. na\Inii; arrhr.! at (tiat ri»iM*hr ii.n hr pr'o
rr(‘ilr(l to \vha( hr. t*oUsl»h*rrii a hnty in thr : puat au-l v. nh (hr ronii-
<lrm’r ch' snpp“ii. tVoiu thr ptu.jjlr hv uhirh hr puhtiral t««ur r was
<lisl ina‘nis!M‘«l thrnm»hon{, foil • whirh h.ol hrm pr»'a»i vith ;if
iniirli ai‘( and labor and ro: f (t. turn hoo iVmu (hr path h«* had rh.r.fu
and (o d<‘..troy him i I' hr pi‘i’- i tml in it v.rr«* ta n lo d 1 rm-ath his
imdaiinird tr(‘ad. Not w il Ir t andinr thr hum** \utr thrv : rrmrod in
mosi offlir Nni’lhrrn ami Ma^trrn Stair - and r prrialh in Nrw Vurk,
thronp:h (hr aid of (hr (.roroia Mi lonarv iiopo ttur, ud’ whi»’h I
ha\‘(* rl.srwhrri* spokrii } (hr hank lorr.* wrrr hratrii at r\rrv point'.
Nol. Ofdy War^ Prr-iilrnt ilark on rr rha-lrd hy an o\ .Twhrhnlniu^
niajori(y .nrr Mr. ('lay. (hr hank ramhd lOs I uf in ..(hod (hr nm t
unmi^‘^ akahk* r\iih*iH'r of (hr drt»‘rminat ion .4’ t!ir pniplr not (i>
iiiakr i hr rhanm* in our puhlir «-nunril . ” witiniut wliirh Mr, W'rhdrr
had im irdrd that thr prr riif hank wuuhl no{ !ir rt.ni njur.! mu’ woiihl
(!H*r(* hr (lit* .' liyhtr^t .‘hams* foi- any hod. “ vddrh. ari-iirtliu;» (u (hr
ii'rnrral srir-t* iif mankind would hr riititlrd in tin- oaiard* tlirv, at thr
.saint* ( iint*, rh‘rtrd to thr rruinl nlhi’r in thr (ho rrnmrnt t hi* u ritrr t»f
tht‘Sr pa‘jfr;\ who hatl pun* farthrr titan it wa . prrhap. allow ahlr to
(hr Prr.‘ idt*n( , hy r<*a.snn td* hi . oHirial pr.- ition, to p. in (hr pi tuuulpi
(ion of inMjnali(it*tl oppositi.iu t.. fhi* iriidn ldir\ ako rt^ltirnnl in tin*
popular hranrh oT tin* Lrphislaf tu*r ii majority who. tudikr ihrir
pr(‘ih‘rt*sstuy, wrrt* not. mrrriy muniiially hut Itrartih* amnn I thr.
rontlmmnrt* of dm hank and who, whtui a iltfintr opportunitv was
prrsrntt'ih m’rt*(rtt all iinpas.sahlr h:irrit*r annum t it- furthrr pmsua^.s
towards du* arrnmpHshnM*nt <d" itsohjisMs.
Surh was thr rrsnii of dm lir.st rnntpaipi in what wa^ (‘alird (hr
hank war. ( )f (In* dis(inr(m*-s of ( la* ir; ur upon whirl) i( waswaigrtl,
AITTOBIOCaiAPllV OK MMVVVN VAN BUKKNr,
(527
the nniforinity of (U)osiru(‘tion plactul upon ii. by all parli<‘s, anil of
their ea^'eruess for ih(‘ (i‘ial I have already spokiMi. In ri'speet to
the iiiUMjuivoenl ehara(‘fer of (he decision of i h{‘ peopli* upon (ho
points submitted to tlieim theiv. was no room lor and no adimipt. at
eavil. TTn fairness in (lu‘ elei‘tion, the common excusi' id* a defeated
parly, vvas in (his instamv. not evim preiimded. The will of (ho
peoph' in reo-ard (o the bank liad lu‘en most, clejirly expressed on its
own ai)i)eal and aceordin^ to (he forms of (he const it ui ion.
The only (piestion that presented itself for (he dei'isioti <d‘ (hat in™
stitutioip and the result has allbi-ded a melancholy d(Mnonsi rat ion
of the inoment.ous importance of (he (|ues(ion as well to (hi* j^ood of
the, (‘ountry as (o the intm'ests of the stockholders and deb(t>rs <»f
(he btink, was wh(‘(lii*r it would submit, (o that will, thus solenudy
aunounce.il and in a foian so olilia’atory, or whether i(. would com-
(imie th(‘. war. Wo have seen wind. wei‘e. (he promises made, in its
behalf l)y its <^i‘ent. leader, when he ui’^ed an early decision of (he
main issue,, pi‘omisi‘s which were also viriually made by (hi* bank
i(s(*lf in its memorial (o con/^p'css for an extension of its charter.
Till*, hank,**’ it said, should liave as much time as po^i /tble to
(‘\(‘cu((* (111* duly, always a very delicale and diHicull one, (o aid the
community in seeking new channels of busines:;, and by <rradna! and
^•entlc* movements to pi’css with the l(*asl iuconvi‘nience on the *xrcat.
interests comu*cted with it.'’
I>(‘ror‘i* (hi* (*l(*ction no om* airect(*d (o doubt (he inti*nlion of the
liank to wind up its concerns if (lie di'ci-aon .should hi* airainst it.,
d’hi*. ri*asons whicli I’endered that course oblia;atory need not to be
reea])!! idaleih 'Fhcy are clear to tin* apprehension of all who are .sin
cere friends (o our inst it n( ions and to (he jjfreai jmineiph* on whieli
(hey art* founded t hat of t he so\ i‘reii»;n(y of (hi* poptdar will, l^pon
(host* who u!’t‘ not. they would be ur^ed in vain. 'The ouHad sa^in^ to
till* inti'i’csts of tlu* country and t<» (hose of (lu* r.t oekhohler.s and
ci’(‘di(ors of tlu* bank and to the eharaeter of all coin’erned (hat
would ha\e heen madi* if the hank managers had pi*rforinc<l (heir
duty in (his ri‘spi*e(, is now at h‘a.s| well unde!>*lood, and r adly con
fessed. Hu( (lu* supporiers of (hat. iustiiufion, of c\cry hue, deeidi*d
odierwisi*, and, swayed al(t‘rua(ely by (hi* '"rule oi* ruin" ."piril <d'
(xd ideal paiiisanship and by tlu* desperate liopes lar.ejl on (he chances
(hat mi.ichl pi‘(»*cn( Ihemrclvc'. in (be conrs* id* (be slrnpLde they de
ti*rmined t o subject, both i^ov ermiuml and peoj)h* to a rei’kle-s, unsern
pnloiisand in jurious cxereisi* of (he inmicnsi* power of the baid. until
hot h should ^.(lbIni( (o i(s demands, d'hi . is a \ f*ry pra\ e areij.*-a( ion, one
which, in connccdon with (he in{*an . hiTea ft(*r charped to ha\i‘ bt‘(*n
employed (o carry that most. i*\t raordinary det ctaninul hm into ctrect,
conv(»ys impuiadoir^ which, if now for (lu* tir t time hrou^f'ht for
ward, would vcr\ |>ropcrly be received with didres; if not with di.s
I-
0,28 AMKKK'AN illSTnKltAAL A n I \ n* » N ,
Sill isTact ion. r>nt .au’li i - iH>t th^* wta'i* riilly,
and in t(‘riiis Tar mort' than tho r htni* u <*ii, inadf ai'::iin t ila»
hank in nlliaial pupars prcnauMlim^" Troin tla- rha*!’ Ma;n iiaita <«[ th^
aonntr\‘ and rroiu othar hiu'h I’Arauii^a hiini umari** , in tla* rrpia’i .,
of .standing; <’otnini(tt'as oi' t!u‘ uali‘ui:d laai l.iUtrr and tlu’ou'di llu^
pul)lia pi'a^s, and warr in turn rf]K‘lh'd. mi- l•^pi:l iia-d, a ht* t ilu^y
could Iks in (lia manifadoa^ id’ th‘* hank, in ruuut*'r la-pnil , pm.,
aaailiii^; in j^oiua instunaa^. frtau .dinilai* Mur^i- and in (ha i'mIihuus
of IVicnidly ntuv.spapiU* . Mor't»o\ ar tha t*ountr\ ha hau*' inaa pa sad
upon IIh‘Iii also, and 1 am not mdnp; farther than iho truth u dl jus
(ify, in as.suinini»: that it.-* jud^t^inant \\a our nf ‘ oiidaninat !oju luara
and irnu crsilda, anain^-^i thu hank.
U is now inora than a ipiarttu* id’ a aanturv Inaa iha.a Iran art ions
.jiM’aurnsh d'lit* iidara^4> out of \Nhioh tla‘y praiu* \iA\r ara ad tn
1 h‘. oparativi* and the pa-' ’ 4011 % and prj'jutliur h\ u!u* h tin- aiior.
in tIuMu wi*n' inlluauaad iia\i* in a iuoal mra urr uh idrd. It \ . at
a momani so auspiaioirH to truth that 1 propn r ma to rf .traui* tha
(jUi'stions whii'li ^'raw otd of thmu, nor to aiuuavjfr m anirimrati'
tin* tndura ami tamlanas of the tran^suiiun . tiiriu * i\r i,r of the
ino(i\‘as of tlii‘ partii'.-^ to tluau, hut situply to tato tin- ra r thry
prasant, tridy and a. impart iallv a 1 »au, (t» riumui- at fra i in a
da.arai* the oh;;auri(y (hat I tun* ami (ha forma fidm* u hr»'rd havt*
s[>rfad (uiu* (h<*m and to <!o m\ part fo\'.:ird prf{«ar;n»‘ thmu for
lhair plant' in history, do do thi i not on)) a i Jtdd <‘on'Uncm (o all
hut. a ri/^hl. whiah, on tho part of ihoNp who h:A*- po rd oppor*
tunilii’s ^upl‘rior (o tho u of the iranrrality id’ thrii* hdlo\‘, riti/ni'
for jiar forminr^ it, hn-oma , from that aon iihuatuui atom*, a dut).
\\ill it ha uskrd, why ra\i\i’ tin* rsoolh-ff iom ni all thmr orirnnal
s[larplu*^;s of out line, id’ -amr . oma* mi di <*radital»h‘ ainl o dr^ra^
in.tr why rank to arrard tin* oh iairit) ulurh i fttiinn upon thnu
why not sidVai' tliaiu (o hr forp»ttrnf 'l lir unsun^ to lU'U rrflri tionN,
sliotdd tlii'V oat'iir to llu‘ rrailns arc numrrou-., ropriu, and tnaoU'
( ro\ r rt ihla.
Xavar, aitluu' in time of paani or in a tata of pni.lii* war, was
(his (nuntry so I horoii^»'hl\ rointd-iaf, na\rr hrforr wa. the \it;d
[irinaipla that of (he* Muemai^ddy of the popular will whirli lie.
at ilia foundation of free »ro\ arninmit and without (hr rofnjd<*ta
pnvMTvat ion of whiaii smdi n ^o\ariunaid, howiuor plan ihiv aon
strindish is nothin^- more tlmn an empty pratair.a, so rriouslv man
[ir(‘d, m'ViU* lu'fon* ware our ninlariul intarad ; so -avriah aud wan
(only iiijuratl as tliay ware hy the sin'aas-^ivt* struiirirlr . of tha sn'oinl
Ihndv of tin' rnitad States to obtain a nunuval of it- I’hartar.
Those who lived ut that day and ware aonvrrsant witli ]mldia.
•' MS. VI, \i, an.
AUTOBIOOUATMI V OK MABTiN VAN lUTHKN.
029
afluirs know that all tli(‘ In’anclu's of ilu‘ IA‘([(‘ral ( Jovornuu'ui -
Executive, Legislative, imhI fhalicial- as well as Ihose of (h<' Static
(lovorniuents \vi*rc j>i’ofonn(lly agiiateil Ivy those stniggh*s. 'l'lu‘y
obtruded themselves into all the ramilieatioiis of soeit‘ty, slual their
baleful in(liu‘nc(‘. upon all its interests and for a season susptmdcal,
if they did not perinamuiMy weaken the rec^ognition of sonu' of its
most vital ol)iigations. Is it. to be exi)e(*ted timt transactions so
disturbing in (heir euadnient and pre^gnunt with consecpumces so
vast can I)e ignored in the liistory of tlu' (\>unti\v'^ This would
}iot be praeticaible if it. were <l(‘sii*}ible, but it is n(‘itht‘r. Erroneous
versions of them would unavoidal»ly usurp ilu' pagt's of history, if
])ains were not taken to maintain the truth in respe(*t to them, 'bo
this end (‘Very botut fulc elfort d(\ser\’('s, on the contrary and should
receiv(‘ tlu' (‘omnumdat ion of the comuumity. To jna,k(‘ siudi an
eifort is oiu' of the ob](‘c{s (vf this work. I f‘ 1 fail to state tin' truth
in i’t*specl. to (hem otlu'rs will corn'cl tin' (‘rrors intfj which 1 may
fall. A rc‘ga]*d for tlu* intiuvsts of truth will, of ilst‘ir, bt‘ a jaif
(ici(*nt motivt' to induc(‘ th(‘in to assume that duty, f(jr (h(‘ mass of
imm pi*(‘f(*r nay lo\'(‘ tiu' truth wht‘!i no sinister or s(*lli.sh objl*^t^; arc
to h(‘ pi’oiuot(*d by its p(‘rvt*rsion. 'Tlu' tiiiu' lias arrivt‘d in ri‘r:])cct
to tii(‘si‘ t i*ans;u‘t ions when no such olvjects (’an lu‘ thus advauci’d.
Most of th(* mim at wluisi* doors th(‘S(* exc(‘ss(‘s W(‘n‘ laid are in
tlaur gravi's and thi' hnv who arc still hdt on llu* politicad stage,
standing lik(‘ lua’cls shukmi by tlul winds, art' divt'sted t»f all par
i-isan vitality. d'lu‘ political parly that was rtv-ponsihh* for (h(‘nu
heeause. it jusiilied arul .sought to sustain them, itself (‘xtim’t,
utitu’ly,, hop<‘lcssly extinct, Ibu-t' and then* may, pnssihly, ht' still
found a ftnv homt‘lt‘ss spirits stacking to revivify its dry lames, Imt
(h(‘ attcmipt will pro\t' futile,
I'or tlu^ acts of which 1 am nhoul to sptaik, howt'vtu* rnouit'ulous
iu their day, thtu’t' is, tlu'ivfort', no longtu’ t'ithcr jnu’Muml or jiar
iisan responsihility, or intm’t'st in (heir misreprt'st'Utalinn or misinter
pn»(ation, T!u‘ initli in rcspi'ct to them must at souu' time la* told,
and with (hat all slmuld, as all must ht* .sutisiic'd, whatt‘vt‘r may lu*
its enVet upon the fame of thos(* who luive goia* InTon* us. It Is
right timt it should be so. Tlu* aphorism f/c ninrt\ti\ uU //vV bt^uiim
is douhtless foumh'd in llu* most hiimam' principk*.;, and, wlum (‘(jr
rectly interpr(‘t<‘d, its ohservanci' is luviiorable; it docs not however
apply to a casi* of tliis charuct(*r. When tlu‘ ruh*. is rcstricttal to
tlu* j)i‘!’sonaI infirmitii's and privati* \ i(‘(‘s df num 1 for oiu* am (’on
((‘lit (hat it. should n’ceive the in(erpri‘tntinu which its W(jrds im
poi’t, Th{‘ denunciation of such defects when thoM* who w(U’{' sub
j(*ct (.<) thimi ai’e no nmn* may, (Umbtlcss, on occusiouN, la* madi*
useful to the after gcneratiims^ but the annoyunct* to tin* living
ami.iiii’an ui.''r"i;ii m. a-- '" i i vri"^.
(>;!()
urisiiiii; it is it ;i‘l\ . :uv »» ufttMi
|»r()Mrni:i(i«‘nl a- In ivn«li‘r tlu* rxim itai nf ihr » h,iril\ of ilm.v (n
ollViua's uf that th‘ (’rt pt inn lu* iunv;i .u riti.s* t.. th.* Ml,M,Hity
ami immunity of thr Ihu wlwn t*n‘‘ v/ijm tMutln. i lurMuu^s
(lu* suhjiH'l tjf aninuiiU <•!’ ion loi- tla* puith*- in {!;«• mattrr in
which liis a<'tion is impcachcih a% the jvpiv ,nnat'\o ..f hi -nuiiirv
iiKMi i)V of a portion {>r them, the mca inv ami itnratum of hi - iv
sponsihility with r<*a tHi ami ju tmo a nmr a \\-y\ »t;hri-rut rum
plnxium in such tacc:- tin* rule uhi<’h n\empt . Imm p^ iMUial \v
spolisihilitv the rt*pn‘ amtat i\ e who re cm^ hi et»nntm imm pr<*at
inuah howsoever il!(\r:al ^lu* meaim !»> wlhn^h if alvatitm is iw
i'oiuplisluHh sii/us ptipuli y attaehe t<» hr; mi »l»’»nh,
in tui‘u uiul with etjual juNliee, an account aluht \ Irnm whieh the
acts of private men arc <'\einpte»h 'hhat no sueh i^srmption ran he
elainiiMl for (In* comhict {»!’ public unui for nlliinal malhsi atiee is
now (In* r(*ci*iviHl opinitju f»r tht‘ worhl. It i iutrii' tuic to witne* •.
the extent (o whieh lUi^ prim-iple of re pon alter heatli to
11h‘ puhlit* opinion ui' tin* 'Uuaiviu*^ iu* of remn'atmns,
ilisiwinef aftm* it the unreser\e«i ile.eln nre o| mem thnu^ that ap
ptu'lains to or will muw<* to t*\plain the aet . am! motni*. of theii*
puhTu* men iti pa^l ilay i' now earrieil In Isnrhuih the n\\\\ emm
(rv iu iMU’opt* whtu’e (In* pre s i really free: to fe puwite eahinet i
and NiMTet deptrsitorie , formerly o trietl\ nuardf-d apaln f the
itdiaision of iinjni' itivc <*ye' , now freely earehet! tie* mo t prnate
rt'eords, eonrultuitial hUteiN and e\crv dt»einuent that ran throw
up<m (In* past intre* ervettly iriveu to tie* puhtie for the himetit
of tin* livhp^s The (tpinion- tfm manife-teij a*-, to what t <’on i tent,
with sound polilieal I'thie - eotm* friUn a our* e entitler! to our respet't.
If theri* arc feature' in (he Knnli h \ tem of which \sv do not ap
prove we mti: I neverl holes-- admit and admit e the puritv ami iidelity
to tliily whh’h i* (heri* exactinl from {luhlii* men. d he prepatation
and puhlientinn of triu* uectunU.. ttf the pioeerdin,**-. we are ahout
to d(‘S(’rihe ai’i* thu- nothing more than act . of ju lice fi» the reputa
tions of the ilislinntti hetl men wlm took paii in (item ou une side
or another, and at the aim* time, of the oiinde ,t pohe\ ui re pee(.
(o thoM» who eonie after U' . d'iu* luemorlen of tho e who eXpo ed
( iKUluselve-i to perse«Ut iem hy pursuing the conrse whieh proVerl (o
hi' tiu' ri^L’^ht one -houi«l \h* ihily honored fur their pat tint i tin their
in(t‘^ri(y and their intelli^ema* nml it is no le-. , ri^Tt tliat thoo'
who de\()(e{l their faiudties ami their inilitmiee to an oppo ate [)oli«-y
sliould hear the odium of tlieir misileeil-, Sueh an* and «iupdu to la*
the conditions ipmn which mmi {mli*r into puhlie life and asaime
puhTu* trusts, certuinly under all ):^<wernmentr. that claim to he free.
'riu‘ just, apportionment of praise ami etnisure amoujur the at'tor iu
(hose transuetlons is espeehilly due to the (‘oimtry which hore tin*
AITTOBIOtillAlMlV OK MABTIK VAN’ BUKKN.
()3I
brunt of tlio evils that wei’o ])ro(liici‘(l )>y them, ami whirlu if ever
a^^ain exposed to similar trials, mav thus liavt* tlu^ Inoudil of t-hc
lesson and the warninii: upon those on whom thi'. admiuist ration
of ])iihli(‘ alVairs may ehanee, in sueh a (‘risis, to hav(‘ (h'volved.
The (|Uest'.iou of a national hank has hiam, in all its pliasi's and at
all times, oiu' of tlu' most disturhin/jt: eharaetcu’s in our his(tu*y. Tlu^
oecasion of whi(*h we speak was the fourth on which tlu'. Country
has been aptated with es[)eeitil violeiU‘e by its appt'ju’anec', on I lie
legislative stage. The extent to whic’h o\ir national couneils wtua'
shaken wJien the snhjeet was first, inti'odiuvd, with othtu‘ and kin>
dred devices from the fertile genius of Alexander Ilamiiton, will
never Ix^ forgotten; the second arose at. (Iu‘ (‘Xpiration of the chart (U'
of tlu‘ first bank, when a sc'.ven' struggle was made for its nmtoval —
a sti‘uggl(‘ in which its p(‘tilion (o (\)ugr(*ss was attcutiptial to In*
sustained Iiy means ami inllu(‘nc(‘s similar in spirit, t.o ilmse aflt‘r
wards resorted to, ]}ut without sue<H‘Ss; (In* third at tin* {‘.slal^lishment
of the s('(‘ond and la.st hank, tlirongli an hom‘sl htii mi.‘”i(aken impixr;
sion, on the pai*!- of th(‘ \drjuous Madison, of IIm' nt'cc.siiy of siu'h
an iuslitution, and, lastly, tlu‘ litU’ee conllict now llu* snl)je<i td’ (mr
r(*vi(‘w, ;ind in which as a national institution it was, it is to In*
hopi'd, finally ovtu’thrown. W'hether anotlun* attmnpt to cstahH.‘,h
a, national hank will !k' made* and, if so, how soon, arc (|U("*tinns
which no man will undertake to answtn* with coniiihnnas There
are. eei’tainly many wdio think that tin* subject, will ut'vm’ again be
r(‘viv(‘<l and this is a consummation devoutly to Ih' wi'ditab Hut
wlu‘r(‘ was tin* politii’al prophei who, in iHll, wlnm the <(U(‘stion <jf
(he removal of tin* ehar((*r of thi* first liank was d(*t*idect and, as was
at tlu^ tinn* snppos(‘d, finally di‘cid(*d in (In* m'gatiw hy the casting
voto of (Jeorge*. (dinion and wlu'ii a largi* majoi*ity of the people,
said of his <*ota'.s(* “ U(*ll done, good and faithful .^ervaid ! would
Inna* had (he lioldm*ss (o pr<*die( (hat it wendd he rt‘vived and a m^w
iialiona.] hank (‘stablished in iSKl, h*ss than fom* y(*arN a fterwards'^f
!Csp(‘cially would such a prediernni hav(* !H‘en deemetl pt'epo.N(er<nr^j
if it. liad l)e(*n alsf> assnnn'd that a ri'sidl, appareiitly s() improhabhs
would he brongld ahoni. l)y ilu* eon.^(*nl ami appro\a) (d* damioi
Madison! Mr, \Vt*bster indt*(*d ass(*vi*rati‘d that a national i)ank
was an "'ohsoh‘te idea''' hu(. i( is to nn*, not at all likely that tin*
pro))osition was di(*tat(‘d hy a si*tlled (jpininn founded on a eompari
son of tin* fa<*ts oT the past with the |>robal»ilit ii‘S of lhi* fntnri*.
1 )isa))point(*il and dee])ly morliIi(*d as In* was by tin* failure of tin*
(‘Xagg(*rated estimate lu* Ir.nl Formed of (In* inviucihiliiy of a giunit
inoiu*y po\V(*r willing to diwott* all it ; means to (hi* ai’coinplislmn'id.
of its ol)j(‘ets, it. is, to my mind, mm-h nion* probable (hat tin* iii*clara
'■ MS. VI, I», 'Bi.
032 A i\l KH I ( ‘A N i 1 1S1’( n ; I ( ’ A L ASSt U M A'rn > \ .
lion IkuI iis iti a dasiro (n luail ralr/ta as l;ir aiul :is lust as;
|)()Hsil)lt\ ilia oiliuni wlTu’li he atui his partv ha«l tlrauu ujMin llaaii
salvos by tlioir unsrnipuhais supp(>rt ol thr l»aiik.
It may turn out thai. (lu* itK‘a oi' (ht‘ UM’lulnr-; *»t’ iifh an iustita
tion liashoonsoditirouiA'hlyoxphxIatl in thi- ( 'ouiit ry as lt> pn*\fiil any
atti'iupi a( its i-o-ostahl isliinoiU anioiiii: iis; iait \vt' ha\o im , nllicionl
roason for assuming;: su<‘h a i‘(‘sul(. as taniaiiu imr aihajiiat o nmi i\ . Inr
oX[)()sini»’ oui’sol VOS, in (his iH'pirtl (<» (In* pru\ot’bia! Inr/aial (»! pnlit
ioal (‘iirnmts and spi'ouhd itms. Our ptditioal .‘AnIoiu may lu- - aid
to ho in onmparison with (»{hi*rs, ytd in its inlanry, hut w^v ha\t‘ had
sutli(‘i(*nt (‘Xp(*ri(*no(‘ iuul(*r it (o sati. fy ns tlnu wi* can Udt i‘\p(*('(
oniption IVom those \ ibr;di<nis in (In* ni<i\t*inonts oi‘ pnblio qiu^ninn .
and o\(‘n(s whi(*h liavi* s<» Inriy; luum w it ni*> s<'tl under fUln'r and nider
iirsi it id ions \'ibr’a(imis ansWiU’in/;*; to (lin e ',\ hieh are exhibited in
most, of iia(nrt''s works and siu’vin^ to eonlinn the nnerrin‘‘f truth of
tlamhadaral ion of the wi’C t of men that 'Mhe thin*^ that hath be^n
it is i hat wliieh shall bix and lln*ro i * im m*w I hin?r nmler t he iin."
Having said thus mnoli in didermoT to a feeliny; \\hieli, infertile
loss, mi^id voj*y widl not hav(‘ arisen in tlu' biaaid of any re;nlei*, \m‘
w'ill continue our pro;Li:i’oss towards tin* (’omnaamemmit «d’ tin* Panle
Hi'ssion/'
Tilt* (‘Xp(‘i‘| at ion so (’(adlilimt ly iiMlnlyeil by the tepnblirau iippurl
(‘rs of ( be mlminist rat ion that (he bank unidd Mtbmil to the deei ion
tliat bail Inam made on it:- appeal and tlu‘ di ;ippoin(na*nt tbe\ e\
biliilt'd at a dilVermit result v\ere more eretlifalde to their politiea! ; in
(•m*i(y than to thi‘ir : asjcaeity in is. 1 1 mat inn tlie de !;,m of parts leaders
and of eiu'porate bodie*. If tin* di (inrftii bed rounder of the papei^
systmn in tlie Ibiited Statixs had de\o(iMl his power , and hi time (ti
tlie work (d' infusin/j: into the iir-t national hank the larm* ( • han* of
his own impalienei* id’ popular re- traiut he euuld not have nnde it
mori‘ host ili‘ to (he ‘xovinanuent of numher . t h:m ui’U la rye monied in
st itut ion.s art* by (he imperion law of t heii' nat ui'e-;, not* ean the infer
onei’S drawn hy tin* haidv in favor of its alulity (o sustain it elf in neh
n eon((‘s( as (htil on whieii it had r•e^:ol\lMb aftm* a eotujiari on of it ,
moans witli those* of the (Jovornment, la* (Imnyhi a,s oxtravayant as
soiin* may havix upon a : uporlii'ial view of (he mat ter, mippo’ ml. \*o(
oontoniftlaliny: any aetion that would justify the applieatioti tif tiie
military arm of (he ( h)Vi*rmnen( (o tin* bank or its ;.uppor(iu ttn*
laU(*r looked to a struyyli* in witieh none but eivilian-. wmdd partioi
pate* ami, thus re'yardiny: it, none* <-an fail to p(*re<M\e‘ how largely the
J‘{*soure’e‘s (In^ hank e‘X(‘t'e‘dod those* of (he ( ieiv (‘riinnuit . Ayaiii; f
(In* oHie’e'rs holding Iln*ir e*e>mmissions at tin* pl(*aMn*o of tie* lattm* a
body thoujLCht to posse‘.ss nnieh po\V(*r but m*V(*r half so <‘Hieient as it i .
])(jpuhirly rated the bank had at its e*ommaiid a far moi-e puissant
AUTOBIOGRAPHY OP MARTIN VAN BUREN.
633
force in “ the train-bands of commerce ” and was much better supplied
than its assumed rival with the means of enlisting, stimulating and
relieving those whom it mustered into its service. A statement of the
respective amounts of money and funds convertible into money which,
at the period Ave speak of, were passing thro’ the hands and, in various
degrees, under the control of the respectiA^e governments of the coun-
try and of the bank, Avill seem to the reader at first sight, marvellous;
it is nevertheless vouched by official and authentic reports of both
parties. The balance in the National Treasury, at the commencement
of the “ panic session ’’ was between four and five millions, the receipts
from all sources for the year between 31 and 32 millions and the
estimate of the accruing revenue for the year, from Avhich it did not
viiry imich, amounted to between 32 and 33 millions, whilst the annual
ojierations of the bank in discounts and foreign and domestic ex-
changes and according to its own published statements, at the same
period amounted to three hundred and forty one millions of dollars,
and it had on deposit a yearly aA^erage in its vaults of six millions of
(Iollai‘s belonging to the Federal GoAwnment, besides the deposits of
iiidiAuduals. The revenue of the United States Avas in due time ap-
propriated by la AY to specific purposes, but Avhether this was or was
not done the President could not use a cent of it, until after the pas-
sage of a laAv authorising him to do so, without exposing himself to
the penalties of impeachment; and of the national legislature, by
which alone such an act could be passed, it is not too much to say
that a majority in one of its branches — the Senate — were the de-
voted partisans of the bank. The public money subject to the indi-
vidual control of the President was that portion constituting the
secret service fund, which was limited to fifteen or twenty thousand
dollars. The extent of control Avith which the President of the bank
Avas clothed over its immense funds, at that particular period, will
be seen hereafter. I may say here Avithout hesitation or hazard, that
as to any amount of them that could in any way be so directed or
applied as to promote the object of the bank his authority was not
subject to embarrassing restrictions of any kind.
It was, I doubt not, under some such views of the relative powers
of the two governments that the resolution to compel an extension of
the charter of the bank, by the arbitrary exercise of those with which
it Avas armed, was formed after the Presidential election of 1832.
Among the great men who filled conspicuous parts in the attempt to
carry that resolution into effect Nicholas Biddle, then President of
the bank, and Henry Clay, the leading member of the Senate of the
United States, exerted far greater influence than any of their coadju-
tors. Mr. Biddle represented, upon a claim of authority which has
never been publicly questioned nor its exercise condemned, the entire
A M ]•: K ! ( 'A N in S'r( mu t ' U , ASSt U * I AM’ 1 1 ) N‘.
034
intorosis of tlio Imnk, ifs s((»fk holdfis :\iu\ till hn \v(mh‘ cnnciM'iuMl in
its siuH’Css and (!u‘ nnaui-*; ii imjsscmmmI luc I’arrvin;.^ <mi Hm* (’(iuU'nI in
whinh tiiay, ilin bank and \{> jMililirnl partisan su'Vr alnjiit (n ma-
baric~--mcans wilhont (he suffporl (d* widn'h Ibry fonld nut !{;iv(\
lioptul lo snia‘i‘ad.
K<(uallv vaiii and lH)p(d(‘-is unidd I la* .^IrniA^ir hasi* bm-n willmiii.
(lin a(‘tivc co-oihm’uI ion of ilu* politiral parly toward ; whitii, althnu;ji'h
i< laid b(MMi d(dVa((‘d, l\Ir. (May orcupird (bf iuip<» iiiy ivlati<»n oT its
candidalo for llu‘ Pri‘sidi‘iuA\ and t>M‘r wbirh bo I'XarUal a banba’-
shij) <d‘ iiniisnal absolutism and witlmiit ITr. ronrurronoi^^ tluM’oforiU
that coojju'rat ion couKl not havo bcim ‘laainab M'brri* wa. injibiiiii;
in tbi‘. plan of opt'rai ions, which wa^ tl(‘vi-ftl :\y, ilu* one be t ailaptrd
to t hi‘ !'(*spiM‘t i \'e roiiditioiis «d tlu* baid% aiul it ■’ political .‘Upport er*;,
that- was iMthin* i’(*ptdsivc to Mr. (May's fcelinp'.. or tit!u*rwi calcnlat-
i‘d t(^|>rc\i‘nt him fiaan mubarkino’ in it. WMietlnu’ it fir^t : nnire.,,1 jtni
came. IVom Mr, liiddli' or from hinr elf will probably ne\t*r bf kmovn.
Its charactiM' rt‘tli*ci(al thi‘ bittiT and di appoiiUctl eniotitm e\<*itct|
bv thi' aiU'crsi^ n‘sidi of the elect i«m, ovi‘r whieli both were brootliny,
anil it- was <|ui(e as likidy to hau* ori'dnated in thi' bitai i of one a ;
of {lu‘. otluM*. In llrmni‘ss, intelligence ami general capacii\ both
wer(‘ imlindy equal to (lu* paii . they were e\]>ei‘leil to perform in it:;
(‘Xeiaition. Mr. (May pos es ial :i imae-ure «if phy ical and moral
I'oiirap' and of I’laidiuess to a time re pon ibilit\ appioaehiny If not,
<‘qua Hiui!,' t hat imi\'er.sdly i*onceiled to hi: irreai riNul thm. daeleon.
Mf*. niddle was a proniimait member <d* a hiyldy re peciable f.amily
lone; cn‘ditably I’onneetcd with the public etwice, in war a ; widl as
in p(‘ace: a family which, from an eai’ly time in our In torys oc-
cupied a disl in^'iiished po ition in ;o(*itUy and were fa\oi:d»ly known
t hroiiaiioiit a hir^e (lorilon of oiir country, foi* pt-r onal worth
and ii;allant hiairint*'. .Mthn' Ibe olliclal comlnct a - iMtr.idcni ot thi'
h;mk, in the matter hrouLdil nndt*r di^^eit : ion in thes* pares, ha ln'en
and always w ill eontiniu' to he with me ihi* .ubjeet of nnqini litied con
diannation it is due to Irnlh to >ay (hat his pri\;ite and piu’ oual
eharai'ter ha;-^ never, to my knowledm*, heen : iiece fully impeached.
1 knew him from an early piu’iud of my lift*, luul eon: iderahle inter
course with him, which wa;. not evtm interruptial by our poUtieal dif
ftMamei's but was always aL!;’ria*abh‘ ami, 1 ha\e no rea; on lo tloubt,
on l>otbsi<h*s polit ies apart simnuady friendly. M lie only member
of bi'^ family with whom 1 am at*qiiaintt*d i > his mmi. Major liiddle,
lowartl.s whom I have imbibtal fetdin^.-- <d‘ hi*j:b re. pect and alFeeiion
ali‘ rd.
naA'ino; thus spoken of tlu* pmeral al)iiities and idinraeter; of (he
two pnm*ipal Itaulers in llu*. political crusadt* wluch I am al)nul to
•' MS. vn i». j:..
!3
AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF MABTIFT VAFT BUREH. 635
clesciTbe I am constrained to add that the judgments of both in
respect to the probable effects of the course they had marked out
for themselves and their friends upon the feelings and opinions
of the great body of the people were, in my humble estimation, very
unreliable. Mr. Clay could not have shut his eyes to the political
consequences involved in the struggle before him, nor did he affect
to do so. If it proved a failure entire political prostration of its
leaders, in the ratio of their prominence, must be the result —
a catastrophe of which, as the leader in chief, his would be the largest
share. If successful it would, in the natural course of things, raise
that leader to the Presidency. Having been already twice over-
thrown in his aspirations in that direction there was no process of
reasoning by which he could avoid the conclusion that the present
would be, must be his last chance for that high distinction. He so
considered the matter and laid down, as his first requirement — one
which was to be distinctly and irrevocably recognized by the bank,
and, under no extremities, to be lost sight of — that there should not
be on this occasion, as there had been before, a divided leadership.
Of this the reader will, before the account of these transactions is
closed, be made very certain. He needed the co-operation of both
Webster and Calhoun. That of the latter was indispensable! Mr.
Webster’s not so much so, but highly desirable, and Mr. Clay hoped
to obtain both. From Mr. Calhoun he could apprehend no such
rivalship as has been alluded to; in respect to Mr. Webster that
question stood on different ground and it was toward him, there-
fore, that the requisition of which I have spoken was aimed — trust-
ing, as reasoning from the past he thought he might safely do,
to the influence of the bank over Mr. Webster’s action to keep the
latter in the harness which was to be prepared for him. Mr. Clay’s
demands were ultimately satisfied in regard to both of the gentlemen
named. For his success with Mr. Webster, however, he was, in all
probability, indebted, as ilie reader will hereafter see, to an agency
other than his own or the bank’s and of which he was not apprised
until a much later period of his life.
crTAn'Ki; xliv.
or {\w ih'inils of (ho. bank plan ni’ rampaipn, a : it . ttnul at da*
oloso. of llit‘ sossion of ls:h^ I oan tp’ rraii r »»nl\ pfak I’ltan InIVr
(‘iicos ilrawn with surli ailvanta^o. «>(’ |n>-i(iun I'on tloauiiov duau
tis 1 havo hofoi ‘0 pointi'h niit rruiu fail,”. i>f niultiuhtr*l anthnrity.
^riu‘ r(‘adt'r will judiif for him t*lf nf tho rorrorlno-. oi iu\ infia'
(mct‘s and aorord (o (honi llu* orialit to which he niav think them
(miillcd. Ilavitii*’ for its Icailin^i; atul md) a\owtal <ihi«*ci the n*
cltar{(‘rini>* of Mh* hatde (hat [jlan was ncct* . arily cun trncird s\lth
special nd’cnm<H‘ to (ht‘ actual condition ol the evcral poUi'r. t)i
(lu* h'ctlcral ( Jov'cntnaml . No ilircct aiiiojj oi the p»*opka h\ uhii'h
(ha(- condition tni^ht he ^ea^^»nahly \arieiL ua allouahlr und»T the
( *onst it ution lud’ort* tin* exi ainn; charter of the hank noidd hast*
(‘xpii'tal; it. was only (hroniifh iww <jr chanj.‘etl \leu l»\ u hi theii’
minds could he iinpres:.etl and unsi*t t led, t hat the_\ loieht hr induced
to exert, an inllnence o\(‘r (he cuur e of their rc*pre enta(i\»’ elect,
and (htls (o promote or (o retard tln' adijption iil puhlic me.i ure
ht'arin^ on (lie e'lmtu’al .snhjeet. In the l\\i’cut i\ i* hr. im h no chanec
luul taken place. Ih'csidtmt flack on had heim re tdeiUed lor a li’Cm
exttnnline; heyoml (he hardi^s idiar(<*i% hi ^ oppo ition^tu It had heeii
placed in his I h'/cMm'e.aLu* on eriUind that eonld not he moved
and lu’ Innl ht’en maths if po'isihle, . (ill lutirc ah oliUe mmin t it
hv tin* snhsiM jinmt aim .t*-. of it-, powm*. d lii» iederal element in the
Stmaltn alt ho' it Inul been somt'V'hat riahiceil h\ the tdertiom \\a.
/.rrcally ^lrene•(h^•nc(l ntrain t (1 m‘ admini' t rat ion h\ it more pi*r
feci ntiion with tlu* fritnid of Mr. (’alhonn. Idte Ilcm t‘ of Kepre
.stmt at i ^’es had innlcri/one a y^reat ehami»* in all re- peel ami par
ticidarly on tin* (jiit'dion <d‘ the hank, a majotafy <d' friend t>f the
athnini.st fat ion having' Inam rettinuMl which, th«>' md half lar‘re
as in (he prtwions ( Mn^ri** -s, was Indies ed to he not utds compo ed
of lad(<*r stnir in <j!:i‘n(n*al hnt (‘specially ndiahh^ on that ipti* tion.
hhirdier tdVort (o ohtain tht‘ pas>a^c td’ an aid fm* the de ired e\
t(‘nsion ol’ (he eharltn* of tin' hank from a le”:iMatnre lauupo omI of
thna* s(‘panite hranelu's, (lu‘ (*on?«>t*nt id’ evinw oiu* of which ssa:
ne(’(‘ssarv (o (In* validity of (he in <h‘spile^ of (he known and
si‘((l(‘d hostility o-f tun* hraneh ami the all Imt eiuiain opp*^ it ion
of anothtn* (both of vvhi<*h htdd tlu'ir otliees hy a tenure I'eaeliinL*:
h(*yoiul (lu‘ linni of tin* exislinre eharter) was an nndertakin^r whi<’h
must men would have lookt'd upon as ilesperute. Hut Me-n* . lUiidh*
AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF MARTIN VAN BUREN.
637
and Clay did not regard their situation in a light so unfavorable.
They did not see, or affected not to see any obstacles in these undis-
puted facts to the accomplishment of their objects vrhich could not
be overcome by a vigorous application of the means at the command
of the bank, supported by its political allies. Of the particular
character of those means we will speak hereafter; for the present
let it suffice to say that they bore no analogy to those which, spring-
ing from a conviction in the breasts of suitors of the justice of their
applications, consist of arguments and explanations in behalf of
what they ask. Whatever may have been their confidence in the
merit of their petition, which it is not necessary to consider here,
means of that description were, in the present case, deliberately laid
aside as having already been resorted to without avail and as espe-
cially unpromising under existing circumstances. The only appeal
that, in their view of the matter, was still open to tliem and promised
success was one which hazarded the unbiased and deliberate opinions
of public men, and of the communities for wliich they acted, as an in-
auspicious agency for the solution of public questions, as entirely
extraneous and in the last degree sinister in its nature and which,
instead of enlightening and fortifying men’s minds, served only to
bewilder and subvert their judgments and carried in its train the
worst evils to the public welfare. If they were enabled to carry
their bill thro’ the House of Representatives by the use of the
means they contemplated, altho’ not availing much, in the first in-
stance, towards the accomplishment of their immediate object —
indeed, advancing them no further than they reached in the first
struggle — such a result would, in their estimation, open to them
chances of future success of greater value than the cost of an imme-
diate triumjph however expensive that might be. It would go far
to divest the decision of the preceding Presidential election of the
influence it had acquired, and to which it was entitled, as a declara-
tion of the will of the majority of the j)eople, expressed in a con-
stitutional form, against the continuance of the bank. Means potent
enough to drive the House of Representatives, which had been chosen
under such circumstances, from its integrity and duty would, it was
also believed, if they failed to be operative upon the President, yet
force the supporters of the administration in both Houses to give
way in sufficient numbers to secure for the bill a constitutional ma-
jority over the Veto, The Px'esident might die in the course of the
struggle, an event which, from his advanced age and physical debil-
ity, seemed at the time not unlikely, and, in that contingency, his
constitutional successor might not prove to possess the firmness
necessary to maintain the position he had occupied, a chance easily
assumed at least as furnishing an additional ground of hope. If
all other calculations failed, the prostration of the existing adminis-
A.MKI.'K'AN IIIS-l‘()l:li’AI, A.-.'.iii |.Vi-lii\.
ti-iition, till' cli'cl ion of a rririui ol' ihr liaiik a . tin- I’n- iiKnil aiitl
(lu>. ('stiihlisliiiu'iit (if a new iiank ii|ion liic fnimilatioii nf tlu* dj,]
wcri' ‘ Ia.''l i'(‘'-orl.' on whicli nicii of Ictiiiici'.itiifni- n atn'iiiiu' as
wnro tlioKc. of Messrs, ('lay and liiddle eonld uo( In- llate (o rely
willi enlire eoiillilenee.
'I'lial. sneh, or sonietliinjr \ery like ilnmi. were iln ir \ iew ; of the
.snl)j(>ei. and sneh lh(> natnri' and ii'eneral onllinc', of their plan, as it
sitxnl 111 Ihe. elo.s:e of that se.-sion, is fairlv iiiferahie from : in.aitieaiit
oeeiirreiiees, linlh liefore and after, the i h.-iraeter and detail of which
are. neither mailer <d' dispute imr dillii nit ot interpretation.
'I’he removal of the deposits etialiled the haid> to eham-e the method
;iml form of the measure for its relief much t.. it . a.hantaef, 'I'hin,
id. (irsl, was from necessity intended to hi> a ample l.ill i.. extend tlie
ehar/.t'r; tli.al. which wa-- aetiiidly [iropo ed wa :i toint re ohiiion
to restore the deposits to the place from whem e thm, had keen re-
moved, whieh, if i{ had heeii adoj<ted would, imwitahly, h:ne h'd io
a. le charli'r. e slndl see herealter the reason . wh\ thi ehantj'e
was an improvi'iuenl in the hiink';. po.-ition.
'I'he. possihle iidlexihiliiy of an adverse majority in the new
Iloii.-e. of h*epre.senlali\es wa;; certa inly a formidald'e ditlienitv hut
not. .siillieieid to di.seoiira/re the hank or it ; letidini'- • iipportcc . Who
lho.se represenlidive.s were, what their eharaet.-r . and e;,,,ae,t;,. . ,i„.ir
(irmne.s:-:, their spirit, .waittei'cd :i,. they were thromdionl the evlen.led
Connlry. eonld its yet he little known. :md limeh room for l.ope was
llieridore kdt l(> (h<we who h:ii! heen necn: toined to ■ peenhde upon
tile wcaknes.s ol pnhiie men .and trained in the wa>- hv which thev
eonld he inlliieneed. 'rhese nneertainiie : eonld oniv l.e definitely
.sellled at. the next se.s;,ion of ( ‘onore then eompaiadivelv Ihr ojf.
It would, at all events, he a new thino ninler the .-ain (h;i 1 :i laink id'
tin- (huled Slates .should for a |ono time ri-m:iin in muioritv in
either hraneii of the .N'ational I.em- hitnre. The e,,nirollim. inlliienee
ol the Iir.sl haidi in the lir.-t ( 'onyme-. . was nolorioie , and it mav well
'lonhled whether, a;: far, :d lea.-.(. as respeefed the h;ink''; own
eiineern.s, that inlliienee ha.l heen mneh less over am of it . neee or -,
Io tin- popular hraia-h of the lir,s( (’onore.s under lien, dark on';
adminisl fill ion, which immediately precede.! ih;il wlmc prohidde
ehara.'ter they were can vassiiifr. (here had he.-n eie.-led a maj..ritv ol
more than si.xty avowed friends of the admini ■ i rat ion, or ".lack ..n
men.” as they wm-e called. Vet hefore the expiration of it- ’veoml
I''"! iKapiired Milllcient inlliienee ov.-r that hodv (..
ohtam from if the pa,ssn-re id' a hill („ eM,.,,,! it... charter in, (with-
■slandin- full knowledge thaf (he mensnre Innl heen inlrodn,-e,| at that
•■arly period so l.aijr before (he expiration of its then .•harlered
VI. p. ;,ii.
AlITomOCitAIMl Y OK MAU'I’IN VAN m'llK.N.
(5;i9
poAVci’a iuul i‘ij>;li(s — willi (lii‘ <‘X]»r(‘ss jiiirp(is(' oi liciii”' to jin'-
A'cut. flut’kson's ion ii ]u‘ should iul<‘r|>ost* his I u dusitJ^ii
virtually adiuidrd hy Hu* S(‘na((»r iVoiu Ptaiiisyh auin who pnvnUrd
Iho inoiuorial l‘or (lu‘ rc~iii(’<H*|)<»rai inn oT I hr rank. In I hr pr(*srnl
Tloiisr thr inajorii.y in favor of Mh‘ lulininisi ral inii was less Ilian half
ihat luiiniK'r and auioiio' (hrni wrn* sonic iiiilricd iihmi. It uas not
ihcivforc surprising.!: (hal- (h(‘ hatdv and iis advoralcs cnltn’cil U[)on
thi‘ iind(‘r( akinjL!: of con vi*id (he si^’ond House td’ Ih'prcr entaf i\ t**. -
^ as Ihcy had doiu^ for (he (Irsl with Ihc roididtaaa' which was- olo
s(M‘vcd in all (lu'ir movi'iiunils.
T\\o. scdcricd on (hr sctannl occasion for the <tcV{do|>incnl of
(ludr joint powers and for ( he adainnund of (lu^ir rc.s[><*c‘l i\ t‘ purpo cs
airoi*iied a s(rikin,a‘ iMus(ra(ion of lh(» (etnn'ity of (In* iinprc aons
which nailly gi’tait nunn sinemH* in (heir opinions and having*: lie*
faculty of winning’ (lu‘ luauds and pt‘r: nadinw (he judinnenis of
olhers, sound inu‘S stamp on thi'. luiinls <d’ (licir folloucr , (^specially
wlu'U those, opinions had hiaui <!:radually cryidali/cd and . haprd indi
a jiarlisan cri'cd. d'hat (la* pcopli* luiyld alwa> - and ruid.l <udy uc
ct'ssfidlv iu‘. ;j!,-ovi‘rncd throusdi (heir iiulividtial inlcrc I ; oi’ (hroindi
(heir (cars wic. a doelrinc which Alcxandiu' Ilamilton held \^i{h (he
sinc(*ri(y and a\<n\(‘d wi(h (he manly cainhu* whi*'h pre cmimMillv tii •
rm/j!;uislua| his idiaraelms No one w ho has made him eli in an\ »'cai
sidiM'ahle <li\i!:ia»e acijuaintcd w il h our polil i-ail hi (or\ ran he i^^noraip
of this fact, or of (hr xcal wilh which In* imadcaled llial d«je(rim\
and (d’ all our puhlic num (here has no( ht‘cn one who made neh <!u
rahk* impressions of (hr eonvieiions of Ids own iotnd (Ui t!io.(* «d
fi’i(‘ndk< and ffil lowers, l»y l‘ar (he lai'^'c ( pojfion uf iho e fo w ho
mana^imumt (lu‘ alfair;-. (d’ (hi* hank were rommifUni and al o of (he
party hy which it wais sus(aincd wa eompo.fd of hi .urvivine ili
cipli's and (ludr dcsc(*nt|an{s ri*ai’i‘tl in and -.fiil dmtUed (tj (he ame
(*ai(h. 'I'hi' (‘.\( raordinary t‘(l’or(. (hc\ made, in tin* iir d in (ainr, (o
enlist (lie favor <d* Ihc pciiph* on (lu* adc of (he iiank ami (o erme.
(h(‘ir sujjporl for il>. eandidnles hy (he nm ( a iiluou and the mo t
hnish appiads (o par(ieidar in(i‘re ( inr. Iieen «|e criiieti in the pre
i’(‘diu^ [lag'es, as wi*ll as (he failure wldeh a((endi*d if and ever\ ‘Uher
in (ha( (tireefion. W'lud mori* mdural than (hat liasine' faih^rl in the
applictdioii of one of (he only (wo ehnni'id of ptilitieal inllueuee h)
winch Hamilton ht‘!ic\(‘d (hat (he aetion ni' the puhlie mind midd
he !‘i;Ldi(ly directed, hi-' poIi(i'*aI di eipt^ -.^ (he earl\ and |a(e atimiiej .
of his er(‘c(h r houid resort (o (he eUiii’is or thal .\lr\ t 'lay, who e cou
vi‘rsi()n (o (ha(. t‘rcctl hank and all had heeomi* j’ompletr - hmdd
no( eo opiM’afc only hid Im* (he ehief leader in (lie eidorpri e. Ileii.e
i he orie'in of (he plan whieh wa-, o.ii’ried ou( willi mh mu i Imi in|j[
vi^or, (lia( of emplo\ ins*' ( he \a t mi*an at {ht*drj*o al of (he !»ank
040
AMKltU'V^' 1 1 IS rt Hilt ’ \ I . AS'-{ H 1 A'rn )N,
ill < U* tilt' ^ ^ ^ ^ tMinirv tiiiil *>{ f*uil», 111.1-111*^ hti-int’ss
fmu‘i*nis (o an nxttnil siiiru*innt «’n’alr ui«lt‘ ili ir.* . and to
iurnsr intniisn alann fnr thn .d’ it • inttnv.a inii^ all (Im
launiliraliuiis of a ^u'rnat ctuiiuiuuit y t«» iniMir iinlin;nat iou
inminsl tlu‘ KxtM'\iiivn hnmnU uT ttu‘ (invinauni'nl h\ iujpiitiun'
(iTsaslrons (xanirn'Urns to tlu‘ in(nrpu:dt uni nf tin Tn* idml' . id/o
and lo ilio lUH-nssity Im had wnntotdy hn|HM-d (in thi‘ hank (d’ pm-
parina* In wind np its airair:% ih(‘ «‘\ It • df \\hi«'h iht-N Min* hank knid-
(‘I's) liad rnndnld. and \o nhlain, t>y nit‘an • (d’ the i-xtfn nn panic
lints prndiuaal, a mnlnd nim- tin* a. l idii (d* the pnldir luind whirh
would niiahli* llu* pcnjccl or-' (d* tlu'sc rriniinal . hfon* tun dtdy h>
mark otil for (In* tunviy id(*innd Unit i* n( lu*pr«’ rniativu tin* cuiirMi
il. should pttrsu<‘ hu( (o .i»:ain in (hr M*<jn»‘k po m* imi ol (hr liriu‘ral
( roian’iinitml .
Wind her thoM* di'raii^i.'ininmt - in all our hn inr • r»*l:iiidn , ihr oh-
stac’l(‘s {lu*\' piH‘M*n(rd (o pnhiir and priiati* pro prrn\ and (lu* dis-
tress prodiu’rd hy (hem wrrt* raitr.rd hy (hr artitm « I thr h'rdrral
( Joveiannent , or ol' I'ithrr of it - !)(‘pailuumt . in rrlaiuni to (hr tluni
exisllno; hank of Itu^ I’niital Slati'?-, or wrn* s\ dtunat trails roiitriirtl
by llu‘. bank itself, as i.'» luna* . laird, to nb rr\t* hank and parti an
purposes, allhou*dt lon^‘ and hot ly di puird, lot ri*a rd to In* rr,'»arilrd
as an (»pen (jiii'slion by our petfph*. d'he judetoriU (d’ thr i'onniry,
a Tier full luairin*;* and mat tire roii' idrrat ion, pronomu rd t Iran t o ha \ i'
b{*i‘ti pai'Is of a eriininal plot dm i rd and rari ird out in bu rr a run •
I inuanr(‘ (d’ eharleriMl priiilep*. from an unwilling tioiriunu^nl and
peophn In flu* end (Ind d<*ri.^iion na* p*nm‘all\ ronrntrrd in, I ba’t*
and lh(‘i‘(‘ may still be found a :<( rairirlinii' di tmtirnl from thr rom
mon stmliiinatl ami, for olniotr-. taai on.- , tin* :a‘nlinH‘iU it t*lf may hi*
t not*(‘ <}(’ ks.s fretdy :i vow ci I by c mie I ha n b\ ot hr r , but ( hr rt m \ iri inn
of ils jiislius.s is, iu‘vt*r( lude<s, in our timr almo I tmivrt' al, It u
by thus rt‘o*ai*dino’ it and by n‘r,uminjL^ tlu* mana‘?;rmrnt td' tUrir bn i
ness eomanar. with tlu'. means that \%err left to tluan that thr j«ropki
of (In* UnitiMl Slates ridii*vi‘il tlunnsidve-. as far atul a fa I a thry
ronld, frotii t!u‘ injtirions (dltads (d* a Mcvm* temporary {»\rilrmrtii,
th(‘ fruii of nrisphu’tMl roididtmrt* in iho.a* ikho had rai nl it for
sinister purposes. 'I'liey sho(»k olV an inetthti:. the attempt to fa ten
whieli upon (h(*m had ronvulsetl tln‘ (Naintry: {‘Very appreheii ion
for tin* suer{‘ss and stahility of onr jxdilieal institution' ua*- thn;
<|ui(‘b*d and onr bnsim*ss inb*rt*sis and relations, wtu’e in timi‘ re (ornl
to tln^ condition in which th(‘V slood at tin* rommrnrriurnt of thr
stdlish and nnprinriphal war that laid Ihmmi wa<rt‘t| a/^ain t ihrm and
airainsl Ihr honttr and wtdlnri'. of Ihi^ nation hv and in bidtalf of
AlTM^OBIOtJKAl'II V OK MAirriN VAN BKItHN.
(54 1
li; is of tlijd. ,sl:ru<‘’ij^’lc Iht* li(»rrosj, iiiun' iHsi urbin/Lt^
influential ii])ou (lie prospec’is <4' (lu‘ public men ()( (he tlay, and
tlireaienino; i>‘reaier dnu^HU* lo tlu* \ilal priiu'iplf; <4' free ^(jNern
nicnt than any (<» wliicb (lu>S(‘ pi'inciples bav‘i' beim exposed in (his
('ioiinti’v since (lit' i’(‘(‘<)i»’ni{ ion oT our national indeptuideiu’e of its
most, slrikiiiix incidtuils and of its issue tint I propo-.t* in r penk.
( bipr(‘c(‘(l(‘n(<*<l pecuniary (unliarrassnu'nts baviny been chosen as*
tiu' i»'i'ound work of tht‘ (’out imiplat i‘d panic (he bank was (d* i-ourru'
looked to astlu'. liaidin^ and most ellieient a/i.'eni for (heir prodiadion.
ifoldin^' t]i(‘ |)r*incipa! string’s an<[ to a freeat extetU con(rtdUni 4 ’ (he
din*ction of (In* (mormons amount of ihrta' humlivtl and ftniy mil
lions of (hi‘ mon(‘y(‘d opm’at ions of (he Coimlrv it wn ^ maM^ .sury (hat
th(‘ b(/sin(‘ss all'airs (d‘ tin* !at((‘r shoukl l!a\e betm indinal in a palmy
(‘ondition to havi* put it mil td’ t\H* powmmd’ that instifution (o intro
(luce any di’sired {‘Xtent (d* tka’anircnamt in ii^^ cretlil . and in tla'
sys((‘ius by which (li(»y \\er(* retddatisl. d’lie bard^ tm(«a'cd tipnu it.
!dlott(‘d [jart <d’ tht‘ work with tlu' alacrity anti cncrnv ^^llloh di
t ina'nisluv-; (h(‘ opm'atitm;; «d‘ lariu* nionicd in (ifutitm . imocil !i\ th*-
w'ord td' (sanmand and with a dc/vrcc <d’ r'(‘cklc tifs . in r»‘ pect uf it-,
ohlia’atioiis to th(‘ I'omitry, to the ( ho (*rnni«mt h\ which n h;ni ii«sm
ci‘ea((‘d and to tin* pro\i.ion;. ami I’c-.mw at ioim td’ d ^ charttu' which
not Ii i n^’ short (d its d(*spera((‘ I'ontlition (’ould ha\i* inspurd, (H d .
naaisiircs and plans to forward its de -ijijCirs, dexi-i’d durin]i,*f tin* nn’c .s
and conlimual diiriny; t la*, cn aiin*r -.c .simi id’ ( ‘on |.n*C‘-s, 1 wdl, in flii-.
[dace, no(ic<‘ (hose only which Ivaw a diri*c( lu*:!^!!*^ upmi ftn* tmme
diati* obji'cts (d‘ (In* (‘oid’iMlcratcs, \va: (ht* nudcrminin;,r of the major
ity of tlu* anti hank men whom (he pcoph* hud clectetl to th«‘ cniumr
IIous(‘ ol lh‘pr*(*.scn{ id i \ atui tlu* t‘Xci(aCion amt di*moruii/ai nai nf
(he piihlic mind by means of a pcfiiniary panic, 'ria* c con .istt'd
First: of (be step;: that wviv takim to r ti|ter I’th* tin* act ion of Itm
r(‘nMdar and only board of dircettu-. au(hm-i/ed by (hr charlrr in
n‘^mrd to all (he im|H*r{nn( mo\cnH*ntsof (lu* hank wlu<*h it de an^tl
to c()uci*al from the km»wlcd«r(» nf (he chotmnment ; of tlu* e tin* mo%t
impoi-tant wen*, the* suhstiddion td' wlini wiv eallntl (hr " Mx.-hmui',.
(kaiimitiee,'' eompos(*d td' oidy llvi* director., (d s\!n»m the I’n* idenr
of till* bank was oiu* and tlu* (»{her four \u*re (*lee(rd bv him, and
t lit*. b(*s(ownu’nl td all hid imiimittMi power tmtld ( ‘t»muot tci*, whon
doin.'/s W('r(‘ eontiih‘nt ial and fnaii whose t «mm*il the (loverniiienf
dir(‘etors W{*i‘(‘ iinariahly exelinleil;
Acco//r//y; o( fhosi* by w hieh powt*r was ‘ri\im to it*. Pre itleni
oN(*r (lu* hinds ol 1 h«* in- (iintiom ine!ndinf>^ tlu* money of flu* i lov^mn
meiit, a;, mean ; for «>p(*ratinu ufion pnblir opinion, without reqnir
MS. VI. ji. r»ri.
ii’T'is.'i ' \cH.i; ro n
042
inSM’DIIMVM, ASSiUMA'riUN'.
mp; him to xtiuIim* V(>urhors of tlu*ir to ilu* iH'^nlar
board or in any way U> afcouni. io il for tlu* u-iv. he madt' id’ (luaii, to
an extent, a.m])ly suHi(‘ient (o enable him (<> t^xen’i-^e all tlii‘ inllnenee
that conld be u(‘(|uired by the applieatinn of numov over Hit' jmlilic
press, over inllnenlial individuals and tivtn* immibors of ( on.urt'ss;
TlimUlf: of t.lu‘ movements and rntvisnres nf Hie IhxtdianeA’ (^)in-
mittee to d('ran^t‘ Hu* eri'dits ol ilu* (’oiinirv and to sprt*atl the
])eeimiary (*mbarrassnients ovt'i’ the lt*n^‘'tb am! bi‘(*adlb ol Hie land
by which the desircMl panic was prodiiec*tl.
OHiorsmay be bih'lly noticed in Hu* course of this ri*vie\\\ amt even
of tlu'.se Hu* substance* only <‘an bi* stati'ib To di*st*rilH‘ tbem n'sjiee-
tiv(*ly in dc'tait would r(*<iuiri* a voliiim*, nor is it indispen^abh* to do
mo]‘t^ Hian I have proposc'd as the rei’oril td‘ tlu*iu in all their oriii:inid
fullness is prc'si'in'ed in onr public ai’chiM's, tu which the ri*adi*r, who
dosirc*s to t(‘st Hu* acciiracw of my stat{*uu*nts of tin* h‘adinp: facts or
the correciiu'ss of the dc'diictioiis I have made from tlu*m or to obtain
ampler views of the subject can n‘tVr.
The (iovermnent. !u*td oiu* lifth of the* c’apital sioi'k of Hu* bank,
viz: vseven millions of dollars out of thirty tiv«‘ niilIiom>. If ki‘p( in
its vaults, of publit* monii's, an av(‘ra_<’:i* annual amount of six millions
more*, on I di* posit a mb of course, siibji'cl (<> the u i* of Hu* bank.
It had conf(‘rrc‘d on that institutitui \a't jjowi'rs which, it was he-
li(*\‘i‘d, could, ami triisietl w’oiild In* u I’ll bu* tin* ad\anlam* of the
( iovi'rmiu'ut. and of Ilu* (’ouulry at larp* a:-; well as bu' that of the
bank, but it. was also wtdl umlcisdood that all Hu‘ir important iuli*r"
(‘sts mi^hl. be* madt* to sutler if ilu* umnap*men( of Hu* aHaiis; cd’ Hie.
bank w'as not- strictly ‘‘’uarded and (*lo-.(*ly wal«'lu*d. Partly from
necessity, at. all c‘\ (*ii(s ri^ht fully and wi.sely the t ho (‘riiuu*nt bad
a.ssiiiiu'd tlu* largest, share* of the re ponsibilily of that watchfulness
ami, to (*uai)k‘ it (o discliarp* (he dutii‘s il thus a.vaimcd with succc*ss,
powc'i's wi'n*. r(‘si‘i*\'ed to it and r(‘st ricd.ious and tluIicN impo cd upon
the. bank by tlu* prenisions of its ('liaHer whir’ll W'ould, it was vainly
liopi*d, 1)1*. amply suHici(‘n{. for that piirposr*. It was, anumu’ oHu*r
thinps pointing in Hu* same* dir(*{‘Hon, |)rovidr‘tl by tlu* (1iart<*r that
“’ for Hie mauap‘uu*nl. of Hu* alfalrs of tlu* saitl ( ’orjioral imi " then*,
should Ins twenty live dii'(*(‘(,ors, live* of wduuu should hr* annually
appointed by the. Pn*sident of the* United State's, by and with the*,
advice ami consent, of Hu* Senate, uml tin* ivsidiie. sboubl be* aimiially
e!e*e*ti'el by Hu* slockbol(le*rs “other than Hu* Unite'rl Stalr‘s," ami it
was further ])rovi(h‘(l that. “ /m/- /c.s'.s* Z/o/.//, srrc,i. dln riars sliall con-
stitute*. a boa.rd foi* the. ti’ansae*! ion of Imsinc'ss." 'Plu'se* -.oh*mn stipu-
bitions, notwitbstaiurm^^ that the latter wms one of tlu* fnmlanu*ntal
articles of the constitution of tlu* liank ami (hat both (op‘llu‘r em-
braced tlie most material provisions for tlui mauap*mt‘ut of the allairs
AtTTOHIOdliMMI V OK MMtTIN VAN TUTRKN.
643
of tlvo corporation, upon the inlcyrily of wliiclv iho security of iui-
uicusc piil)lii' interests (IcpoiuUal, that instiintion i)ci'iuittad, nay cn-
coMraji’cd and assisicd ils Prt'siih'iit (o s('t at naiiylit Ity tlic appoint-
mont and action of tlic. " Kxcliani-v. (tonnuiltco ” to A\diicU I have
referred.
'J'liat tliere may Ix'. no niistako as to tliis cardinal .ste.]-> in these
ju'oeeediny^s, ihroiio-h which inil)nnity was expected to l)e secured
for most of the lawh'ss acts (hat followed, I repeat the woials in
Avhich (’hief .lustiee 'I'aney, then Secretary of the 'I’l-easury, ollicially
commmii(‘!itc'd (lie niattei’ to both IIoiusc's, at the connnenceine.nt of
the panic st'ssion, in (he fac(' of (he ahh*. and active, friends of the
bank on the (loors of Cont'Tess :
Tnstfjitl tif ii btun'd fuusi it iiiftl of nt Mf'n'ii (Uraiovs, nccordlng to tho
(‘tuirlc'r, Hi whirli (hnsp tipptJinliMl )»y (h(‘ ITiUlt'd S(siU»s lutvc u rii^hl; to Im
pi’thstMil, many of (In* nmsi hnpnrlnul luoiu'y t ransacllons of Ihi' bank Imvt' Ihhmi
and still ara ]>la<'ad nndni* I In* ctHdrol of a (•tinimil of wliidi no oih'i
of tin' iHililia dirt'clors 1ms In'on allowt'tl to In* a ui»*nil>i‘r siiict* Mu* <*onnn<'nc(v
manl of (he prt'sonl yoar. M'liis (^HiiniilbM’ is n‘»( I'Vi'n <*l('('l('d by (lit* lioard
and (la* public din-flta-.s luivc im vnico in lliolr apptdnl mold. 'Plu'y ai’t* <*bos(*n
liy llu' I’rt'sidcnl «»!’ Ila* bniik ; and the biisini'ss tU' llu* insjilullon, wideb on^Jjhl.
|o Ik* dt'cidcii on !>y tin* bnartl t»r dircclors, (s, In many inslancos, tninsatdod ]>y
lids ('omndllt'f ami no out* has a ri^ld lo be* in’cst'ul al tln*ir pi’oct'i'dliiKs but.
dm bn'sidmd and tbnsi* wlaau la* .slmll ploaso to nimm as nn'mbt'rs of this
( l(jnaull b'o. 'I'lnis loans an* nauh* unUmiwn al llu* tlmo to a luaJoi’K.y oT tJu^
hoard ami papt‘r d(st*onnb*d which miahi jirolmhly la* r{*.)t*c(cd at; a l^'^J:;ular
mt'i‘lln|j; of flu* directors, ihc niosi Important opt'ralions of llu* hank art* Hoinis
lbiM*s restdved on and (‘\ccnicd by lids <’«aundttci» and Its iiu‘asurt‘s art*, It:
appeal's dc.sh.mmiiy and by rcj.nilar system, so nrran^xed as lo conei'al from I he
olliccrs of I he i}overnineul transaelbais In which I he t»uldle inb'n'sls are^
<l»*eply invtdved.*
1'lm|. Ilu' l-riiih of I hi:i slaieineid could no| laMlt‘ni(‘(| was, in various
ways, iinn*.s(‘r\‘cdly atliuilhul as w(*ll hy lla‘ Imnk as by ils su|)i) 0 !*(-<u*s
in (\)n”‘r(‘s.s, \\du*u Mr. l'am*y’'s r(‘|)oi’i of Ids rc'asons for rtunovin^
<li('. d{*posijs, (la* dociuucnl in \vlii<*h lli(‘ sta(<*nKUi|. is conidtiiu'd, was
ri‘ci‘ivi‘d in (In* Senate Mr. (day inovi'd lo lakt* it. nj) ainl (o (lx a
(lay for ils consi<l(‘ration without r(‘ft*i*rln;i»: i(. io a (’oiuiniihT.. Mr.
B(*n((»n alludctl (o lln* various char^(*s of nds(*on(luc(. a^'aiusl. (In',
hank which if coidaiin’d, and upon which Ihe Sccrt'lory rcru'd as
i’(msons for tin* rcuioval, and sul)iui(l(‘<l wln'llnu* it was not din', to
llu*. hank, lo tin* (’ounlry aiul to (he vScuialc to ha\(* (In*, truth of
th(‘s(' charo'(‘s (*{njuir(‘d into lu'foia* tin* St‘nal(‘ pro(a‘(‘dt*(l (o dt*(‘id(*
upon tin* s(dlici(*u<’y of (In* r(*a.sons (.h(*y furnished for tlu*t s(.(*|)
which llu* S(‘ci*ctiiry had lak(‘n. Mr. (day, withoid; dir(*ct ro.ply to
I lu*. ion, persisted in his mol ion. A day ha vino' I){*(‘n a.ppoint(*<l
for llu* action of tin* Senate upon tin* S(*(*ri*t ary"s r(‘port lu\ oirered
I
..j
:j
i«t<i
j
A
‘lU'Cin t ta‘ S«'i rrhiry <il' thr 'Crt'aiiury, t>(‘c. a, l»saa.
644
AM KIU( ’A X 1 1 1 STt 1 K I r A I . ir I A l‘lu X .
resolutions^ (li'cIariuiX tlu* roason-; a - by that nira-(*r to
instillicient anti hijiiilv tauisui'inn' t!u‘ lauultita t>f Ihi* Tit* iihait in
till' iiia(((ux \\‘hifli (li.>t‘ussftl f<ir thcta* nnmth .
Mr. Tani'v'.s slattuiuait- was iU‘M’r n‘i'utial riih^'r ii\ tin* haiilc or
by its supporters in ('t>U‘i:ri“'S, hut, t»n flu* mnirarv, u.tt unlv was
a challt'uoa' inlerpostal by a ho^tilt* Siuialtu* tt> :ai iniD the in\i* (ijra,
tion of its truth tlcclimai hut t ht* invi* f inat itui it elf u;i \irtuallv
ri'l’iistu! thro' tljr artitni tsf (la* frirnil th' the hanh, the\ mu tinuin^
a majority of tht‘ Siuiate. It wtjuhh tiM'refure, he an aet af upta’u
fj::aiiou to athl another word here to e fahli li it ■ eorreetne . Am I
wi’one* in assuiiiinii: that it wotiUI he an ecjuul ua it* of time in
(‘nlara(‘ upon tla* suhjeet for (In* pur[}o e of e (ahli bine; the uttfrlv
re(*kl(‘ss ami wholly inexrusahh*, not tt) : ay eriminal eharaet«*r of
tlu‘se proet‘edines{ No upright and inn'otiuou itiimh uhate^rr mav
lmv(* ])ei»n its iinpri'ssions in re-^peet to «»thi*r pt*lnt . in the etinh^.i^
(‘an a\did ludn^ tbreed to (hat eotiehr ion. h'eehm*’ that thi luii f,
be so, that, they pn'smd, takt*n tonretln'r, a tran ai’ti«»n uritfier tla^
ilh‘{i;ality nor tiie imuKjraliiy of whieh ran he noeh* umie inndli'ohle
by aro-iiiiu'id. oi‘ ay;/*:ra vah*d by denmieiation an.| uhieli, iii it rlf
<'onsidiu*(‘d, nuiy, without prejudiei* to tie* ran e irnth. lu< alheaed
to stand siihsi ant iaily in the liybt in uhir-h the harih ha pla.’<*tl i|.
without. eoloriuLV ui- eoinment, I will m» treat it. Ihit inthn ii»M'|inin‘!f
to prohe diM*p(*i* proeeedinir: whic-h were ;o exeepf ionahle i»n thi*ir
laet* wi* cannot, it we uouhl, iynore their plain and euiudn iu* inler^
])r(^lation of the eliarael4*r and dt^Nii^'n of the nh rtjneni aet of t!je
liank. If tlauHvIiad bei‘u nothiiiL^' in tin* e labli luoent and aefmn of
the Kxehaniri' (’ommitti’e " that : Inuuu-tl the lieht bee:,n it ih-ed .
W(‘r(‘evil Mr. Ihildle would liavt* plma-d in .Mr. ( 1a \ ' hand , witliiu
iwmity four hours after (lie jjreeentut ion ((» (he Situate of Mr, 1 hue vs
Import, an aiitlienru* :.ta(i‘inent of fad', idlieieiit to turn the fidi'
(A public indi/^nation against that inetirrupt ihle oHie,*r |Mr hi (*\ere
l)nt. ill (liiil f;isi' nil l(iiiuili.(l uri‘ai^.^tuui.ii( (tf du’ liaiik. Nn uilii't'.
would have' luM‘ii niun- n<'i'i.|i(alilc In .Mr. Clay liiau dial ..I' .l.-utul
a|. die llircsluild of d)i. M-.iiiii n niaii wlnuit dif iippurl.T ;
of die liaiik <lisliki.i| (u a tlffirci' only li*--; Ihmi dial in wltifh di><v
lifld Prt.>iilt‘nt .)iu-kson IiiniM>ir, niul wlioa. olVicial rmir i* lii.i-aniv die
(•(‘idral i*oinl. (o wliicli du‘ itdimlion of ail parlif i wa - dirn dirm'd
iUnI (•nnliniicd to hn directed diirinw die reinaiiid.T of die >• ioii.
Wr. ( lay s iinlnir adaek on Mr. 'rnney, on the oionnd of lii : inlere I
in the Union liank of Mnrylund, which die latler liirnci with n
miieh iiower upon his ussuihuii, would, in (ha( ease, never ha\i‘ lifcn
dio.Uftlil. of. Ihil the record of the doin<rs of the “ khv-'liatur.. ('out
nildeiv^’ was, from the. he.ffinnin<? desifrned („ I,,, a sealed hook and
u,)ccemiHJi* 2 tj, inaa.
AUTOBIOGHAPHY OF MAFTIN VAFf BUREFT. 645
there "was no possible imputation to which it would not be better for
the bank to submit than to have those seals broken and its inner
workings revealed to the Imowledge of the Government and to the
gaze of the people.
Of the measures which were concocted in that secret and irrespon-
sible Council of Five, and which were attempted to be carried into
effect under its powerful auspices, I can here only make room for a
brief notice of one of gneat interest by which the public mind was,
in the sequel, profoundly moved. Wlien General Jackson aiTived at
the Presidenc}^ our national debt stood at ° about sixty millions, and
no object was nearer his heart than that of its extinguishment during
his administration. The height of his remaining ambition was to
jJace the great Republic by the side of the Empires of the old world,
enjoying, in addition to her other glories, the proud distinction of
being free of any public debt — that w^asting canker of the nations.
If the ajDpropriations for the payment of the national debt, recom-
mended to Congress by the Secretary of the Treasury, by order of
tlio Ih^esident, in December 1832, had been fully made and applied,
he would have succeeded in that the last year of his first official
term in reducing tlie debt (including the payment of interest) fifty-
eight million of dollars since his elevation to the Presidency. This
^vould have left the whole amount due on the first of January, 1833,
only a little over seven millions, for the discharge of which the
Government stock in the bank of the United States, with the ac-
ci'iiing dividends, was considered amply sufficient. This assumed
rednotion inchidcd an item of eighteen millions to be paid in 1832,
Avliich embraced thirteen millions — ^the whole amount of the old
three 'per centn. funded by the act of 1790, and constituting the last
instalment of our revolutionary debt. It was advertised for re-im-
bursement on the first of October, 1832, and for that purpose the
Treasury department had made all the provision supposed to be
necessary at the different loan offices. On the very eve of the accom-
plishment of this great object and but a few clays before the Presi-
dent’s annual Message of December 1832 in which he congratulated
Congress and the Country on its consummation, it was discovered
(it does not appear how) that the bank, through its Exchange Com-
mittee,” had, in the month of July preceding, and without even the
knowledge of the Government, sent a secret agent to London to
make an arrangement with Baring Brothers & Co. for the post-
ponement of three millions of that stock, for which they were the
agents, and also two millions in addition, for six, nine, or twelve
months after the date designated by our Government for its reim-
bursement ; that the Barings had agreed with the agent of the bank
MS. VI, p. 60.
AM KKU'AN 11 tS‘r{»Ult*AK AS>oi I A rin \ .
G4()
io buy iij) ilu' Ibrin* per ‘‘lUil i up^u i!n‘ br ,t tt-nus at whirh
tlu‘\' cuiiUl bi‘ priicurotl ti> (‘baru^’ ^bi bank uuh ita' niitlay, in
tain lluMaU’l iliuatos ilu'Ui.^a'Iv rs am!, li th«* aimauit nt thr (*u‘k ■ n put*-.
(’IiiisimI ami (hat rrtaimai by (lu* linhirr h»‘ijhi Im* \v. tlian ilvo
niillious, to tuaku up tlu* bfi'u’irin’y in im r tin* baitk . liuukl
to draw fnr it and tkat (lu* purrha ir nf tin* tu.-k actually
niatlt' to (111* uxlritt <d' a luillinn and a hall: that, tui ri-rri \ lUiT-
iiiati<Ht of (his purt'luu'i*, Mr. Ikuldk* had diN^Muarrd tiiat tin* haitlc.
luut no ri^'hl (o purrha.M* ati\ publir dnbt \vhatf\rr am! that tha:,(i^j>
lu‘. was taking' lui^id opurah* a."; a rnrlritum id tin* rharti‘r fnr ih(\
rrm*wal nT whirh la* wa- uiakiuit ’^'’h pitnlininu-. rMUlinu.: that,
1 h‘ had disavuwril s‘> untah nl tlu* arran*aam*tit nuuk* b\ hr a:.a*u(;
ns r(da((*d fa (ha [furrha.*-!* <if stnak. nu fla* rriuind id a uaul cjf
j)()Wr.r in (lu* bank tu rarry it iuin rtrurl and had . iil*a huti-d iu tii*u
(lu*r(‘or a pi'up.osil ii m (hat tin* r»ariu.‘*“; hnuld !.t*nd in tU** Intnk tlu\
(•crLiliralc'S, that it shnuhl rt.*rid\{* thr imiiit^y bu’ du* mvatT , pa > it;
In (lu'ir rradit nii (lu* liunk:; nf fhn bank uhirh iaaihi pay ilM-ni tht\
subsiMjiU'Ut iutrrr- 1. t[uartrr-l\\ un( il ( )rtuh«*r I ’k
I( is ap|Kir(‘jd <in (la* fart* nf flu* (u*ftrrf*dinn * that (hr bankk-;
iiunualiatr nbji*r( was in add, bu* it , prntt*«'tiuu araln I p<»' ibU»>
coul iup'iK’ii’s, li\i‘ tuillituis (n it . ili pn ablr fund , In . i*rurc* that,
accnuuiindai inn, indrprudfut nj* it-, pmuidary taunirniiifut , if iti«
c’lirri'd (la* rrspon.’dijilit \ (d' a . tudlnu ly >*«ua‘i*ak'il but uni t llani'aiit.
\'inhdinn nf iluty a;= (hr h ral arn-nt uf ihr t nn nt nnii'Ut . a vinlatiiui
whit'll at’tjiiirt*t| flu* di iiiu’tinn nf iu'inu' tia* nnly t»ni* td it ; prnuii-
lU'iil ( rans^irrw -inii:. whirli it , IVit'ml in tlu* Ibni r, altiud udliuLif to
palliatt*, did mil a(tt*iupt tn ju tify. 'I’lu* tina* at wh’u’h tu-h ii
step Nvas (ukt*n nidy hair innnths btd'ttrt* llu* Pn*- idnutml rh*(iinu,
U[)on llu* rusull. nf whirh it I’atr ua suppn rd tn *irpnnd, aiul (lu*!
ha/ai'tl nf (‘Xpnsiii’t* slu'W vt‘ry rtimdu .i\ nl y that it ininri- t in tlu^
na)M‘im*u( nr it.. ia*t*r sity bu* thn innurv ua nf ihn mn t tnpnui,
(’ha rai’i (‘r, and ihal uhatn\rr it. umfivc. ihi’V innknd prijiripally (t)
its own \''i*llan*. W hat uas thr prrrisn channni thrn* i^Uiadi tin',
bank was (n In* briH‘!i( li*il by that ari|ui .iiinu tn it . di pn siblr fumls
nr (o what parliridar purpn i* : tlu* tht* inillinn . ut*n* fit* i;riu*d ttj ]h\
upplind ai’r ntulivnlnud M’t*ri*!s td' whinh tin* pnhlir, will, pmhatdy.,
iicvnr h(‘ rally inbaanad.^ It i- .adliriunl fnr tlu- nnndi*nuiaf ifiu <»f‘
(he hank fnr ns tn know tliat itutM* fniul- hatl buun M-t a[tart and as U.
' 'rh<‘ ltu«'ft‘in*r hf'H‘ i'l »n»ju*iiU«‘-il. 'I’ht- tluiUt st|i*«u ih« Iiuuis, fs.isas i ot*
luul i»ii»»rmnttH ; tht'* attatn'lnr. «»f lu’lvat*^ Snssju . • i-ui* i rrs*, > h ..U a j-tvi-ii.
llu* pn'i'iMliStrp oV<T till- nu\ I'l'mni'liC.t llUt ir-a?. luui th> I. \\a . Iji. >.!«.{ Jm: Um Uln
o(’ lluti nurtfiiii nf Uh* puliHt- Uf-ta Ihf- .tthisiulniraUMti »P ,h««} ?«« > .a*- l ’I i.’nv*’
i‘nums»t (h-piiHflH, {hi'tHT(l«'ulty lu flu- lUiuK*;! \uunM,^ lu S Miify \s,i* Puj;. ;; I
I'li'cwlu-n* In roiuuuTflul urilvlitf;.. «tul i*»r Ihui hinnui>>]s •mut M-. fh,- r-u4i -r t**ir
\va:; fullrt-l.v I'f'hltultfaiilu. 'rUt* JituinT !■» fllHrUunnl ui 'iijiM- IripaU Itj { ‘iiliuruiroi
Ilatik of llu* t'nllfil SlntfM {('hiniau, liiua), pp. iMm liVa.
AUTOBIOGKAPHY OF MABTIjST VAIT BUKEH.
64Y
were consecrated to a sacred and glorious object — ^the payment of
the last remnant of the debt which had been contracted for the
achievement of our independence ; that an important measure of the
Government was thwarted through the infidelity of the bank and
the nation compelled to continue for a time liable for a debt which
it was ready and desirous to extinguish ; that this was brought about
by tlie secret management of a committee of an institution which was
the custodian of the people’s strong box and the trusted fiscal agent
of their Government.
The instructions for the secret agent ^ sent to London were, as it
afterwards appeared, dated on the 18^^" of July, 1832, barely a week
after the date of the President’s veto Message and closer still ux^on
the failure of the bank to obtain a constitutional majority in the Sen*-
ate. They w^ere issued and the agent selected whilst its sx)irited but
reckless President was yet deliberating with the no less reckless lead-
ers of the party which had made the cause of the bank its own and
maturing in concert plans for the ensuing xmlitical camx^aign in which
the fate of that party, for a long time at least, and the fate of the
Constitution were to be decided.
The unx)recedented success of President Jackson’s efforts for the
X:)aymGnt of the national debt, during his first teiau had already been
recognized by his fellow citizens as worthy of a civic crown and
loromised to be of no small weight in his favor in the approaching
struggle. The additional edat which his persevering exertions in
that direction would derive from an announcement gated on
the first of October, a single month before the election, that the last
cent of our revolutionary debt had on that day been x:>aid and so ax)~
Xoroxoriately x')aid under the administration of one who might be called
a shoot from the seed of that ever memorable contest, Avas a considera-
tion not likely to be overlooked by astute politicians such as led the
bank forces, especially Avhen so much had been staked on the canvass
to be influenced by that annunciation.^ Had it not been for the fate
which subsequently befell the bank, at a period not too remote to
countenance the inference that its condition may already have been
sufficiently precarious to make necessary these disrei>utable transac-
tions to guard against a collapse pending the canvass, we might not
have looked for other than political motives for their commission, but,
revieAving those scenes from the point we now occupy and in the light
of the develox^ments at which I have glanced, it is difficult to resist
^ Gon. Thomas Cadwalader.
“ It was not ovorlookod, but Biddle’s plan for accomplishing it was in the nature of a
trade, with the renewal of the charter as the consideration. Riddle’s handling of the
matter was at fault; his misunderstanding of Jackson and pre.sumptlon in assuring hi.s
friends that the charter would ho renewed caus{*d suspicion and irrUatloti in Jackson’s
mind that counted heavily against the Bank thus early in the struggle.
bui in (la* .‘•a'ljiirl hi- »• h:n«‘ Inrft r I’ut.
hiH acts nun‘Si'rviHlly corith^iuiaMh
Thi^ s(*|)nrutt* aiul romparat i^ ri\ u r* jMUi ihl.'
their Pr(*si(leu( hy the huanl t»r nirrrtni tUv hui i .»t
iueliulin^ (»!’ etJUr-'-e thna* nf tie* t imu*! uni* in . :tw<v.r41\
tioiU'erin^ purpuM^^, is the uv\t ' 1 p5“]'»‘ ni n».- .
ofliMi the. ('ast‘ ^vith sitnihir uhu !•> tla irt*! i f - .* lunii!' >h
siderahle and perhaps exuisilde hair a» t ■<:,!, ? na
iiK'reasetl in extent and hnldm- unh t!j - th *.1 fs- i
which it. originated uiul tiit' im{niiaf \ uln* ii a . \a i d.- i t
the. cauition and nualfrat inn oT n raiiin t ;..«r
carded. An nrtiele ujipeared in thr Ain.r le;
highly <*ninplinientarv t o tin' h;ud., atei, in rad -'i , I . \
pu.sstal a !’('>.t»lut ion Hitthnri/ln*» tin* Ih** siia ! !•» t j, * m
iti ra’gard to its eireulat ton at tlir t^xpru of :a>- ■ n . i
(letnn most eonditcd\e tu the inteM' i m| ts.t' l.iit*!. \.e »■
hiuiself witti d(dng \vhat he ua aut’u.aKa-d t*. id. !
caused to he re puhli Ited and eu» >d.nrd Mid^ ; ^ ^
inents having a similar lendeitfV , uieh ni M n.h, ^ si,
to the hoard (ht^ propriety of nnpuumii- \^,ui t.. * t, . “r
pared aiul einadatial siteh tloeununa andp^p.i ,i i. :-,.; .
etde to tin* pi'ople infornmiion in rt’paid {«♦ lit* u a . . .^.d «
of the hank'” w ideh . upgi* .t ion u:i piMhipiP . ii; -d ..a,
penses thns inettrnsl in tin* uair hsU ; ,'.s i
(hmtial eunva-.s) aniotmied to endnv fhon and .nal.u , a !
(Joveriunent I)irt»e(or* were emddrd iiJoPtiin s?; a.: . ?
Finding no voiiehera for many td' th* r mi.s, ! fh. Ui n: -- Id
ord(U\ timl that oftim too general tu hee. e d>.a. .oid ?►*!
inotU‘y was paiih tho e direi-tui , aiarni*“d hv i n ih. h id
hy dis<‘overing similar t»penil ion in pf«^•af.' /e* ni
oifereil to the gtmeral hoard a re uintiMn a ’..a:* i . as .!■
those (‘Xpeinlit iirt* : and of (he pnrpu , p.? a: U d» , h id
eurred and td the name td' per on t^» v iass r- J : ‘ja ,
paid, 'rids pro|ioai( ioiu uhieh rrined ii. ’sr „i i ^
ahhn was promptly \uled do^ui, rie'\ ia \i i o
ri'solution of Mai'fdn 1^'U, umh'r v.lish fh.. , »-.y»ia .a .
'*S'dt aud
?ot.en to
t h«' j <ank,
hn- rlar.
A i.
an Hjenn'
I ai M, n
.•a'f; W‘ nt
it mad
.sd. di
. Ihn lr\\
t a*- ] '» Mi'd
m-i‘ .
ii.'- noelii
n.n-ut He.*'
1*0 ufrut
nd d**rH
frd
- h- pie
‘ aunm
'p*a .it lun
i hr r\
n?" I d r 1
-o a . the
»•! I'tirm.
ad»'nt’ .
vdi tt
i-.'ii and
•’d . akn
' ' . *n nt ut
S‘«ai in
li id hf'eu
a 0-1 un
.■;!id the
fi-O
AUTOBUKaLfVPUV OK MARTIN VAN RUIIKN.
(>49
luul been tiikon. 9'lu‘ (‘ous’uU'ratioii ol* (hnl proposition w;is (li'lVnvd
by tlu'. board, on the motion of om* of its nunnlu'rs, for tlu* pnrposn
of rtH'civin**' tlir. follo\vin<x as a snbstitutt^:
h*rs()lr<'(l, that llu‘ bonril hiivi‘ foiindriu't* In llu‘ wistbuu and InlciA’ril.y of tho
3*r(‘si(h‘nt. and in Iho propidt'ly of tlu* rrsolndcais of llu* !>niU NoviMnlaa*. ISRO,
and llu‘ llih March, is;u, and i‘nli*r(aln a fidl c<mvh't.ion of ihn n(*c(*ssily of
renewed altcutloii to tlu‘ (»hjt‘ct of tlinst* rc'scdut ions and that tin* Krt'shlcnl. ho
aulhoi'iz('d and n‘(iin‘Slt‘d to ('(iutinid' his twt'rtiinis for Uk' ftnniifition of .var/t
ohjert.
'.riui (iowrmuenl. DiroclorH, tlclcrniinod it. swms lo Ifavc (lie hank
Avithoiil. an oxouse. I’or n*. fusing <0 give (ha ])ar( icnlars tliay had askial
of i>a.s(; (>x])('ii(li(tin's, oll'anal (ho followiiifj: unuanhiUMUs (o (ho [iru-
ocHliiig rosolution :
.h*('soiri'({, U'luit: whllo this hoard reposo ontin' conthh'uro in tlu' Inton^rliy of
tli(' PnhsidiMit: they r(‘Sia*ct ('iilly nMpU'St. him to t’nnst' the particulars (d’ tlu^ <*K«
piaidHures made under Uu' resohitlons of tUHh Novcinher ISRO and Itlh Mareh
J8RI. to ho HO atati'd tluU (In' snim' may 1 h' naidlly sidnnlltcd to and e\aiulnt‘d
hy llu^ hoard of Idrcadors and (ho H(o(‘khohU'rs.
Ji*rsotn'<l, that the said rosohitiiam ho n'sclialcd and tliat no further c\p(Mull-
tnn's 1 k' niadt' undt'r llu* stiino,
Tlioso amondnumts wort' voltal down and itm snbslthi((' was forth'*
VMlli a<Io|»(odJ d'his took plaoo in Ati^ir.l. iSPdk a low u<M‘ks after
tluH bank hatl di‘spatohtMl its soortd. nfX^'nl to Ihn^dand to thwart Iht^i
( fovt'rnmoni. in its purp<ist‘ to I’odoom tin* tlina* pt*r lamt s(o<»k, an nrti
whi(‘h of itsidf, ainl mon^ <‘spc‘oiully whtai t*onsi<lor{»d in oonixa’tion
with (In^ virtual so(|ni‘st rat ion of lltt' ( {uvmmnumt. ftnnls to satisfy a
ofroundk'ss chrnn for dania/^i'S on n<‘r(}nnl of t.ho protest of Iho k'roncdi
draft. - and in r(‘^anl to the Ponslon ApuuTr'’ shows that the hank tlum
n'ganlod itsolf us on^n/i:od in a stru^/^lo n routrnmn' and dooniod ovory
intaisun'. allowahh' (hat might somt' to advanri* its ohjtadr; (lit' only
rulo on wliit'h this last stop in n'ganl to tho funds of tlu‘ ( {ovornna'ut'i
(uiu ht', aocountt'd for/
In n'gard to tl\u (must ruo,ti<m Mr, Biddlo foU, liiiusolf at lihorty to
phu7' upon 51 n'solution so woiahal, its pus ago bring aooompaniod by
an ('xpross rtd’usul to (’jitl upon him to say what ho lunl ihuu' with tho
monii'S alriaidy I'Xiu'mlod siuo tho>o tin* outlay of vvhioh In* Innl hoi'ii
ploasod to aooount foi% thoiH' is no room for misiippri'hoir ion. Nor
(am any donht ('xi^-^t as (o what hi' cha'inod tho most oligihlo ohanmd
through whii'h tlu‘ powi'r thus oonh'rri'd rotdil ho oxertod with tho.
gi'oati'st aiUantago, It W5is doubt h’ss inlondod toopoiaiti' through (ho
* S<*c U'lUtit' Kxo'ullvi* huinimcntu, (‘\Jurrc:-4>, lei Sf:.:ut>u, N^s. V iiiui iVi Pt irrortit
Ilf iln' r'CMTiimml dlrcfluci to .larK-un,
■‘'IIm- l ifiM-li Ifidi-tiunlv hill tli.* dnmaK*- >'hitni fur whirh wum lhtaa> {lri*jd»‘d UfraiUMt
the Uatd. hy lUr K. S. Siirtfua* Ouurt ut» a imlut »«f law.
« ‘riu* runtrul uf Uu' pi-iifilun fmid^ wau a dlfipair uf .\14rH NiaiuHur. Il«*rr uj-adii
(he ( eiuraeni ‘si ultittidr \uci tjul ulHjvr erltiei jia,
^ Vail Uareii, uppareui ly , e.udd nut t ivu uf (he im' alhUlly (hat (!»«■ Uank'n atrurrlca
Well', hi iijul, afttirt,’. (•» jnr- fc ^ H i Ihiuneiul lainc.dh (u meet uhlh'.U luii the iiaaritdmt
aHiiUmptiuji, Ilf uhh'h u a:, an eiitii ely diHuient nm r.lhm.
turn, will never be fully known, ihe empty vaults or that once
powerful institution at a not very' remote subsequent period would
seem to mock the notion that nothing was done in that way : thirty
five millions of bank capital are not wasted in a day. But nothing
can be further from my intention than to say or insinuate, either in
these surmises or by anything I have before advanced or may here-
after say, unless a change of opinion in this respect on my part is
distinctly announced, that I believe Mr. Biddle to have been capable
of abasing his position to advance his own loecuniary interest — as
the phrase runs to “ feather his own nest ” — ^by the acquisition in any
Avay of illicit gains. I have always regarded him in that respect as
a true disciple of Alexander Hamilton, whom I have considered as
free from such reproach as were Washington or Jefferson. Hamilton,
who never hesitated to jeopard the general for the sui^port and en-
couragement of special interests, to conciliate the favor and to pur-
chase thus the adherence of the classes engaged in the latter, would
never have countenanced the application of the public money in direct
bribery and would not have survived the consciousncvss of having per-
mitted a dollar of it to reach his own pocket unworthily. I have
elsewhere spoken of the sacrifice, beyond measure painful, to which
he submitted to iDrevent the purity of his official dharacter from be-
ing exposed to the slightest suspicion by accusations which he might
have defied with safety. Such, I am very confident, was the opinion
w^hich his great rival Jefferson had formed of his character and
which he intended to express to me when, speaking on that or a
kindred subject, he exclaimed “ Hamilton was above that ! ” or “ above
such things.” Such was also, as I believe, essentially the case with
President Biddle. He engaged in a contest the excitements and irri-
tations of which brought his mind at length to the conviction that the
aiDjDlication of all means to infiuence the conduct of others that could
be useful and effectual was allowable but he never saw the day, I am
persuaded, when he would have failed to turn from the mere idea of
being himself sustained by the wages of corruption with disgust
and scorn.
ATmmrO(rnAPn V ^iAl^Plx va^ [utumn.
(>51
Such ]K)Wt‘.r us wus by (he lU'tion oT his hoard of Diivclors
was not likely to iviujiiu lono- muMuploycil in (he hands td‘ a man rdvi\
Mr, Biddle, especially as its applicalion looked towards (he acconi'
plisinnent. of an object, he had so miadi at- hiairt aiul in resp(‘c(. to
whicdi ea(‘h faculty of his (*xcilahle naturi* had been slirred into a<’-
lion, I0v(‘ryl liinn- was doiilMless attiMupttMl to ln' allefted by it. that,
lay within its reach but. tlu' i»:reat. It'vers by which tlu'. publi(*. mind
was to Ih‘ iinsettUab llu* Country distracted and the iti coining; House-
of IvepresiMvtatives driven from tlu‘ anti bank [>osition it was I’X-
])ecled to assume were the prostndion of t‘ri*dit- and tlu'. (’onset|iU‘nl.
disoro’ani/ait ion and d('pn*ssion of the business of tin* Country which
W(‘re to he brou^lh about tlii‘o’ tlie a/j:ency of tiu* bank and at'
irihuted to llu^ lUHM'ssity to which it. Inul luam tlrivmi t)f pri‘pnrinju; to
wind up its aH'airs by llu' rcd’usal to tsxtcmd its cluirter, with the- ein-
bla/onnumt and ('xa/i’^rcrations of tlu^ <lis(ress thus visited o!\ tlu'. Inml
to he fulminated during tlie, eoinin*^’ session from llu' Halls of (km
^cressd Of (he ability of the bank and its numerous branche:;, seal
tered ov'er the tkiuntry, to pro<luci‘ at will such a state <d’ Ihinpi no
iiil(‘Him‘nt man <'an enbuf ain a momentV; doubt, when he <’all.. to udnd
tlu' many millions which ikis imI aunnally ihro' its. hands in (lu*
shapt* <d' discoimls, di*pn;.i(s ami {'Xchaiii^e:*, foia'i;;'!! and dome:, tic, to
which I have hcfoiH' allndctb and Iht' control tlavu* luiw to it lad.
only (fver most of our husiiu'ss men hut al.so ov(U’ (lu* Slate hanks a.
control nuuh‘ alinosj absolntt* by tlu^ possession of (he public de-
posits, dhe, a.^snmed preliminary ari’jiu^enumt;: haviUjiL^' luam com
pl(‘i(‘d Iht* first impulst* in that ^ri*ai li.st*al ant! poliiit’al coiip (rt‘tat.
by (he U, haidv, by whicli it. was tlcsi/^iH'tl to di:~i‘ipruic tlu'
majority in out* branch of <mr National Lt*|.risla(un‘ ami to humiliab*
anoth(*i% was^’ivt'u in Iht' month of Ati^'tist, ls:Uh 'l‘his wa * lolhuvi'd
up by (lu* hank with t»tlu*rs in the saint* tfirct't ion ami having tin* same.
ohji*c(s not only nut il t lu* nu*t‘t in^?; td’ ( ‘onifn's . Imt far into t lu* st* siom
“ Anxious to briii/i; what- 1 desire (tj .say in rtvspcct. to tin* (*onduct
of Ihc liank in this ctaincctltm within the narrowt^st (*oiupasf^ **( 111 -
sisicnl with \\hal is tint* (o Irutin 1 shall ctmlciit myself with irans-
h'rriu^ to tliesi*. pajL^t*s two uceounis td’ it prt'partMl at (lu* lime with
much cun' by wt*ll known ami capahh* pcntlcim*!! uho. t* pt»\\er td’
'’Dim jjrnpiriU Inn Js Jjnl, ?;(» ». \ ill lUjJnn Jijfi i U. ‘ThU Uh*
UltnU i*UKln«‘fU-il u p uiti* 1 =, :tf l» ii f, Inn in -; a in ii*nl nl‘ «ilnr n U
h(i',U»i' t'xjiuu'sltfti fh«‘ n.iiiU iiifiUi* s nf > t» ilit tili h farUtCili'tl ninf « m
iniji.n:, i| liirUw r in Onn, il> nunnli U thn {niini >«! in* tin t t’V' jijH:, ‘I'hi i
ri.ni|Ul.,ii uriU tur hiwinil **j»'tiinr- a IlnMii'in I nfnali M nu«-.pjul S* u h»!uv
itlialn. 'I Ilf 1 iiali! tin- t J'»v» rnni* nf ruppU. i! I,'. u>I*,pi U: p«rf»-, nit U'-iOiimI*- phui ff
in;: niV tlf.' pnlill*’ n |»i*l Ult-n »»f ,lniL ;muS, Oi*' tl impni lntn*' «»r \\iriili
njiMli', M(»p;n'.nm. r.UU fl !•» i:ni p. 'IhnI On* Uunl, Uir.* nUhln!) i |n ifrj / Sn’ /.''If
pi'iitf'ft J mh ainl lhaf U 3 infhU sj * MUlnu tlt»ti nf •‘ftfllta t»* tliln rUfl
a»r Uir pitiiif' I lUJiiMt tii* K-Uinntid.
.\1S. \ I, p. TU.
with, many others scarcely less able and all abundantly qualihed, by
talents as well as by facilities for obtaining all necessary statements
from the bank, to detect any error of fact or of deduction into which
Mr. Taney might have fallen; to a body moreover which was soon to
pass upon his own nomination for the high office for which he had
been selected and which it was not, at that early period of the ses-
sion, supposed by the sober minded men of either party could be
brought to strike down a man of a character so singularly unex-
ceptionable without a better excuse than that of expediency or parti-
san prejudice. It was freely and fearlessly committed to the hands
of men who had the strongest possible temptation to arraign and con-
demn him if it could be shown that he had done injustice to an im-
portant monied institution under the impulse of political hostilitj?’.
Mr. Taney thus speaks of the conduct of the bank upon the subject
under consideration;
The situation of the mercantile classes also rendered the usual aids of the
bank more than ever necessary to sustain them in their business. Their bonds
for previous importations were, as before stated, constantly becoming: due and
heavy cash duties were almost daily to be paid. The demands of the public
upon those engaged in commerce were consequently unusually large and they
had a just claim to the most liberal indulgence from the fiscal agent of the
Government, which had for so many years been reaping harvests of profits from
the deposits of the public money. But the bank about this time changed its
course.
By the monthly statement of the hank dated 2d Aug., 1833, it
appears that its loans and domestic bills of exchange, pur-
chased and on hand, amounted to $64, 160, 340. 14
By the monthly statement of the 2d Sept, 1833, they appear
to have been G2, 653, 850. 50
By that of the 2d Get, 1833, they were. GO, 094, 202. 93
Reduction in two months 4, 06G, 146. 21
By the same papers it appears that tlu^ public deposits, including those for
the redemption of public debt, the Treasurer’s and those of the public ollicers,
were, in Aug $7, 500, 031. 47
in Sept 9,182,173.18
in Oct 9, 868, 435. 58
2,268,504.11
Increase of the public deposits in two months.
Total amount collected from the community.^.
6, 334, 650. 32
AUTOBIOGRAPHY OP MARTIK YAH BUREH.
653
Thus upwards of six millions of dollars were withdrawn from the business
of the Country by the bank of the United States in the course of two months.
This of itself must have produced a pressure on the money market, affecting
all commercial transactions. But the curtailment in the bank accommodations
of the community was much larger. The policy adopted by the bank of the
United States compelled the State banks to take the same course in self defence
and the bank of the United States appears to have resorted to the expedient
of drawing from the State banks the balances due in specie and to have hoarded
up the article in its own vaults.
In August, 1S8B, that bank had in specie $10, 023, 677. 38
In September 10,207,649.20
In October 10, 663, 441. 51
Showing an increase of specie in two months 639, 764. 13
This sum it is believed was chiefly drawn from the state banks. To fortify
themselv(‘s those banks were compelled to call upon their debtors and curtail
their accommodations ; and so large a proportion of these calls are always paid
in their own notes that to obtain $100,000 in specie they are probably obliged
to call for four or five times that amount. To replace the specie taken from
them by the bank of the U, States and to provide for their own safety the State
banks, tliereforo, must have curtailed from two to three millions of dollars. On
the whole it is a fair estimate that the collections from the community, during
those two months, without any corresponding return, did not fall much short
of nine millions of dollars. As might have been expected complaints of a pres-
sure upon the money market were heard from every quarter. The balances
due from the State banks had, during the same time, increased from $368,-
969.08 to $2,288,573.19 and, from the uncertain policy of the bank, it was appre-
hended they might suddenly be called for in specie. The State banks, so far
from being able to relieve the community, found themselves under the neces-
sity of providing for their own safety.
A very large proportion of the collections of the bank in August and Septem-
ber were in Philadelphia, New York and Boston.
the curtailment in Philadelphia Avas
Increase of public deposits
In August and September
$195, 548. 69
646, 846. SO
Actual collections by the bank
Increa.se of public deposits in New York - _
Deduct increase of loans
$842, 395. 49
$1, 396, 597. 24
331, 295. 38
Actual collections of the bank
Curtailment in Boston was
Increase of public dex^osits
1,065,301.86
717, 264. 45
48, 069. 88
Actual collections of the bank—
Total collections in the three cities
765, 334. 33 765, 334. 33
$2, 673, 031, 68
It will be perceived that it was solely thro’ the increase of the public de-
posits that the bank raised balances against the State banks in New York, and
was placed in a situation to take from them at its pleasure large sums in specie.
And when it is considered that those curtailments and collections of the bank
of the United States necessarily compelled the State banks to curtail also we
shall be at no loss to perceive the cause of the pressure which existed in the
commercial cities about the end of the month of September. It was impossible
fif)4
AMlsIMtWX II IS'lNHMt ‘All ASStu *I A'l’K i X,
Hull lli(* r*(»nim(‘r{'l;il l 'ontuiniiil.v (n»u}<! h.-iVi* mu»'h lun-^vr iiihlri*
siicli ;i I>nli<'y. In (lii* I wu surtM*nilin:‘: Juniitli-- t h«' «'« «lh cf ifir: »it' lln* bank wmilil
pnilinhly lijiN'n (*\r«uMl(*(l livi* inini(»ns inurt‘ Mint fin* Shift* ItjusK*; unuhl Inivt" Imm-u
( ihlipMl (t» curlnil in an 4*1(11111 sum. 'i’lu* t»i hasiL n* » munin.la! inn . (n
llu'ainimnl of niimh'i’n inillituis of dtiMars in fiun* mtmi hs imr-( iia\ «* uhn.«-,{ ((t((
an <*11(1 1(1 Iradt*: ami hcrtin* flu* lirsi tn’ lU'ii'lu-r ilds iirf ..nrt> in tiu* (irimiiial
(•(innn(‘i*{*ial citii's had ItcctuiK* .*;(» Inffii-i* lliaf if ttinld mu hn^«* lirm iaitlnri*d
niinii liuaaa* willmul (lia ni»‘‘-t siTituni i*m!»a rrm um-ni It ua. tlu*n ihdly in
cfcasinv: and, rr»>ni ila* Imsl inrt.naal hm flial I laiv«* l<i‘i*n aldi* f*. nhfasn. 1 .mid
pcrsuadtal liiaf if Ila* pnltlic nn*ni*'s I’m* n*\i*nur h;ul l.tM n i..ntinu»‘il tn
lie (h*pnsih‘d la Ila* liank <•(’ tin* Tidtcd Shift* - hir (uti imuUlm kui.'rr ami h Inn!
adlaUTd In Da* np(>n‘ssj\ n s^.sfnin nl’ u flit'll h pu?' imd flni ia,' tUr f',\n
ifracadlia: namllis a with* Npn*;}i! saria* nf hanivrnpf»'\ jiml min nai i Uam- fiii
Inwad. iimn* w'as lai aUcrjial i vi* DmrnlMrt* !nr t la- i m-i atr^ I f aa*nf pip fn
a<'( al niK't* nr ahaad«»n (la* nluVni nlh»af( ht-r. I»utj*. «,! Da* in !a*u clmrari.T
wtudd nttl pt‘nnii ila* laKt-r <*nur*.f and 1 diti md la- ifaf^- pr..mpfl> (n rt*;:.,ri
l(» Da* Atnnar. 1 Nih-s’ Knyishm, vnk hi. j,. t»rd. j
I lit* t’lui ai lin(*n{ (»l (In* linnk tilia'ijUniD D* tin* prt*|i;ir:ti ieui n(* fhin
paiUM-, iis (Icrivi'd rnuu its own n'|i(.ri- , wa a full.iu : h, tv..-iai ihi'
lirsi (if ni'cciiilicr. wliifli \va^. tin* .lay (’.hcmv . m. t an.l tin-
llrsI (il July. iSt’il, wlifii { ’(III ;;fri •:■■ ■, ad jnuriuMl, S”., I:'*-,!,".-' ; l.riui'. n tin.
lirsi. (d' July and llu' lirst id' S.'i.t.aul.iT. | , 1 ; t..!:il iv.lucii.iu
in (hirti'cii lunutli.s. iududlii'r ihal r.lii.di t>>.Jv ida.-.- !i.'t‘..rc (1,,- Hr | ,,1'
Dcri'iulicr, ujinu a diciuiil liiu- id' iviv I’l.iir ladii.iit . at
whi.'ii il . (...id Aiiyni. l I: t u l„ui it . .■ui tailiu. ul .•..iiuiifiic.-d ; nii.I
all this u asdniii' wldl- l tin* ( !. .\ (•iiiiui-iil df)i.. it', in il,,- haul, ha.l i.iilv
luM'li I'rdui’.'d till' udIliiiu.'S I M'l u tiu' tir I nl Auj'u t 1 s'l.’i au.l tlu*
lint (if .Vu!;:u:.t
I lur.' Il'f ri-ailcr (i> r^•IM•rUM' and rrllcft U)..in tin- al'ii\ .• In i.-f i-\t ra.-|
Iruiu Mr. lauuys ri'|«iil t.i (il. i-rxc llu- l•l.■alUl• , tin- .li liiH tiu-
and 1 1 ) 1 ' (iln i.ius i ri'cd.itu l'|•clUl i-it Itci- tc I'fx u nr | .a i.-u v, in.-ii . hara.'
Irrizi' it;-, .'.latciucul (d tlu' lai'l-. that liflciiur in tin- . a aiul llic ii r.'-
1 1 ap^aldi' [U'ciul.s it di't I ucc I inm t li.'iu that t li.' act ■ iiu j ml .'.l f.. i In- haul.
wcro Miluulary and ucr.. (hi' r.' nil., ..f a i.n'i-.m. frti'd plan (.. .li ..r
j^.inizi' ainl hri'ak np, at l.-a t lur ;i .'a nii, (In' .'.x- i. in .d l•ll•dit . niid.'c
xxiiich th.' ('(lunlry xxa: ih.'it and ha.l h.-.'n I'.n' a |,m;c tiiu,' .•,,i i ,..d im
with fair .mic'i' . and in thr.ixx apparent l_x in nnin.iiutahle ..!. ta.-le.
in 111.' xxay n| it.s larllicr pr.ise.'nl Inn. t i(< np d,.' .Siat.' haul. , h.ind
and I'.. lit. and. ihii:: inanael.-d. (.. eshihit t.. th.-ir x i.-xx th.' iie.-e if \ .,f
('l.isin^Mhcir d.iiii','; as th.' .'.'rtaln peiially ..f aiu a .d tane.- ih. x nii;_dit
he (t'inpfi'il in nll'nr.l (hf ( hix .'I'lnin'iit li.v (In' ; npply ..f phi.'.' ..f dep.. it
Inr til.' pnhii.' fniuls in li.'it nf its ..xx n \ anil .. and, a . an nnax ni.lahli'
('nnst'ipu'ii.'i', (n till (In' C.iuntry \xilh I'M'ili'in.'iit and pauie.
'I'liat this was iindi'rtak.-n with a latent .Ii'.'i;.ai ..n th.' hank’, part,
afli'i- it, had fun-i-.l an c.vti'nsinn of its .'Inirl.'r fr.mi (he f.-ar nf the
.\IH. VI, |i.
i i).
ATTTOBKHIKAPU V <M‘’ MAllTIN VAN lUHlKN-
i
(555
Oomitry, to reeoiistnict tlio systoni (lins i-iidoly an’c‘stt‘(l is
prohnblo, ^K'.rliaps uii(1ouI>((m1.
I (-‘aimot tako. it upon inysiOT io say ibti! in llu’ nunuo'ous inani-
fostoos of ike lanik, in the reporis of ( Nniuniltet's <k*\oitul to its su[)”-
port or in [)iil)]ie sjxMM'lu'S, prorcMxlin^’ Troin similar sourei's, iloeii-
numts whi(‘lu from tlu'ir ol)vinns desi/xn to pt'rvtn-l insti'ml of in main-
tain the truth, soon lH‘i*aim'. ol)solt‘lt* attempts were not made* (o over-
throw Mr. Taney's faets and to t‘Xplotl(^ his dednetions. !5nt tlud.
siu'h attem])is were tmatien(h*d with iht‘ slightest suee(*ss is etn’tain.
My next extriu‘t is from a s))i‘ee]i made by (Inirehill (\ (’ambre*-
len^, a jxentleiuan who doseinaHlly o(‘eni»ied a hii»*h position amonix
th(> a])l(\st and purest of the. r('prt‘S(mtati V('s whom t!n‘ ^reut city of
Mt'.w Voiiv has, fi’om tinu' to time, simt to tlu' National Legislature,
ft was a partisan spe<'eh mad<‘. bidbre- (he Ivepuhliean yonn_i>’ men <)f
New York, in tin* (‘onrs(‘ of a politieal eampaiixn, tlu' n(‘\t. aftm* ttu\
l)ani(*. session and nftt*r tin' pime wldeh had (mp:r(J:ss‘ii its attention
was suhstaiitinlly ]>laytal out. l(.:i statement:: may ilnnad’ore In* takt'U
with a poi’tion, tho' not. a larjxt* one, of (he allowanei* whleli i:; eoiU'
moldy and properly madi' in sueh east's. I havt* known Mr. t'ani-
hrc*l(Mi/x Inn/x and intimati'ly ami 1 am tjullt* .sure that. I wi>ll muh'r-
stand his rharnrtt'r. A Nortli ('art)linian hy birth and a frieml and
diseipit'. of Nathaniel Maeon In*, has t hrtni’dnnii. onr int t'retmr.se ih*m-
onstratt'd himself to my ohs(*rvntion as tnnu'st a ^ tin* :.teelyni*tl ami
as dirtx't in tlu'. pnrsuit td* his pnrpo.-t* as a shot from a eulvt'rin.
He is a chair Inavded, painstaUin;X% imlefat i/xahh* ami (‘omi'ii'iit ions
man, anient in polities hut ineapahh* td* Ivmiwinyiy saying* anythin;X
to ath’ant'i* his eaust* uhieh la* dt>es not hehn'M* to ht* triu*, ami, to
me- a I. least.. In* always semned to he as anxious ami earefid in n*r‘pt*tM.
to his ri‘))n*si*nt ation of facts as if In* svns nmh*r tuitlu lmlei*tl 1
ha\‘e. ne\(*r known a man (t; s(al<*rm’nts 1 wotihl nnn*(* I'eadily
trust, my own intt*r(‘4::. Prtmdly eon:;t’itni.s of the ehai*aett‘r he had
aetjuii’i'd tlu*re. was small danger that he wtadtl etimuiit himst'lf to
any a\‘t‘i'im*n(s in the pr(‘M*ne(* of his t'oirf it nents upon a nmst. t*x-
(*itin^ subject which hc' hud not fully eonsith*retL What la* said
on theot'casiou referred to was spoki*n and jmldi: bed in the virinity
of (In*, hank, by tlu*. side of (la* most iuipor(ant <d’ its brambe::, and
was liahh*, if untrue, b> be. expj).M*d ami r»)nt I'ailieled at (In* moim'iit,
and 1 know that, nothing e<»iild ha\e l>et*n mon* mort i fyinj.»; lo hinu
apart, from any impea<‘hna'nt. of his t rnthrnlne. s, than t<} lia\i* herii
[•(Hivieted of imu’enruey upon tla* suhji'c’t-, nor any p;'n‘aler pains
I ;iken t,o hi* eorn*ot ,
The lir.Nl slcp luLcit by (In* luiaU, I la* aalil) was im Da* mih Aaeti' I, hiNj
yi*Jir, (l.sa.’il (111* M-rniul nil th«* 1 -a ul’ ()<*reil)i-r. rruihli JiuUi liy
(In* I’miU'd nrUt'ii'fi thal (In* nr»*tniinn (»a <*\<’hanj':«* Ninniltl In* mlvnin'ml (Inn in»
bilUi ahnllbl la* narnluisrib ex«.’i‘Ut cju tin* Athiulb’ fiUn.a, Mnbib* atul N<-vv < U*-
AMKUICAN UISTOliU‘Ah ASSi H 'l A'l’inN.
05G
loniis, and at sh(»rlcr dalos- lluU l<‘niis in (lu* Mmuld )»»» ri»ii\ crhul iiiin
bills on (lu‘So citU'S" -(liai I In* hranohts shonld discmi! imn* iH-otaviiit' tin- Jmhvs
or distant Stato ImiiKs that tlu* balatuu-s against iitl Mirh banks shnuia b,.
coIltaMod, and (lu» bank lininodiatoly rcimiafiintut a rapid onnadna'nt.
inoasun's calcnlaUMl ((» ruin our niorcliants. brrak our iira if at inn . and diaturb
our cui’iaairy afnl i'\t’bauf-^*‘^'» wt*ro jiduiUojl bfiauso <uhrr t».inks \sim«‘ nbnui tt»
iu» t«uii>l<»yt'd to colloft tin* i)ublic n*v»‘nUf! Snob \vt'n‘ tin* prrparations madn
Idr ail oxplosion (Ui lln‘ inoi'linK ol’ (’onarovs. With fin* . .hmi tho rainp.iian
ooinau'ia’od v i;L!;t*rousIy, its truMids in butli !Ic»u* ns t«prin‘d in tnll «■!') , wlnlo thn,
<)p(‘ralions (d’ tlic lOxohanno <’onnidtlot‘ worn U’-tivn in pan ut tb»- I'ninn.
Tli<‘ ri'solulious ol* ibo k'Uii August won* oxprosHly ib-daiird tt> jiriu flm brain In-a
on <lu‘ A(lan(i(% and i*sp(*niaUy tlu' Now \t»rk braunli, ullii tunds in fnlis ai
lunoty days to rroato a dt'lu against thn loral banks I iMlor th*- ro ‘dutiMus uf
liotli dab'S solan Ibiriy tU' forty luUlions hi bills \\oro llirown into tin* Atlantia
(•hl(‘S, Alobilo and Now nrlonns, ha* o«»lbs't btn, U hilo fln* .t* ndlliiiiri urn*
drawn from llvo diiulnisliod rosourros t»r our ilisfrt^ soit nirrohant > and uhtlo
tin* ba'iil baidvs worn alarnird nt llndr aoiaiiuulat in-': dobls to tin* branohrs tho
publio nion woi’o ainusotj uiilj wooKly statouioni ^ ol' (brir di ronni . jo an
(Umk'i* of I boll* friondsidp. Armod with Clio-^a* millions in Wo torn ilrait , wiUi
balanoos sloadll.v a<-ouiaulat inr., tin* bnun h nl Nov, ^ m !* u»»idd bu\r drawn
froni oui* oily banks tboir last dollar aini would ba\r brol,rn o'.na. b:ink in Ibo
Union bad not tin* Soi'roinry of tbo d‘roa‘.ur>, boiwom ib»* r.oib Srpirmtu r and
ibo Ist April, imwontojl tlmt hrani'h from ouUrrtinv. Ss.Vi'.o.ihhi ii;td In* md
Uriuod our I'ily inslhutions with noar nitio inillioir; tlrirnd tho wlndo (‘ountry
In lids war upon Ks trado ami rurn'uo.v. |/*.r/;a t.'lobr, ls::i. papo JM.I
^.riu' addil.Ii dial dola ils of fho slops lakou [iv I In* hank tti iii\ol\-o
and {'inharrass tin* rnalil;; aiul ldisint*>s of tin' (‘ountrv {and tlu*y
lire nowlitUH* so inh*lli‘n‘n( ly slated 1 (.anhraood tin* fniitv; nf movo
intuits iiiahirotl I’lnil doM'lopinonl . inadt' : uhst*i{tionl to Mr, d’aui'vV;
r(‘p(d’(, and whirlu -a:; far a.s tln*y t*xi tml uiion tho hutot* uus pn*-
pared \vt*rt‘ known only (o tin* hWohaiUM' ( ‘oininil fet» and porhaps {o
its jiolitieal (Mdifnlaiils. Iiotli *Mi\ Taney lupl Mr. (’aiuhndenp;
liint, iho' in dilloreni ileixreos, the rennoal (if tin* ilrpo if-, a a
tm^asiire tleti'miiiUMl upon in eonseiptenee of the enrtailnu*nt hy tht*
hank of its line of <lis<'<dnu, aiul <d) reft*rrino; to tlu* Uto , of tho
bank pri’ss and othei* eiiannels thnd whii’h that iir titulion \va. di*
IVndml I{. will Ik* hdtnd tluit those* euriailnu'tits uri* jU‘ttlu*il and
(‘Xeiisml tin the* ^LCrtaind ilnit they lead h(‘en niatle indi pen aide hy
tin* ri*moval td’ (lit* tteposits, Idlest* a>sinup( ions on ei(hi*r sitle ueri*.
in tin* main unfnnndt*d. d'lu* two pr<an*t*dino's ran into i*aeh of !u*r
iind \vt*i't'. utd'd after tlieir nppeaninet' to st rnno^Unni the res.pfs*tive
positions which the*- Pn'sident. ainl tin* hank hat! nssinned : they,
notwit hstaiulin^kN tiri^inaletl in souna*s snlistantially if md wholly
]ud<‘p(*ii(h*ni (d’ {‘iiidi ot Iu*r,
In n‘sp(*rt. to his own aetioiu Mix I'antw* took (la* ea‘e as it food
at; the moment and the r(‘asons and mo(iv(*s hy wdiitdi he wa ^^ov
ornetl in eonstmtin/if in- la* the. a/»:en|. for tlu* removal <d' tlu* d{*p<f.-ifs
were, doubtless precisely sneh us he deserihed thenu Hut, ns has ah
AUTOBHHUiAlMI Y OK MAIITIN A’AN lUMlKN. l)«) /
muly 'been in ])nrt- explaiiUHl, tlial. inoasurt', iC .sal islai'tory arrau<»*o-
.inonis witli, ilu‘ Stale btinks be madi‘, was in subslama' cle-
cidcul U])<)n by PresultMii. tlacksoii some tluvi' months beTore Mr.
Taney came into the Tri'asiiry Depart numl. The .Presiiltmt rt*-
^•artled the (|uestion of the eontinnanee. ivf the 'hank as deiermineil
hy liis own re-eU'etion and was, from, the monumt. of that- <’vent.j
rc‘.soI\’ed that, nothing should he want-in/); on his part to earry into
etreet the (hudared will oT tlu'. p(‘ople. Ih' Inul. stam (‘iiou/i:!^ in the
summer and autumn of of tlu- reckless use tlu' hank waseapal)li\
of ,nuikin<i; of tlu'. funds under ils<‘ontrol to promote, its own (mds to
stand in maul of no fmfluu* [)roor on tluit [aunt. The. eonihu'l. of the
bank after tin*, result- of the election was known ssdisfual him In*-
yond a. doubt that it- had (Udermiiual to ta)n(inut* tin* war, a ta)n*
elusion full\^ <a)ntirnual hy tlu'. proiaaalinn’s of the. iiuadin^ of stock-
h<dd(‘.rs in Au^aist, carrying out tlu‘ wishes of Mr. iruldh* hy in-
struct-injL!; the dire<’tors to lamew tlu^ application for a new <bart(‘r
at tlu'. lu'xt session, and h(‘- was (aiually (h‘tt*rmined tliat tlu' puhli<‘.
monies should not, so far as hi^ i'ould ri|.'id fully pn*vent it-, a^'aii\
constitute* part of ils lav'^ourcavs for tin* c-onlliel. It was, ht'side.s, in-
disp(‘nsahl(‘. that, lunv [)lac(‘s of di*posii. sliould hi* proviihal, and lu^
was the last- man likely to postpone so essential a point in his ar-
ran<i:('m('nts until tlu* ev(*. of tlu* hatth* which it hccaini' lau’laiu hl^
would huv(». to tl^ht D)'i*r a^aiuid IIi*, thiu'efore, from tlu* month of
flune till its consummation, k(*pt that- important, tneasuri* tlu* re-
moval of tlu*. d(‘posits constantly in vic'W, res(dv(»d to do nothin|JC
rashly, nothin/j: that, woidd work unn(M*(‘ssary harm to the haidv or
furnish it with ;j^rounds for sinister appeals in pulilii* sympathy, hut
as tirmly (hu'ided to omit or lu'^h'ct nothiuji*; that- mitrht ht* diunnnded
by t-lu'. t‘xi/L!:('nei(*s of the oi’casitm. Ih* did ind(‘(*d use. tlu' sidiseqii(‘nt
a.hiis(‘s of ils power* by the baidv, in the. paper he nubinitled to his
(fahinet and in his messages to ( 'ougresi-;, to .stn*ngtheu tlu* position
hi* had tak<*ii, hut- he nowlu're si*! tlH‘m up a.s’' furnishing the
(U’igimd grounds for taking it. Such was tlu* easi* also with the
bank in regal’d to tlu* measun*s it. adiJpted to impair the credit ; of
tlie (kmntry, to ohsi ru(‘(. its hiisiiu‘ss and to till it witli di.stractinn
and pani(^ llu'si* wi‘res tlu*. hit.li*!* fruits cd’ couns(*ls am! deei ^ioir;
long anterior to the suggc'stion of tlu* I’emoval id' the puhlie de-
posits, or )M*rhaps to tlu* thought, of ri'inoving tlu*ni, and wivuld havi*
he(‘n [)iit. in opi*ra-tion at the -anu* time and with the same views if
tlu* deposits had not he(*n reinovi’d.
Ihit- alt ho’ that great measnn*, wdiieh, ns far as f know or i*ver
hud n*ason to l)elieve, liad ils orig'in in the ({(‘neraPs own hn*asi.
and in the ex{*(*utinn of whieh at all evimts hi* took the lead of all
■ MS. VI, j), .sti.
vur, '.i lio
658 AMERICAl^ HISTOPvICAL ASSOCIATIO^T.
the friends about him availed more than any, perhaps than all
the others that were adopted to frustrate the flagitious schemes of
the bank ” — (as they were truly and aptly termed by Mr. Appleton,^
of Boston^ who had been its early friend) it was not the occasion
of them, and proved indeed, in many respects, to its confederated
supporters a valuable windfall. It enabled the bank to substitute
for the application for a renewal of its charater, in support of which
it was at the moment acting, a fresher and far more popular issue,
that of seeking redress for a great public wrong which it charged
to have been committed bj^ an arbitrary and unconstitutional exer-
tion of Presidential authority. Under that disguise its supporters
were enabled to promote its interest more effectually than in any
other way. It was to them a welcome, change in ^ the front of
battle ’ which relieved for a season the object of their exertions and
hopes from the odium which naturally attaches itself in the i)ublic
mind to all applications for monopolies, more especially when they
are supported by exceptionable means and when, as in this instance,
they have been pressed ad nauseam.
The strong, tho’ in my judgment, necessary and constitutional
ground taken by the President in removing Mr. Duane when the lat-
ter refused to carry out his policy, after engaging to do so or to
resign, enabled the bank to give the new issues which arose out of
it a high degree of plausibility by means of the extensive control
it had acquired over the p)^iblic press, presenting as it did a favor-
able opportunity for an appeal to the inveterate and honest preju-
dices of the people against what was called ^ the one man power,’
But these were neither the only nor even the principal advantages
the bank derived from the chance thus afforded to blink, for a sea-
son, the principal question on which the Country was again to be
divided, and divided moreover under circumstances more stringent
and dangerous than had before existed. There were scattered thro’'
the Congress and in gi*eater proportion thro’ the body of the people,,
particularly in the Southern States, a numbei‘ of clever men, many
of whom still occupied distinguished rank in the Democratic party
and most of whom had been laiown for their constant opposition
to a national bank on the ground of its unconstitutionality. Of
these some through private griefs and others by open difference
of opinion from the President on various subjects had been drawn
into the ranks of the bank party and were now in their hearts
desirous that the bank should triumph, if for no other reason
than to break down Jackson and the administration. They however
did not think the prospects of success as yet sufficiently auspicious
to justify them in venturing to vote for it directly, a course which
^ Nathan Appleton.
AUT()IU<)(;!lAI»n V (M‘ MAIITIN VAN lUMn'lN.
051 )
AVould (drcrniually impugn ihoir past prrlonsinns, but, whilst m>t
([iiilo ripo to suppori its applioni ion Tor a now (‘liaidiu*, ihay could
idl ]h\ rclital on to tidvc opt'U aiul (h'ciihMl o-romul with (lie hank
apiinst (he removal of (he dt'posils and in favor of (ludr ivs(ora-
tion. 1 (• the passaire of a hill or joinl. resolution dina-( ini); (he puhli<!
deposits to he restored <a)uld liave been pnamreth souu' of these men,
without whose voles the hill to extend the charter of the hank
eoidd still not have tiassed the House, would douh(l(*ss, l)y an easy
c:rada( ion, liave reached (heonliri* ehan|Lj:c'. of 4ni opinion which most,
of them, already rcfrin'ded as an incuinhramv and wotdd have voted
for that hill Watkins heifrh, of Virginia, in many n'spi'cts o(a*u-
pied such a. posit iom An edmaded man and distiiifroisluMl lawyer,
then rt‘pn\sen{ in^ A'ir^inia in ihi*> SenatiN he disdared on its (loor
that, he had made ilu'. (iiu'slhm of const it ut ional power his study
and had arrived at a c^Iear eonvitiion that, tlu', constitution, whi<*h he
had, on entering; the Senate, sworn to support, cotdVrrtMl on llu*.
(\)nf.>^riass uo authority to (\s(ahreh such an institution, luii. that, lu^
could yet. hriun; himself to \oit‘ for one to a\oi<i a rrriad tu* (‘viL Ihis
(‘vil he (houohl- lie saw in the arhilrary e\('rci;;(‘ of iiuconst it ut ional
•powiu* of which h(‘ accused (lu* Prc -idiuit. d'lie oppiuiunity of
ine; siK’li a vot(', uinhu’ cir(mmstam'i*s rcmh'rin^ it. cmiain tlial. a hill
to ilu» (dlVct d('scril)(Hl would In' {‘arrital l»y it, was m‘vt‘r prcs(m{<Hl
to Mr, l 4 <*if»:h; if it luvd ht^m so prt'stmled iu llu' coum* of that winter
1 ha\'(* never doubted that he would havi* availeil himscdf of it.
Thus tlu' lU'W shapes which tin* rcunovnl of (he tk'posils imahled
the hank to fx'ivi) to the. issue' with whieh its supporters eui(*rcMl upon
the. [lanie session, espe'cinlly as no one* eotikl demhl. that ilu*ir stice’ess
in eompeUln^ the restoration <if (he d(*posits wotdd la* the harbiiifijt'r
of itvS re-incorporat ion, was a tdi*nr ami impoi’iant aelvanlap* oiu'.
whie’li, if it had b(*i*n wis4*ly iisetl, lui^ht luivi* made*' tlu' rt'suK of tln^
s( rujLifc'le* iiion* elotihl ftd,
Salisfit'el (hat it luul done* its full shan* toward:; proelucin/jf (hat
coiulitiou of (he publie* lubul wliirh utis thoUjii;ht nc*ce*sHiu*y tei the'
acce>mplisinm‘nt of flu'ir re'spen’t i ve* purpo.*-('% the bank waite'd tuily
the opemin/uCnf the* ( k)n/Lrr<*ss for (In' performum’i* (d‘ the' part assi/^m'd
to lu*r allie's. Helyin^ on th(*ir tieh'lity to (he {MHiimon cause* it.s
tniste‘d niana/j^e'rs ami all outside* fricmls w1m» liad l)<»(‘n initialt'd into
the mysii'ry of the evil time’s stotMl resnly, at the* appointed sij^ual, to
si’inl to the* National (kipitol (In* wails ed’ ire.tress pre*pareel feir tlu*.
occasieui whie’h, whi‘n .set to jiaiiic ikUi’n ami iv e'clua^d from its walls,
wotdd it. was (Mjididemt ly e*\p(»e*t e‘ek cause e*ve‘rv man of leusim^ss ami
(*spc(’ially (hose who wi*rc dcpcmleut upon cri*elif te) epiake* witli fear,
friemls as wi'll as foi‘s, it beiu^ wt*ll umU*rNttH>el that ne> jianic wenihl
be re’pirded us real which wub not generuL Before settliu/^ himself
AMKUU^AN n isTdiiK’AL Assot’i.vriox;
C ()0
at Wasliin^ioii for (hi'. si‘s.sii)U Mi’. (May paid Mr. I^iddlt' a \i>ii al
.Philadidpliia. AVilli in contiMiiplat i<ni, ul \\!ii(’li tlu'V
Averc llu‘. coiitri vtM's and child* iMiirintHM’s, ol a fharaclin* .* o itnpnrtanl,
so c<)in[)rtdu‘nsi vt‘, and, may 1 not add, consitlmaii^’ the intelliij.'tMhU'
of iriu*. people to -whom lh(‘y would ultimaiidy havi' to ai’cniint lor
them, so reckless also, there wviw of coursi', preliminary point ; to
be settled wliicli could mjt he safely .siihmittiMl to a multitude of
councellors. These, or the most, matcu’ial id’ them, wt* ha\(* a ri^dh,
from sul)SiM|uent devidopments, to infer, weri' setlhal in tlu‘ iuteiniews
which took ])lacc between thosi' aentleimm (Mi that octae imi, and <mu‘
of tliem was, 1 do not- tit all doubt, that which I havi‘ btd(jri‘ iilhided
(o as having b(‘(‘n uppiuanost. in Mr, (May’s mind from tlu' bet^in
ning’”“ ih(‘. (jiK'stion of tin* political haidiu’ship (d* tht^ bank force's in
the t‘;iinj)ai_i>:n in whicli tlu'y had thus far pro'rn*: : ed and of w hich
they W(‘ri'. about, to (‘iihu’ up(Mi that portion e- pecially c(Mnmitt(*d to
the skill and darin;i.*or ptMit iciaiis. Mr, (May, 1 am sali- litMl, did md,
l(*.a.ve Philad(‘lj)hia bi'fori' it wasdtdiiiit is cly sett led bid wt*cn Mr, Puddle
and himsidf that, in ail tliat was political in tlu' fntnn* uHnimient:; of
tJie alli(»s, tlu‘. nans shoidil be placta! and kept in hi haml- ami that
in iH'Spect. to iU‘ci.sions in thi' bed n'sort. hi:- control : botthl be both
absolu^(^ and (uxcliisi vis MMu* time had ari'lvial wlum he emdd m>
lona'i'i* alfoi'd and would not coum'uI to t rn.‘d to arrangement - h’ .
delinite and compreiaMr i \ e. WMiati'Vt'r may ha\e i>etm tlu' ('ouditloii
of otluu’s lu‘ was a fi’ct* aijfent, MMh* bank could i*\er«’isi* me control
over his actions and Mr. Hiddh* was nnuh^ to umh*r.daml that ■ uch
W('n^ (.h('. conditi(Mis on which ahme the* latti*r eotdd rccri\c hi aid
and that witlumt a (MJinpliancc with tlicni he would md pruciM'd
anolluM* st{d> in that directi(Mi. MMu" t' ar(* • I roinr a tuuption hut thi'
riMidiU’ will, in ( In' ,sc(}ticl, say wladhcr they an* md. a.^ true a.s trouts
MMi(‘ ladatieMis lu‘twi‘(*n Mr, (May and Mr. \\‘t*b:ter if e\(‘r e\en
intimate* had bei'u so only elnriipr brie*f peTiealr. when tht*y we'n*
thrown (ejm'lluT hy aee*ielental ami imjM‘ra{i\e eirenni: t ama^ . : realh
frie'iidiy ami eemlieli‘ni iai, in tlu* siuisi* in whie*h the latter I'rlalion
(d)tains ln*tw(*i*ii uu*n wlm. sinee*ri*ly like* {‘at*h (dln^r, the\ had m‘V(*r
lieen, th(*re is <i:ood r(»ason to lu'lieve^ in the* (’(Mir i* ed* their live* . At.
the moment eif whieh wi* are* sp(‘akin.»: theiu* was md a vediev of
that S(‘ntim{*nt on idtlu'r side. What Mr. Hidelh‘'s persount ]♦ref(*r
er(‘nc(‘S, as bet wia'ii tluan W(‘n\ I have* m*ver hael . unieiont oppor-
tunity to form a la'liabh* opinion; frenn liis o-eneral eliai-ae(e*r and
Ids t(‘nipi*r I W'oidel iiPVr that ‘ hi‘ Ieam‘el to the* .'^ide nf Mr. (Mav,
but. of that. 1 know mdhina\ m*itlu‘!' was it mate*r’ial bu' the*y had
all arriv(‘d at. a crisis when siU’h fci'lin//-, lost their pcnvt*r cner the*
conduct, of pulilie^ imn. It. was at. Mr. \\M*hsti‘r that the* niTiiwjst^-
MS. VI, p. Hr..
AU'roIUOdliAlM I V OK M AK'IMN' VAN I'.rKKN’.
(itVl
luoul; of wliich .1 h:iv(' spokou was v aiiircil. ( ion for
th(‘. (list iiiot ioH}^ in prosja'i*! was appri'lioialctl Iroin no otlirr (juar-
tor but fi‘oni ibis it was approhoml<‘(l. I'Ihm’i* \\vvi\ bosidivs, naiscuis
in iK'liair of iiio oxflusion of Mr, \\b*l>.si«'r fmin llio haulrrsbip of
a. inoro ^onoral anti not loss oo^xait oliaraoior, 1 hal po:>i lia<l lu'oii
awardoci Iiiin at (ho piHW'ious sossion, pariionlarly in (ho ilisous-
sion on tlio vrto iMossup' whioh was (‘Xpootoil (o oxtu'l oontroHiu^
indutau’o, on (1u‘ (luui onminir Pn'sidiuilia] olotdioiu and, as 1 have*
said, ho. di.schar^^-tHl ilu* duiios iiuposod upon him with singular
ability. His posilion, on (hat uoeaision, for roasons td- eo\ hore* <»:i\e‘iu
was in ov(‘ry ri'spta't favoi’ublo (o a full de‘vol(jj)inon( cd Ids powau’S.
Mr. (day, if (hi* part had boim assi^aual |ti him, taudd no( have*
lilleal i( so wcdl. iMi'. \V(‘'bs(e*r's sed f-caml r<d, his suporior nar tuiiui*:
])o\vc*rs and his poouliar subiiUy in dobalo uunli' him tin* nu>s( hi-
man for (ho houi’. Ono unl’amiliar with (ho oharaolor* nf iuir pouplt^
and wh.h (ho lij.»:h( in whiedi Mr. Mbbstm* was ns'ardod !»> {linn,
could not at (his (imo wviow his friaitmoid <d’ llo' i-a o, math* (t)
Ids hand liy (In* opora(ions and appllam’o: df {hi* bank, it boat,
hoi nn;’ a nia/.od al his faihiri*. Ihii in ndt'otin*’^ him a > ii . r.pdk'' man
(ho bank au<l i(s poliiioal confodoralns torihuhod a <1! tjnalilioat ion
on Ills p;tr(. wldtdi is v»M*y ap( io rondn’ llio ablo;( poakin**’ unavail'
inn' with the'- pooph*. 'This was no{ siirpri ins’, f“r a poliiioal party
\vld(di sanclions such .s(i*ps as W(*rt* lakcn i<i elofoat rro:/KK‘nt da<’k
son's riv-idtH'tion seldom, ii’ I'vn*, aliaedas: miioh itupnrlaivot* in e!is
(jualiliiad tons like* (btd ht‘re* red’orree! (o, mu* i.. i( apt, in the* hmtr
of di‘rcai, to look to the* immorality of (ho-. nie*ans i( ha - us»mI c»r
(.o (he inipre»o*nahk‘ \ir(tu» ed’ tin* pe*ople* for tin* catce'.t tif it <lis*
(ujnditnro hut se‘i*k.s tln*m rtUln*!’ in et(*fe*o{s, obvituis or latout, in
(iio mamu*r in whie*h (ho e* nn*ans wore* appliotl. lbAM*ve*r tliver e*
limy tin'll have* hi‘t‘u (he* shaete*s of puhlic* opinieui in it* pi»of to
Afr. Ukhsie'r's .*aip{*ri(U*iiy te> tin* intlin'nce* of mon(*y in tin* eli
charp* of piihlie* fuiu'lioirs hi . i»a^e*rins>. (o horteew and tin* n*ok!o s
ju'ss with which his hauis wiu’e* nnule* we'Ce* V(*ry ycnorally litnovn and
his Ix'ino* larire'ly in; doht (o tin* bunk ainl, se> far a •- tlnit wimt,
W'ithin, Its power, Wtis uinhuibte'd. d'his o\te*n i\o kimw <if
his e’ondition in that re*;Lrard, ami tin* indn (rioic: circidation idvtui it)
the* lae't liy (In* friends of tin* lh*(*side*nt and of his (*au- <‘i jmph*te‘ly
<li\(*sll‘d Mr, Mh*h,s|e*r's \or*y able* spot*<*lnv. ed’ ore'dit will} Iho ola Sc ;
upon whom (he*y Wen’e* eie*;/u!:m‘il (n oporato auel re*<tuood thoin tej
(In* stnin* h'vcl in tln'lr cslimatieui wi(h uiml wa. .;al<! l»y tin*,
hanlv ilsclf; a con.-dik'rat ie>n whi«*h, altlnf it oanu* to be* unde*!* food
when i( was too late* feu* tin* pa (, Mi*. Hiildle* wamld rmarocly liave*
h*lt. hinre’lf at liiu'rly to di- ro‘^artl a mm’iuhI time, whate've'r may
leave* bea'U his pe*rsiiuul re*i*Un^.* etr e>lhor vioW;. upem tlio subjea't.
60)2
AMVMU 'AX 1 r ISTOKl ( ’AT. Ai^S( U ’I A'l'H )X.
Tf the ol)jiM‘l ion iiIIhiKhI io luui not oxistiMl Mr. (’lay would at ill
have l)een (he best man foi’ ilu' approaching* crisis. I lu'-coid I’ovm'.w*
bel.wetm tlu* hank and (he (iovernnuMd hatl now a -umiMl a \cry vlii'
ferent phase fi'om (liai. which it w'oia' in 'I !u‘n tlu' lornier had
at least; j)laiisil)le reasons for callin*** its p^isition tuu* <if ilcfmicc.
Those inicvrc'sted in it liad a piudVct riuht- (o ask for a renewal of iP;
charim*. P>oth branclu's of the I Ji’iiaslal uri‘ sanctiontal tliidr rt^tjuiv-l,
but the President nimirali/ed their w islu's by his r* /o, a uiea aire
always before resorted to with much h(*sit;dion and tlistrust om* not
calcula((‘d to att ract the favor <d’ the American pt'oph* and only madi‘
poj)nhir ill the presemt instance' by tlu' fi^i’eat popularity of if ; autlior
and by the bad conduct; of the. bank. In such a crudest, hacked ns
ho W'as, l\ir. Webster would l\ave het*n the very lu' .t. id’ lemhu’:; if
his ])('rsonai ind(‘pendi*iic('. had not hiam liahh' to {piediou. Hut tin*
stru/^’jLi'h'on whiih tin* bank had now {h*(i»t‘miiH*d was, whati*ver tin*
pretenc(\s wdth which it was nndt*rlalvi‘n, one (d’ a purely uiuu'essive
(‘haraeii*]*. It was (h'si<j^n(‘d to mak(* it om* (d’ lile or ihstllu lunl to
employ the hohlc*st nu*ans. l(. was imlispimsahh* (hat the trailer id’
the assault should posst*ss both physical amt moral (’oiiram*. cjualifie^.
in wdiii'li if. w*as (*(jually iioiorions that Mr. Wt*bster wa ^ deiic’nad as
Hud. Mr. Cday was at h‘ast amply for the oeea-ion pcihap up<*r
abundantly (*inloW(*<l. I bava* spokt'U of (In* lack of I'ordiality in the
j)(*rsouaI relations b(*{w't‘eu tlu*.s(* p:i*nt li'iiu'u from an t*ur!v ptM'ital. ( )u
l()okincM)Vi*r some of my old papers for (In* [)nrpt»a‘s of this work 1
find (In', followino’ uK'moramhim (d’ a d(‘(‘larntion inatle lf> Mr* lA>r ;yth
and mys(*l f and of om* to nn* on tin* saim* point by Mr. Hnebanam
Mdum I laid my band on tin* paper 1 bad cut irt*ly forp)tit*n l! ; (s\
isti'ina*, alt bo' I i’(‘im*mlH‘ri*d w i*ll (In* fact of the tlcclarat ion :
A( I he emnini'iicianenf nf Iht* se.sslmi of’ (’cnanvss when the elrerhm wns nneh’
by tlu‘ inaiw(‘<»r Uenn*siMU5UiVi*s Mr. <'tivy t<thf Mr. Kt»rs.vih nnd luyseli',
at, a niiiiKa* ;!:lven hy the Uussian Minister, (Uaf if we «-iiuhl ufHli-r-aanU whal
Mr. \\'i*ljsli*r nu*un{ (n <h» wa* etniUl ih» ninre* Uian fa*, nn<l iranl jiever.d e\nri*N
Minus iiiUieiiUnK (Hsliki* ami rr‘'af waul of eunflUenet*.
On (he same paper the following:
I)(*<\ .anth Mr. Huetianan, (U’ Petui, tnhl nu* (tint, n\ Ue' : mm* hes a»»n,
1825^ vvluaii Uu* hill inuklna iinnroprlaf Inns I’nr {he jmynieni nf’ (he .S|mniMh
ehiiuiH WHS pending: in the House i»f Uian'eseutafivi's, (’lay euiue tt* him ;uiU
said “I think we <-jin pay lh(*si‘ p(*oph‘ with lamk” fnau wddeh .Mr. Panhanan
diss(*nl(*tl. (hay then said, ** thnf ytdlnw' rusiail is in iuive sTu.tKHi uf
ihi‘ iiinmw.” Mr. U. ask<*d whelluT la' laeanl Wi'tjsUa*, fn wlih-h riay a’.^;eme<l,
Mr. H, lh(*n .said that, la* (hnuahf W. was a elevta* iVIhwv and he was rJad la* wais
t.n recidvt* sn imn*h of the money as la* thouahl he wainted If. ( \ Nai»l iluU if
wars prnhahh' lhat. (he (naUy lueunf. money huf (tiat lie would aive ihi*ni trmtlde.
Shordy aruu’ \Vi*hsli‘r a(ldn*HSt*d him and said (hid ('hiy aa'anl In oppust* the
1)111 b(*eause la* ( \V. ) liad an !nft*n‘Sl, in 11, and wished Idm (11.) («* take se»me
uotea lui liud made lu aupporL liio bill uy hu LIauukIiI il improper, j’mm hi.s ,Hnu;e
A'lTTcmiociHArnv oi-’ MAirmsr vatst uiTTtKK.
m
tion lliiit: lu' should tnki' ])nrl; In it. Soon afttn* (lu‘ conmuMictMiuMil oi' Ihn m‘\i;
snssiou la‘, to Ills surpriso, rountl Wohshn* and (May walking’, ana in arm, ludund
lh(‘. Si)(‘akor’s (Miair and rroiu that: tiim* forward a <dost> iii(iiua(*y has suhslsti'd
bolAVtMMi thom.^
Mv. Calliouu (lid not. compolo for (hi', li'adi'rshi[) iioi* do I hi'liovi',
that lie (losired it. He was taken into the coalition, r(‘ekin]Li: (in the
esi innit ion of Ike su])[)or(ers of (he hank) \vi(h (lu'. had odor of nuUi-
iieution, hut ready to make ^var on his own hook against the adininis-
(ratioiij a privih'oje gladly allowed him l>y his eolhaigiu's of (he triiini-
virate. Ills master-passion, at the moment, was ludri'd towards (he
(Jeueral and myself whilst his resentments would havi‘. hi'eu more de-
servedly directed against Wr. Webster. In respect lo myst'lf his own
suhseijuent acts coniVssed (hat his suspicions of my hostility were in
the hi'ginning unfoundi'd and afterwards c.xaggi'rated, and (lie (len-
eral was, as I know, siiuM'rely desirous to alVord rcru‘f to tlu'. South
and to eonciliato South (lirolina which would have rt‘scui*d Mr. Cal-
houn and his frUiuli^ from thi‘ piu’ils in which th(*y had invoked
tliems('lv('s. Mr. Wehst.i'r, on tin* otln»r hand, oppicHsl with great
pi‘rt iinu’ity and not a little hitUuMiess t In*. I'H’oris of Mr, Clay to idhuM.
lh(‘se r(*snhs.
AAdiilst Mr. (day was tlms liusily atid warily lunploytHl in fortify-
ing the ground he intended to (K’en|)y in tin* approaching st ruga'll* -
an occasion, which was destined to bring him and his nhli^ and life.-
long contemporaries, (111110110 and Wt*hs(er, side by sidi*, in a
parti.san held with (hi* tires of ambition mnnn*ncln’d in their hr(*ast.s
and i*a(*h alike consiuous that (inn* and (‘Vents hud made (he. present
their only (‘Imnee for roaeliing the goal that had long attracted t.lie
nspirations and best energies of (*arh,— the sugai’iotis and wily Ni*w
Knglander was not idle. Philadelphia was in Ids eoiirse lo the. sent
of (lovernment and his lemporary sojoiwn tlu'i'e, at a critical
moment, was therefore li*ss liable, to the notoriety and spi'ciilat ions
attached to that, of Mr. Clay. 'Fhat In*, did not. fail to inform liim-
self before h(^ left. Philadelphia, of the (*onc|usions in respect to the
position wliicli had there b(H*n allotted to him for tlu* coming winter,
is certain. How this was done it, wimld now la* ililHimll and is in
IK) wu}'- material to disi^ovi*!*. It is not im))rohal)le lliat his friend
Mr. liiddle, with the otrdiand franknessof his character, "commimi-
cat(*d it. to him, with suitable delicacy, as om* of the necessities of
(heir (‘ondition ; hut, however (Ids may have been, that, ht* arrived at.
Whishington with full knowledge of the whole truth on the subject
and with the feelings wld<‘h that information was caleulaUMl to
arouse in a hri'ust like Ids the readi'r will he in the si'ijiiel, a’hiin-
* 'ruiH nuMiun'iindtirn, In Van Unnai’M liaiul. in lln* Van lUinai I*ap«‘ra ntnli-r dull* of
IHtU’i. n la «*nden'Hc(I hy Van Uiircn : •• Umdinimii Olay A WHkHttn*.*'
.MS. VI, iJ. at).
AM null 'AN 1 1 IS'l'i lUll'Al . ASSi n '1 A't'li >N .
0(')4
(laiitlv salislicd. Tlu‘S(' coiijoiiifd with -iMM-ulai iim •. whirls
tlioi’o is reason to holii'Vi*, hiul <’<His(an(ly hi.' uiiiih - iiMp llu*:
a|)()t‘nr{nHH‘ of ilu‘ Pivsiclt'iihs prcK-lamat iuiu propartMl him fnr an
aci. of sli'ono’ mark, ilu' Irasl. ihlVd of whirh wotihl lu* in rripph' if
noi; alio^vdun- lumlraii/A' Mr. (Mays pnaui.-vd hautnrship hy smir-^
ino- (o hhnsrlf a (•()mpli'(i‘ utiijnra^iV ovrr (lu* artion t»l* tlu* . tamliii**’
comiuiUrrs of (lu\ SeiuUr.
\ do not. piH'imul (o possi‘ssany vary matin-ial pnaif.- of thn iuamrary
of tho siiniiis(*s I Inna* thrown out in r»‘spi*rt to tin* (at<‘ ut Mr,
('lay's mind upon ilu*. particular point ridVrrtnl to <»r to what wnu
decided in his iiilcrvi(‘W with Mi'. l>iddh* or to the information td*
that d(*cision oh(aiiu*d hy Mr. Wchdrr turllnT than the t* ante
{‘cdcnts arc justly and clcai'ly to hi* a:^!!!!^! in view ol well known
facts and incidents followinn; (m iln*ir vein heel . The e hall In*
slaictl with all praeticahh* cxa«'tness ami if tho e who ma) hereafter
pcriisi* t hcs(* slicci s .‘-ha 11 lind iheiicv'lse . ahh* to atlaeli to them anv
di{r(*r(‘nf inlcrprt‘la( ion frenn lliat I have hert* pre mUed they will,
of (‘ourst* lu* a(- liherty to tlo m>: A*, (f* what tlnar inlerenec, may
he. sa\‘(* a pan'ral comanai for the priwalcnee <d truth, 1 am a im
dinVia*!!! now as 1 shall cisiaiidy In* then, do .'*t\e an aecuunt here
of tin* ocetirrenees rcl\*ri‘cd to, a preeetlencc hi wliieli tUe\ aci* eijrono
lo;^-i(’ally (‘(itilled, will u\' m*c(’-..ity M’parah* m\ hi tor\ of th** panic
s(‘ssIon from (he. ( ransaci ion.-, (d’ (he hank v\hich the [♦roeeedinr'' oj
(hat- .‘Session wert* de i ;.*’}! ed to maki' idfeettial; a ejiaratiim which,
(ho’ i(; may W{*alv<*n tin* fon’t* of (he ile fi’iptioii a. a whole, may, in
other r(‘sp(*ets, tt*nd (o aitreahly divi'isify the narratiu*. I he\ t-on
siitnlt*. the, incidents of a pi(‘i‘e td’ privatt* history oj the jieriod 1
.'“■.piaik (dk in which I took a part altho' 1 had at the time an inade
ipiati*. idt‘a of its eompreliensi vi* intere ( and no su pieinu that tin*
holt, w'iih which ik w;ri eharjiTetl wa , aimed a! my elf a well a at
Mr. < 'hiy. I had radfen'd it to pas ; from my mind until tin* reeth
h‘e(ion (d* it. was revived ami my interest in it iueri*a; eit hy a ra .nal
uhs(‘rva(ion nnnh* hy tin* latter o,‘nt!eman «hiriny' his \i it to my
Imiisi* in tlu'. yc'Ur ISMk I ha\‘e. i*ls(*w'hen' alhidctl to (hat vi it and
(o tin*, eon vt'vsat ions which took place hetwt*t'n ir: about pa t time
and sci'iics. ddu'se nnr(*s{ rictial ami familiar chats were re umed
\vlu*iu‘\‘(U' (h(‘ prc'ss of eompany p(*nnl(t(*th which was not u often
as w*e, both d(‘sin*d for tin* rt*ason ihai most (d’ lii . politieal frit*ud
ainon^ my in*iii‘hhonrs (*mhrac(»d the oec’u-ion of hr^ fir t appearaina*
in (Hir vicinu^i* (o <jcive him a cordial sUalu* hy the hand. More than
oiu*. (d' th(‘sc- added tti tin* (*.xpri*.ssion of the plca tirc they felt in
meeUn^ him an asstir'ance <d’ additional satisfaetiun airnrdt*d by
(indin^ iiim when*. In*, was and tin* la(ti*r idt‘a was, in pnrtictdar and
neatly express(*d hy my worthy w'hif^ nci^hlionr Mr, tliittemh-n wljeii
he, attended hy a lar^t*. munht*r of his frii*nd,s, wa.s (akin«j: li*.n\t* in
ATJTOBIOGEAPHY OP MARTIK VAH BURElT.
665
a few well spoken words addressed to Mr. Clay whilst the latter
stood in the porch of my house and by my side. The feuds of the
past and the asperities caused by them were as completely ignored
ill these conversations as if they had never existed. I having en-
tirely and forever withdrawn from public life and he being on the
point of doing the same thing we had no motive to refrain from
speaking freely as we thought and felt or to limit the measure of
our entertainment as we reviewed together the misinterpretations,
unfounded conjectures and ’till now inexplicable failures of “best
laid plans ” which had been experienced on many exciting occasions
both by ourselves and by our respective parties. The inclinations
of our dispositions had been towards the cultivation of friendly
personal relations from a very early period in our public lives, with
an unfailing readiness to resume them after the successive and
violent shocks to which they had been from time to time, exposed
had sufficiently subsided. This tendency on my side sprang, to no
small extent, from admiration of the genial and winning social
qualities and carriage for which in his prime of life he was greatly
distinguished. These attracted my observation for the first time
on his return from the Mission to Ghent, when I was a visitor at
Washington and received a liberal share of his couii-esies, and he
retained them in a good degree to the end altho’ sobered by domestic
sorrows and at times clouded by the adverse incidents of his iiublic
life. His own inclination in the same dii'ection Avas, I have always
believed, influenced by the recollection of occasions on which I had
manifested a regard for his welfare which he had never been af-
forded an opportunity to reciprocate.
To two of these I Avill briefly refer. One of them presented itself
in the rough and tumble Presidential canvass of 1824:, A\dien I made
my debut in the art and business of President-making, at Washing-
ton, as one of the leading supporters of Mr. Crawford. Becoming
each day more convinced of the practicability of electing the latter
and of preserving the rep)ublican party, then threatened with de-
struction, if Mr. Clay would, for the time, decline his pretensions
to the Presidency and consent to stand for the second filace on the
ticket Avith Mr. Crawford and feeling sincerely friendly to both
of these gentlemen, I made unwearied efforts to bring about that
arrangement. The person thro’ whom I chiefly worked to that end
was Col. Thomas H. Benton, Mr. Clay’s relative, I think, by mar-
riage,’- at all events, then his ardent friend and a young Senator of
much iDi’omise. I succeeded fully in satisfying the Colonel on two
points, viz: that Avith such a ticket we would most likely succeed
^Van Buren states this relationship with his usual care. The common report that
Benton iiiicl Cliiy were cousins was without fouiulation. Anne Gooch, nn orphan, who
was brought up by her uncle, Col. Thomas Hart, married Jesse Benton and named her
eldest son after her uncle. Henry Clay married a daughter of Col. Hart.
AM Klvl ( 'A N I ! ISTi Utt i 'A 1 1 ASSi H ‘1 A'l'H ) XA
I
660
iiiul Uia(. Mr. (’lay would, in (hat rvrnt, hr Mr. ('rawrunlV r ttnv^sav:
aiul hr (‘()ns(‘<|(irnily luM-anu' as anxious Uw thr adopt it»ii of (hr j»rop-
osition as I was niysidf and W(‘ luul Sinanxil ronfrrriaav-- on t!u» suh-
)(H*(. Ih‘. pr(‘ss(‘d (lir niattin* upon Mr. (‘lay witli hi- n^atal oanu-.t^
nrss l)y wlioni tlu‘ proposition was irt'utrtl with all n‘Npi'rt, lait in
ihi‘. proi>‘r(*ss of (inu^ anil rvi'iits tlu' ranvass nssuiunl a i*hapr vshlrh
led Mr. (’. to tliink it- his iluly to dtsdinr it. Hr rould not, undin*
the firianust ani'rs, liavi' donl>(rd that tiirri' was oti my part a lar^i^r
iho’ sul)ordina(r sharr of disiutin‘rstinl fi'inuhhi]) diNplayrd on that,
orrasion towards hiinstdf aiul rntdd tu*\rr have lailrd to In* sutis”
Ilril that his rvrntual idrvatiou to (lu* Pn-athmry wuidd ha\r hiuni
srriirrd if my advirr. had hcam adopttal, whrthrr wt‘ had Ihhhx .sue-
rt‘ssfid in (hr. iimiualiatt* rirrtion or not. Mi*, (h’awionl, it \ull la*,
riMiumiluo’iah was soon hrokiai down hy diMaisr and thr party by
whirl! (uMi. rfarkson was idrrtrd wmdd, in all prohnhil ity,
(‘liosim Ml*, (day in his sit^ad il’ thr lattrr ha<l rniitinun] l»rfort* tlu^
■<\nm(ry in tlK‘ aititudi* whirlu in thr rvrnt of mir failurr in l^'2\
h{‘ would liavr orrupird, (hat of onr td’ thr drhadrtl rrpuhlirun run-
liidairs in that (‘oiiii*,sl,.
My srrond iirtaiirr sonu‘wlnd rrsmuhlrs thr hr t. Mr. t’hivM
nanii'. was srnt- to thr. Srnati' hy Pnsshhmt. Adaiu-i for thr oHirr. nf
Srrrrtary of State at a momrnt whrn thr rhar^r of a ? rltisU roalitiun
lud-wrim Inmsrlf and Mr. Adams, hy whirh thr lattrr liud hn-ti mudr
hrrsidimt, in rimsidrrat ion id' a prom! -r that Mr. (‘lay Nhould rrrrivi^
(hat- odiri^ at- his haiuls, was rifr at Mhisluu<j:(o!i and whm tlir pas-
sions id’ mini wrrr runuiuL’: monntain hi^dn
That. (hrri‘ would ultimatidy hr a union hrtwiam thr (’niwford,
elarksoii and ( ’alhoiin partirs to rrsi t (hr lat it udiimrian virws whirh
^v(» knrw Mr. Adams (o rhrrlrh and to oxanMlirow thr nrw adudni'^-'
I rat ion was nrarly as nniain at thr momrnt whrn that ndministni
tion \vns nslirnal into I'Ki.-triirr a : it hrramr id any suh tM|Ui‘ui prriod.
Mr. day, haxin^ hrnu*»'ht tiir administration into lift* wa.i lookrd
upon as its main ndiant‘t‘ and n blow aiinial at him was tiirrrforr ror*
rrrt ly ri‘<^nrdrd us onr in advanrr and, ns llmsr w ho w i’ lird to makr
ii ihoun^ht, a wadi drstu’vrd onr. nl (hr administration. It was not.
in thr powtT of thr Srmiiors ladonrdnix to tlu^ thrrr politirui tlivi-
sions naimul to drfrat Mr. day’s nomination, hut hy votin^; for its
r(‘jrr(ion a step nrvrr rrsortrd to on simh oiu'usions rxrrpt for ^ruvi^
rausrs (hi'y rould <xivr. rrrilrnrr in important lornlitirs to thr rhur^t^
of a corrupt <‘oali(iou Indwoim tins Ihvsidrni and his Srrrrtary of
S(at(‘. 'rh(‘ si r()!i|j!; num of thr political int.rrrsts 1 havc^ munrd wrrr
i^a<i:(‘r to votr for thr n*jr<dion of Mr. (llay‘*s nomination and wrn»
r(‘sp(‘rlivrly lunidrd 1»y iniposin<r numrs: (hr Jarkson mm hy tlir
“ MS. VI. i». an.
AtlTOBlOGUAPHY OF MAMm Vm BURFH, 66 Y
General himself, then Senator, the friends of Crawford by that vener-
able and sterling old patriot Nathaniel Macon and those of Calhoun
(himself in the Chair) by Eobert Y. Hayne and voted accordingly.
I refused to join them from the beginning, first because I did not
(without impeaching the motives of my friends which I kneAv to be
pure) feel myself justified by the proofs before us in affixing such
a stigma upon the character of the nominee, and secondly, because
if the case had been stronger against him than I thought it was I
Avould still have regarded the course proposed as politically inex-
pedient.
Mr, Clay, shortly before his death, held a conversation with my
friend Francis P. Blair of which I was a principal subject. The
latter gentleman commenced his political career an ardent sup-
porter of Mr. Clay and illustrated the depth of his friendship by
unmistakable acts of devotion performed in the disinterested spirit
of which he has been thro’ life capable. After the Presidential
election of 1824, at which he zealously sustained Mr. Clay’s cause,
Mr. Blair became an admirer and political adherent of Jackson and
formed closest relations of personal friendship with the latter which
continued undiminished at the death of the General, who left a
striking record of his sense of its sincerity by bequeathing all his pri-
vate j)apers to Mr. B’s keeping. Changed feelings naturally arose out
of Mr. Blair’s new position, producing a feud between Mr. Clay and
himself of unsurpassed bitterness and of many years continuance. It
extended itself to their familes and excited so strongly the indigna-
tion of Mrs. Blair, a lady possessed of rare abilities and a resolute
spirit, altho’ as amiable as she was resolute, that she refused to take
Mr. Clay’s hand when offered to her in the Senate chamber after a
full reconciliation had taken place between him and her husband.
But this excess of feeling on her side was sorely re]Dented of and
every trace of resentment banished from her mind before Mr. Clay’s
death. In common with his numerous female friends she employed
herself almost incessantly, during the latter moments of his life,
in securing for him, absent as he was from his family, those as-
suagements and comforts which it is the peculiar and blessed office
of her sex to provide and Mr. Clay at one time agreed to go to her
house and to put himself under her ^Tientucky nursing.” In the
conversation with Mr. Blair, to which I have referred, he expressed
his deep regret that angry passages had now and then deformed the
course of our political antagonism and spoke with much kindly
feeling of my general demeanour towards him, notwithstanding
our political differences, and of features of my character Avhich he
made the subject of special commendation. This was communicated
to me by Mr, Blair as it was obviously intended by Mr. Clay that
(5()3 AMKUH'AX llIS'l'dlllCAl. ASrU » '1 A'i'ld N .
ii; slioiild 1)0, iUiil Hit' (Vi-liiiijis t'xpn-M'il tn Mr. I’., w.ti- iir(itii|.(l_v,
earuosMy juu] siiuvivly nriprurulrtl uii inv \Kivi, At tlu‘ samr tiuu‘
Col. IVntoa, lK‘in^ (Mi<ra;uvtl in pivparinn' Ins “'Ihntv in tlm
Scnute,-’ snul. uin ai- intervals, thn orifrinal th-al’t nf t‘Mnal rlrap*
tors of that work for simli coiimnail as 1 niinht fn.-l .li pu-.r^l tn
make. One of ihese eunlained his alhn aiut fnivihlr r\i‘ii|p;i{ i(,u nf
Mr. Clay from the ehar^v of enrnipt r<ialitiun with Mr. AhaiuM in
the cleoiion of lS:ih an alfair that innl .niNrn Mr, < 'la> min’h (liuihlt'.
I expressed to the (MloiU‘1 my o[)initm (jf his lihrral ami maiilv lain
dnet ill this matter in a lel((*r wliieli lu* nfhTuan! : infmamM me
he had read, ilnrin^Li: his <'anvass hu* (tm llnm.n ul hh'pif rnta(i\»*s,
ill that jioriion of his Distriet distinirni hrd hn* iln\c»tiMn t«i Mr.
Clay and hy that means obtained tin* \oii‘, nf ilw frirud uf tin*
latter to an (‘Xiimt suHieicmi to : criiiM* Ihis tdrrtiun. lit* hail .h«'\\n
the same (‘liapter (o Mr. lUair w Iuk in an .urr to .t»nn- uu f:» ». Miirahk
eritieasm hv Mr. (May on tlu' prohahlo vitdftm.* nl iht- t tjlnm-l .
fortln'ominuf l) 0 ()k, ih^iaihal (o him (hr idj/tuma* m! (h.r pnrtuui
alhuhal (o, \vhi(*h maili' a slrtme* and lai‘n‘ahlt* iinpir mm on Mr.
Cdav and hal him to say that In* shouM ma h** inmnndhd o{ n in
tlu*. fut.mx*. Mdiis haNina; hrrn ftmimnniralrt! t(» Ct.l, I’n'iism iht*
latter addr(‘ss(‘d to nn^ a latter rxtendiUM* (Im aci'oimt In* h id ei\‘‘n
me of his work to aimllmr maUar (o uhiah Mr, t la^ a I o aHaahrd
mru'li im])oiianae. and (In* narralivetif whiidi 1 nraatl\ d** na.l loni t>>
see b(doi‘(* hi*, dii'd: lo wldah ami 1 riialo cd it to Mr. lUan uith a
reijui'.st* that lu* would impart ;is muah of it aonlrnl ■ a , in his »|i
cretion, he. shoidd deimi hisst htit in a way (o tmika if «'rr(aiu that .Mr.
(’hiy woidd not. fee! ohlim'd to (r<‘nhh* him idf with a man’r ui tham.
This was (lorn*, by tin* latter whielu with mv mUr ami t oh lirntou*
“ (‘losely eonma'ted us they wi're with the d\ in*'* . ernes uf a man ti
distin<i:uish(‘d and doina* mm*h ej’edii. to (ho i* 'naitliauen 1 think
of suflideut interest (o insert here.
I.KT'OxU J'UCIM (‘rr, HnxilKN
Mr. (Uny Is ilyin^ and Imows it and InuUs inrwiird to .‘.mn.* wr»'LM nr u ii*vv
innuths (o lariuUuna Ids aarlldy rao’er, 'l‘ljrrr Is un Indn fm* Idni and h«‘ Ijsmas
U, and T an\ Inld Is mnsi aulndy vlt'Wina (lia aiiiiruaidtr-; ui' d*‘.tih, tn-ilr w»ad
to st‘(' Idin twlai* rU’aid liroof rl’ fort!:l vmrss toi fhr |»urt ot lU.Ur, lotiair
oMiar ll)ln^;’s aonvarsallon (lu* last time Inrurd u|»nii me ;u»t| ni> f.irf lirundns
^vork— evidently w'ltli soim* ani»raliriisiiin on Ids |iar{. Illalr fuld Inio uh.ii
he had read a ahnplia* on the eli'rthni oT isrr> v/nh .\nn» and mi> = Usd a
heain of snnshliu* weid over his fnae wdUi many rspre' .inns nr Inraiinn.
''rids lias inudi* nia (Idiik of sii;;]i(‘st to you tn write him a hsirr nrn|„-r I
tliink under llu* alraiinislaaees (o exnrass year own reidtue ;md m u ho h
you ud‘i:ld add, wliat: that ahaidi'r shows, tlial (hare is a tliim whi-n p*d|{h-a!
aninioslUi'S an* to be obllleridad iindei* ibe* ^o*ea( dulie*.. nt be4>oh- mub.
True, at other idaees the suma duty may inaki* me bear upnii him, )mt wnbtm!
AXJTOBIOCmAPHY 01? MARTIY YKN BUREK.
669
malice and always preferrinfjj to say wliat is honorable when the veracity
of history will permit.
In anMher part, 'ivhen I shall have to speak of him personally — the duel
with Randolph — lie -Kill appear with great honor, not merely for courage
on the field, bvt, icliat is more, generosity of feeling. You might add this,
if yon please, as a thing you have learnt from me and in I and Jessup
(his second) 'icill speak alike^
To F. P. Blair, Esq.^
Lindenwald Jan, IGth ISCr^,
IMy Dear Sir
I received the enclosed letter from Col. Benton last evening, and hasten
to send it to you to be sheAvn in confidence to l\Ir. Clay, if you concur with me
in the propriety of such a step. Its contents shew very clearly that such a
disposition of it was not contemplated by the Avi’iter yet I can see no serious
objection that could he raised to the course I propose. * * * This letter,
taken in connection with the general turn of the Colonel’s feelings towards
IMr, Clay, always, to our observation, excluding the idea of a fixed per-
sonal hatred, satisfies me beyond a doubt that his sympathies are as deeply
excited as onr own. This must be your opinion also and so believing we
ought not to hesitate, I think, in employing the means which have been
accidentallj’' placed in our iiower to ameliorate the effects of past estrange-
ments, if "vve cannot remove them altogether, to which I would be most happy
to contribute all in my power.
Do me the favor to repeat to Mr. Olay, if you have an opportunity, assur-
ances of my respect, esteem and confidence and add that no one can have
derived more satisfaction from his noble bearing whilst confined to the sick
bed than I have done. ^ ^
Yours truly
M. V. B.
To Hon. Henry Clay.^
SiLVEit Seri NO Jan. 22 d, 1852
Dear Sir
It is most gratifying to me that Mr. Van Buveu commits to my discretion the
opportunitj^ of disclosing the kind feelings au<l high opinion entertained for
you by two of the most distinguished adversaries you have onciouutered in the
political contests of your time. I therefore take the same liberty with IVIr. Van
Bureii’s letter that he proposes with Col. ° Benton’s to him, persuaded that
nothing would more please you than the naked and unpremeditated expression
of feeling contained in the very words of the private notes not meant to r(‘acli
your hands.
Mr, Van Buren would not have turned over to me, I well know, an ofliee Avliicli
he would gladly have i)erformed himself if he had not felt the deliejiey of trou-
bling you with a letter, in your present painful condition which might S(‘ein to
ask reply and burden you Avith a matter that might cost an effort or embarrass
you. My communication you can receiA^e as you have my oral ones — take to
your bosom with your benevolent thoughts Avithout further exertion.
With the warm feelings of eai^ier days
I am very truly yours,
P. P. Blair.
1 January 11, 1852, Van Buren Papers. ^ Van Buren Papers. “MS, VI, p. 100.
G70
AM Kin (’AN n ISM’nKU’Ah ASS(H ’lA'rinN'.
*^rt) (n llio ()c‘r:isi(Ui ol liis cunv i'I'miIkhi uith iiu*, :il l/iiuU'u-
Avalil, ]\Ir. (May si)()ke. with porlViM rivt‘ii<»iu of (In* rmirsn lu* InlpinliMl
({) ])iirsiu\ ilurin^ tlio sliot’i lhal lu* iniiiiit rninaiu in jitihlit',
lilV.. It. had always, lu* said lu^nn his wi.di in jinlp^ td’ public jncas-*
uivs on tlu'ir in(rinsii‘ nu'rits and (<> iri*ai tlann uci'ordiiu’’ t<» the b(*sl,
opinion h(‘. coidd form of their jirobablc i*llcc(s upnn llu' publii* wi'b
fare*. Ill* lH)p(‘d tlial in inakiiiij^’ up that opinion lu* had kt'pi hinisiMf
above the (‘onirol (d' nuu’t* partisan ba'lintrs, and knowing; how lair-
nestly he had (h'siriMl In do so, not withdainlin^ir the dillicidtitvs in
tlio \viiy in hii>*h paiiy liim's which lu* ujiprt'ciated and ackuowledn:(‘d
ho eoiild not- bill- lliink that lu' had t(» some exttml • iiccetMleil in car"
ryin^ that wish into ertV{‘t. In rtdation to the past others would de-
teriniiu* l)ut of the futun* he felt that la' <’ould sptud; in this rt^j^nird
with ('('rlainty tind lu* ihoujLchi* ht* cottld not tli‘cei\e hiuetdr in the
('sliniaU' lu*. laid foianed (d* tlu* M'rvice it Wi>nld yet in his powt»r to
rend(*r to liis (’oiiniry be (\S(du*win^ parti .an pr(‘judice-. and by ap«
])]yin^ his exju'rit'iu'c and tlie fatMilties with which hro\ iilenci* had
favored him to the itn])artial eonsidiu’at i<»u aiul support of mea aires
ilio utility of wliit'h he ('otdd not tlouht, and lu* proti' ted that, (bn!
willin*^, this duty slundd he faitld'ully perfornunk 1 nets! init say
lha,l 1 tairnestly eommeiuled this dv'terndnat ion ami encouraoril its
ohs(*rvunee.
Mt*, W'ehster's name* was iutroduecd: ! ilo not ri'etdlect hy whom
or in what, eonneetitan Mr. (May : jjoke him in the ca\itioUs and
measured terms whit'h I had ofti'U hefon* ohseiwed in hi ^ router. a«
(ion whim it relatisl to n piditieal u^Mieiate of wUost* emu* i* tie did
not. apju’ove and which was imU'ed natural wlien mldre s’d to an
<)j)ponon(. of holli. 1 h‘ n*ft‘rred witlunit (jualiheat iou to hi |i:i*ea(,
abilitii's hu(. <!id uot utVect Uiliuire Iwa /j^eiuu’al elnu'ueter and ud»
mitti'd tliut (ht'ir relations hud not eomtiiouly hemi as cordial or tlu'ir
inti*rcours(‘ us eonlhltmtial as w‘ns m tnil he(\vi*en a^‘oida({* tendinfC
mi‘ml)(*rs (d’ tlu* sauu* ptditii’ul piU’ty : uevi'rt luder s he tleelarml thaf
he had hei'U always willinjLr to do Mr, Webster jmd let* and to concede
to him the*, position and all tlu* wa*i<j:ht. to whiiMi lu* ln'tie\etl hini fairly
{‘ntitk'd in ( hc*ir {larty and had mudi* a point of sp('ukin|jc w ith n' .peel.
of him when lu* eould ch) so w‘i(h (rutin MMieri* had hi'cn om* oeea-
sion, lie add(‘d, wlu*n lu* was fully satisfied that Mr. WMdeter had
(‘ommitt(‘d tri'uson in his hmirt apiinst t)u*ir <*ominon party, and he
had then spoken of him and of his de.si^nis as he thoupdit siudi in-
fidelity di'served, I do not; tlfmk then* w*as a man umonyr our
Countrymen who looked upon a l^reaidi of party alh'pdanee w*ith
more sev(‘.rity ihixn Mr. (May. Although he liad lilh*d a high position
in the old republican parly ami was now* the eoneeiled leader of a
rival organization the idea had nevi'r enti'red liLs mind that he had
himself been guilty of any such ollVnee. Hcj Mr. (’alhoim and a few
AiTToniociHArn V ok mahtin van hokkn.
()71
oUiorn, M'lio luul l)c‘on proiuinont iiuMuhc‘rs oC (lie lU'piihlic’an pnriy nt
tlio cloMO of Uu'i Wai* of IS 12, as has Ihhmi t'lso\vluM*(* snitL l<K>k(‘tl (o
tho (lissohit loti of all jinvaxistino; parties as (a‘r(aiu luul as if from
a cotuinoii impulse {liivetcMl attonlion to (la* ('hief i\la<i:is( racy
of the Nation as ilu' ropivsoniativc's of a new )L»t?hi'rai ion. Justly
proud of the record of their course as nJalcd to the war ami con™
scions of the politi(‘aI strength wliicli it would giv(* Ihinii they eagerly
advo(‘at.ed a general adojiiion of (heir new idea in a spirit doul)! less in
a good degree of magnanimity hut of forgidfuliu*ss of llu* invcttu'aU.^,
and enduring chanieter of party tlivisions. Jdie artjuisition hy cai'li
for himself of fragments of the old fetleral party, us tiu' s[)oils of
war, serving as a stimulus to their zi*al in that- diriM’tiou, they were
not slow in arriving at the (‘onelusiou not. mert*Iy (hat the old parties
ought to become hut that they had already Ikh'ouu' t‘xtimd ami took
their respective positions accordingly. JMr. (Jay having determiiuHl
to stake his ])()liti(*al fortiines ui)on tliesuccess Of (lu‘ ))ro((‘e( ivi* policy
and internal improvements hy the (ienerul (ioveriummt ;iud of a
National Hank, as the mu'sing nioili(*r of both, soon found iiimritjf at.
the head of a mnv political orgaiii/.at ion coiuposiMl of men who j*oin
(dded with liis \ i('ws on those suhjei'ts; hut- tlu' polititad anhM'cdents
of most of tJanu had luam unliki* his own. Kroui I In* imunciit.
tlie lines of that, organization lu'canu' dis(im*(ly (hdimal ami its
union eeinented hy llie "’outsidi* pressuri' " of its opponent:, he ad-
hered to it with unswerving fnhdity. Neither tin* sm*c(»^si^(» sliglits
jmt n|)ou Ills indivhlnal pnd(msi{)ns, in favor of Harrison and dhy-
lor, nor the many other desertions of whieh he fell (hat Iu‘ hud n
right to eomiilaiiu allho' they tried his tmnpc'r sevcri‘ly Jiml altlio' lu>i
could not hilt, have h(di(‘VtMi (hat. his <jld associates \v(»nhl havt^
greeted his return to tludr ranks wdlh kindnc‘ss and with iHUimvct!
confidema^, shook for a moment, his loyalty to hi.s parly, in (he unin
icrrnplcd and faithful s(‘rvicc of wdiich lu^ spimt his remaiuiug <luys,
'riu‘ nature and tlu^, earn(*st (one of Mr. (’lay's (‘oncliiding rtmiarks
about, Mr. Webster brought suddiady and strongly in iny n'colltM'
tion an intrigue in relulitju to the clioice of the stamling <‘ominii(i'es
of the Senn(i‘.j at the opening of tlu' panii* s(*ssiou with which ilu'
name of the latter w'as coun(‘c(t*d and w'luch ! was in:4ruim‘u(al In
thwarting and 1 wans induced to tliiuk that it. was to (hat (runs
aetion that Mr. (’lay alluded. I iiamtioucd (his imprcs--ion ami
oirer’(‘d to r(date (Ik*. circ-umstanci*s, wdiich lu* (h*sir(*d mt* (t) do. I
then des<‘ril)ed wdiat oeeUrr(*d b(d\V(‘(‘u Hresi<l(‘n( JaelMm, Scmilor
(}rundy and niysi‘lf on (la* morning af(<*r my arrival at Washington,
to tak(‘ my si»a( in tlie Senate for tlu*. first time as \''ic(* President,
snhstant ially as it is set forth in the s(atemi*nt beloW'; saying to
him, at the same time, that 1 was conlideal i liud never hud any
672
AM Kill t ‘A N 1 1 IS'r« »i; h ‘A 1 , A --* M 'I WH » \ .
furilior ronuuuuit'tilinn Nvitli Mr. (Jrmuly upnii thi*
dill 1 rri’nlliH-t. hsiviujii nny uitli (lu* l*r<* idmt, ;uid th;i( n\\ kutuvl
rdii;!' of llir iripat ion of Mr. W'rb ti*r in tlir projut i-,|
was limi((‘d iii wlial had pn-r^iMl in iho iii(rr\i«‘n nf which I had
o'i\-i'n him an an’otmi, hut that 1 undrr (und Air. ttrund\ well
(‘iiouifli lo had rrr(ait) (hat hr wouhl nrvrr lia\r carrital tin* luader
as far as hr did with limn darkun withtuit iMoror tlau^ *it.»!d v a -
surrd of iht' n’l’^und nii w hirh he :4ui>d.
Mr, (day lislimrd to iny narrative with thr iha'pe t iutere ( utul
aliho' h(' ahslaiiu'd fi'tun a ' kini** rxplanat inn 1 an hy tlm inrrra In..-
aninialion of hi.s (*oini(rnani‘r and (In* muiinnal nnddiin^ td' hi . hrad
tlial- hr a<’rompanii‘d niy dr ''riptinn <if (hr ; rem* with a r.-ad^ inter
prrialion of its import and {lUidrnry. 1 rannot pjetrmi (n rt-i-all
his words at llir rniudusion hut hr adniittrtl tli.at tlir alFair v.Inrh I
had drtailrd to hitn mir titutrd a matmdai \K\t\ nf t hr trail a-linu
out of wdiirh had irroun thrrmuirtinu nf 'Wrh tn'. ?nlidrlit\ (u his
party to whi«di la* had allndrd, and that at tliat nr.neai! Inr (hr lir i
[liuM'l hr had Irarnnl hnu it wa: that tlie r%reiai«*n »d' dr inn hr
h{*ii(Mrd Mr. W'rlrtrr to entrrtain had hrrn arrr tnl. I Im- idra that,
thr lath*r mrditatial an rntirr tdianirr in hi. pail\ rfdainm . m* am
(hinir inorr than thr aiapd iti.m td' an addnu.nal haiv nf prr. ..nal
inlluritri* (i\i*r (hr a<’tinu td' thr StUiatr fi*r him «df at tlir- rXprnrr uf
Mr. (day, lor whirli hr (nnd rrad\ a wa hi wav tn rrfinn an
(Mjuira |{‘n{ , did not, at thr linns t*n(rr ni\ hrad, imr did thr nan
iniinii’alion whirh I hrlirvnl had hrrn nrnlr fn Mr. (uaunlv rati r
in(‘ (o susprtd tliat Mr. \\dd» tm*'. mvn \lrw nr tlm t.f hi frirnd;
tsxlrndiMl to liis inaMiniiu// a nirnilirr nf Ihr i.lrnf dark nu'.- (Aduarf.
and (o his :.ttrrrrtrnn»' in that rapnrity to thr plare in fhr (rriirrar .'
ronlidrnri* and r (nan whi<’h wa , at thr mumrul, ‘.'rurratU run
rrdial tu myndf, Ihd Mr. (day', rnniinnnirat nm and the nrrr itw
of noliriuir (hr .“.nhjrrt in (hi mtunoir intwr it an adiird lufrrr r and
indiirrd mr to iirfitutr a isirrftd rt^vim id’ thr whnh* inaftrr, thi^
rr:.nlts of whirh will nnw hr u‘i\rn to luy rradrr. , win* nmv ikdiu’
minr for tlnansrlvrs how innrh ira nn tlau’r Is fm* hidirvinr (hat
surh day drr’ants wiu'r iudnlrrd in hy iioth.
" MM. VI, a. ltK%.
CHAPTEK XLV.
About to commence my presidency over the Senate I was neither
ignorant nor unmindful of the feelings with which I was regarded
by a majority of its members — feelings recognised as belonging to
human nature, altho’ so little to its credit by sagacious observers
in every age and sententiously described by classical authority—
“ propHum huTirocmi ingenU est odisse guem lae^erit,^'^ I was never-
theless and perhaps on that account especially careful to respect, in
my own course towards them, all the proprieties of my position.
The Vice President being chosen by the People and made the pre-
siding officer of the Senate without any agency on its part, differing
in that regard from the Speaker of the House, the Senate had always,
until 1823, retained the choice of its committees in its own hand,
but finding that this duty could not be as easily and as satisfactorily
performed by a general vote of the body as by the appointment of
the presiding officer the rules in that respect were altered, in that
year, by giving the power of appointing them to their President.
The Vice President was thus enabled to put it in the power of the
Senate to exercise the same privilege enjo3^ed b}^ the House of Eepre-
sentatives— that of having its committees selected by an officer of its
own choosing — by abstaining from taking his seat at the commence-
ment of each session long enough to afford the President pro tei'ivpore^
an officer elected by the Senate and always in being, an opportunity
to do that duty, and the amendment of the rule led to a very fitting
usage on the part of the A^ice President so to absent himself and
Avith this view. The existence of this usage and my own sense of
its propriety furnished the rule for my own action and it was adopted
of course. Altho’ I thus withheld myself from all interference
wdth the selection of the committees — a function which a majority
of the then Senate were determined to resume, — as they had a perfect
right to do — it so haiDpened that my course increased the embarrass-
ment and excited the ire of the opposition leaders. To have taken
from me the appointment of the committees on my first appearance
in the body Avhich had long before, of its own accord, attached that
poAver to the office to Avhich I had been elected, Avould have been a
proceeding in keeping Avith their past course toAA^ards me and one
Avhich, if I had presented myself at the opening of the session, they
Avould haA^e adopted Avith alacrity. The charge which they would,
in that event, have assuredly made and which, under the circum-
127483 ° — ^vol2 — 2Q 43 673
674
AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION.
nnt hare lacked plausibility, would have been that a
stances, ™ he geneml course of my predecessors
wa's desT^Td to deprive the venerable President pro tempore, Judge
White 1 a life long friend of the President (as they would have dc.
scribed him) of his privilege because I suspected his fic e ry o _ m
administration of his old friend, and the opportunity to make this
imputation would have added materially to the satisfaction allorded
bv the revocation, face to face, of my authority. nm-)leasant
“But the loss of that giutification was not the most nnpleas. 1 1
feature of the predicament in which those leaders were ^
mv absence. Judge White, long the friend and companion ol (mn.
Jackson and the man in whose behalf I had shown so strong a desire
not only that he should be appointed Secretai-y of War (on the clis-
solution of the first Cabinet) but that he should be invitecl to resuh'.
with the General at the White House, they having botli recently
become widowers, had already at the period of which we are speaking
inclined a favoring ear to the blandishments which, in the spinel,
separated him forever from his old friend and spread a gloom o\-er
the closing scenes of his own life. Mr. Clay was, I doubt not, sulh-
ciently satisfied of the state of the Judge’s feelings to have consulted
to leave to him the appointment of the committees had lie not also
known that if the latter performed that duty in a inanner acceiitahlc
to the friends of the bank he would have disqualified liimsolt lor
the further uses to which it was even then determined to put him.
Neither would the Judge, pleased with the idea of being’ made a
candidate for the Presidency, as he thought to be elected but as
those who brought him forward intended merely to draw the A'ol.es
of Tennessee and some other States from the Democratic nomini'e,
have been willing to assume thus early a responsibility -wbich could,
not have failed to render him harmless. Altho’ it had bec.-omc sulfi-
ciently probable to cause its being regarded in particular movo-
ments as certain that a complete separation between the President
and Judge Wliite would soon occur, it was equally certain that the
consent of the latter at that early period to appoint committees
favorable to Mr. Clay’s views and to the schemes of the bank would
have destroyed his popularity in the States in which it was hoped
that his nomination could be used with effect. Look which ivay
they would there were serious difficulties in the way of tlic confed-
erates. If Judge Wliite resigned the place of Presiclent fro tern, f ora
by shunning a duty he had accepted before his feelings towards
Gen. Jackson had undergone a change he could not have escaped
a share of the odium that would have followed the appointment of
the committees in a way to promote the bank’s designs and he was
not yet prepared to admit that his feelings towards the General were
^ Hiigti Lawson Wliite. of Tennessee.
ATTTOlUOdKAPIi V OK MAirPIN VAN iUTUKN.
i >/0
cIuui^xhI; if Mr. ('lay and his iVitauls wtav drivrn to tlu* nrrc'ssity
of rr|H'alini>* Iht' riilr aui liori'/iiiiJi: llu' prrsitlino; oHiciO' lo a])]H»ini.
ilu‘. coniniil |{‘(‘s llu‘ rliidii‘(‘ would ht' ohliiital (o ^•()^(‘ upon (hat j)r{>pO'-
jsition, and lliiis, if hr xoIimI for if, lu' must. lia\(‘ sharril lar;j.‘tdy in
ihr liki‘ ivsponsihilii y. This was prr}dr.\inu% nay in-ilai ini>: and Mi*,
(day sliowc'd it in word and nianiu‘i% bni- lh('r(‘ Avas no ofh<‘r |)ra<’“
f.irahir r(»roiirs(\ hy which (he schu’tion (d* llu‘ coiniiulfccs (*onld bt'
socuri'd (o (he opposilitnu (l\an ilu^ passa^i' of a resolution rcstorini*;
Mu‘ (‘hoicc'i of (luan to {h(‘ Staiaft', as well at»:ainst tin' action of the
Pr(\si(lcni. as apiinsf. flu*. \'i(‘i‘ Ih*i'sidcn(. 'riu* idt*a of
otrondinii; (he fornu‘i‘, by (his act- td' apparent distrust of his impar-
tialily, did not seian to haA'e prt'siuiital ilsedf to (lu‘ mind of any
oiu‘, alFordinii; tlu'. (dt'aiu'sf. in'idcana* (hat (tu*r<‘ Avas no dis{’ordanc(‘.
iut.lu‘ir r(»sp(‘c( i V(' hadin^s tuul \ i(*wson tlu‘ passa;Li;e o f (he rcsohditsn.
Jud^'e W'hile askial to he t'xcaisinl from A'olintJC nn the rt'soiuiion on
aceounl. of (h(‘ dihannia or (‘mharrassnaait in wldudi ht‘ appeanal (o
(Idnk hinisidt phuMah His (‘olh'a^'iitx Mr, (irundy, uho und(*rs(o(Hl
(lie Avhole. luattiu* thoroinrhly and AA*ho (houjxht. it but riu’ht that tlio
fliidi**!' shoidd he coiiijielh'd lo show hir-^ hamb \ iy;oroii.sly opposed (lH^
motion. The S(‘iia((‘ adjourned widioiif decidiinj^ (la* (ple lion, at.
(.he instance of Mr. h'rcd in irhuysmu wlu^ had douljfs (u\ the subji‘cl,
and Mr. ('lay was t'onsi raimal ({> raise' tlu' cmMain in part, on tin'.
followin/Lj!: <lay, by e'ennintf; to Iht' dudi»t's n'lief, r-ayin/^ many civil
thiiijirs of him and ad\ mrat in^iC st ri'niaurd v liis rt'e{uer.( (o hi* excused,
lie was I'Xciised l)Ut hy the close vote of :!:! to IP,
'ria* ^*roiindlc.‘ s attacks that wen* made upon na* by Mr. ( 'lay, aided
hy Mr. ('alhoun, in (he cotirst* (d (Ids discussion on (he |rausej of
my non appenrani'e amou.Ust them ami their Senatorial a ’ socinh's
and (‘oadjuloi's, under peculiar, imli'i'd unexampled circiiinslaiiciss,
(hi* occasion pr‘es(*ii( in;L»: a fair o|)por(iini(y for Ihetn (emshow (he ah-
si'iK’i* of pi'rsonal ill will in wind they had before done were nut.
only in i>ad taste hut atforded unpli*a''ani e\'idence of the (*\teut to
which such a fecliiii!: had controlled (heir past ai'liouN. As a noticiA
of continued hostility it wa.s, 1 reared to say, snpcr'timm ; and if de-
signed to distnrh my nerves, hy giving me a foretaste of what I had
to 1‘xpeet, (hey might- have done me (he ju.'.tii'e to doiiht, at letr.t;,
Avhi'ther mneh could he ac(-omplished in that ri'gard hy the demon-
stration. Ihit (he Mirpri.sing feature (d’ the occa-ion was that Mr.
M'ehsti'r, for tin* (irsi. and I might witli trntli aild for the oidy tina*
in Ids life, stood hy with fohhul arms mul took ncithm* part nor lot
in a hostile, mo\(‘mcn( against iiu' a. semlda!»li‘ exhibition of neu-
trality whii'h faih'd not- to attract Mr*. ( 'lay's attenrum.
I he ri'sobitioii to (’liangc the mode of c]mo.* ing (In' ctuiimitlccs was
passed hy a strii'f party vote, and^‘ the liHli of Occcmlu'r was df-.jg.
‘'.MS. VI, II. nn.
AMHIMCAN l
676
iiatwl for tlu'.ir clwlidii l>y (he S.'iiatr. I loi>l oil'Miiu.-.i I’lv i.i.'n)
Jackson Unit I would no! iradi Wa- liiurCui ihr .o.-iiiu!-- of
Saturday tho. Mill of that luonih. Wluu th.- oni.-r «;t .-all. d up M,-.
(trundy iuovcmI to (lostpoiu' tlu' (‘lorlioii id cnuiuintfi- usiid ihr iii'
c'00.( ling' Monday, IIh* Itilli, as>igniiig', tor n'u-iui. (hr lo rii> nf ,.y
end nicnilH'rs and tlu' iinportaurr of liaving a hdl S.auOr for thr prr
foi’inaiKa'. of so iiiiportanl a duty. Mr. 1 lay ("oU in- (ant and rarnr t
ground against tlu^ proposition: hr lioprd
l)(»slpoii(‘iii('iit would lint Hm* S»‘uato w.i ■ iv- mil ivi it w«»uid In*
oil tho iivi'nijjfi^, duriiuc llio s<*ssion. Wo uor** non at tia* o?o .»* .u thr
W 0 (*k of IIk' s{‘ssion und wo wtUM* ur;*otl to put nil iho appMtal oa-uf mI roauuit
u niiiltiM' uboul wlijoli ho su[tjionoii itu* lulnd ^ ol a!! . loju»'U loioji*
up. ''rids (lay luid lu‘(‘n uN'^i-Uiod I’uj* ila- ut*p‘*njf so* tsf .lOju' d.i’i . .uj.t p
was as W(‘ll known llioii lluil llitu-o uor** ahuufrr. a if ho. o-»,' \m .uoh
ohj(*oliou WHS urij;‘(’d llioii. d'horc* ut*n‘ imporiaut hilhi u«'d. Uiti . *>0 fho f.djh»
dial OU{J:hl to 1 k‘ rol’orrod (o (ho onUiudffor ‘Tho too** l>»r th* tU flio
(•oUUui(lt‘os was sippiaiaohiiuc nad if u.i ; *0 OHj-Mif th.a th*. h-uld U*
appointi'd now. IT laaidotuou wtwo alt- oat In* rmirff.d i: loii h«* ' *10 00? in
rauil anti ht' llani.^id if Wt‘ Wort‘ to looK at tho p«4;frtal ot^.u .*.» t»-r tO. {!:«• ah
si'uUm's that. lhin;j:s wouhl la* as tlu'.N a*»\\ aro \\ t»o-. o.* ir ! . * .* " Ur
(‘ould S(H‘ no naisou hu* lla‘ tlolay hut that uo uu-ht i.id.- r p. Ma-
tippolnt nioiil:, and la* wotdtl t hta’tUor** i-all llio vo.i. aad oa>
,lMr. \\'(‘l)sU*p stiitl
lit' laid voltal for (ho ohaiii'a* of iho imiIo, in i**. aid f»< thr appMuoo.-. in lO
nii|j(M‘s ^\ jlh a Lcootl doal of roluoiaaoo. It aiipf-ui-d {«• !‘.u * hh. Pv .'.ohoI
h(‘ sonu' diHiouKy in tnakiut^ so .;.-ood a srltn'iiMo m r.- p* i t tn v. fa 1 ** ptm aiif i»* t
wt*n‘ (o proviill. ll apptatrotl (n him :ut oarl> potinil {»» u,
shlofal.itm t»r important laisino.su llo ruourhf fioao '. .r. im >,n in .r.-u, -Ha*'
to Iht* ahsmd jxtudhMatMi to ho hor«‘ ami il i. ..r?d thio -■« ! a.' L.*.- w* had
(‘han; 4 :(M! (h(‘ rulo ihoy ooiild md lomu }(, ami it ^ojdlooirn n.pjj- i On- p>»4
I»ont*ui(‘nt; la* (honaiil 1( was rtha.somddi* and (hat {h»- fmdh.n .hi*n*,| punaP.
Mr. (hh.\T. I undorstand Iho ^a'ldloman (o - ay it rim*' r.* lami*-..! riu-
appohd miMil ol’ ( ^uunill h‘os,
Mr. \\*Kus’ri':!i. I sahl il was an oarly porhuf in fah** up hoporiant ha am -
Mr. <h-AY. A( n<) lina*, F holh‘V(\ lun* (h»‘ a(>fioin(mont *d’ ; fu-on
d(‘lay(Ml jM‘yond llio sootuid wook oT Iht* so «f4iin.
Mr. ({riuidy suid, llial
(h(‘ pros(*nl wais a mwv oaso In tht* ( htvt*nuuont. it wn--, tu Hp-., ^hnj jp,.
vSiMiatih at I ho (‘(Uuna'UnaiUMit i>r tho st*Msiou, hmi oluim;od an hnpMrijud pra»f}or
h’onmudy (lu* proshlin^ tJllioiM* aitptdnital tin* standlnk' o*»mniinfi* > an.J u aa.
wi'll known liiaf lu‘ osorolsod that pt»wor. Tho HtMtih-inm .dou-nr. ihrrons*-.
had no rlpdit in oxpoot lhat lho,\ wouhl ho onllod on at {hi - «dtrl> pm'iiMi ,u r!a*
sthsslon to [HU'forni lh(‘ duty oC ohooslnjur Iho ooinuditnos,
Tlu-. (picstion <d‘ postpom-inont. was drlrruiiiird in il„. alllrKrii ii r,
as follow’s;
Vi-im. tVIi-Hsrs. ni-iilim, lilltli, Ui-i.wii, (■'rrlliuUiu.vsra, (••i.r,.-, Ui. Cmi..!-., tin.
arldts, imi, Kmu-, KIuk, KuIkIU, Mtuu-,., M.,n-ls, l-naitls .. lUu- . ,.r,.
AUTmsUKillAL'HV UK MAUTIN YAA’’ la'KKX.
0 1-* H
i i
U(>l)l)ins, Slu‘i)l(‘.v. Sllsbiu*, Siiiidi, Swil’l, Tiiilnn, n’oMiIiiiscui, \\‘chs((‘r,
Whili', U’illvhis {jiul WriKlit 2.S.
Nays. iM('ssrs. Cnlljoun, (’liainla*rs, <'lay, I’bviii!..';, Knii, Manainn, Nau-
dain, roindi'xiar, I’rt'ston, So\dliard. Siaau’uo and M’yltM- i:’i.
Tho. S(MuU(' llu*n, on iiiotion of Mi*. Maiiirnni, ;ul joiinnal <j\i‘r io
Moiidny ni*.xi.
Tho roadiM* will noi. fail io bo sinick with lln^ anus- hni^di ^lyh‘ of
tho j)assa^*os in iho doliato Ix'twocMi tlu^ two cluinipions oT llu‘ laiuk, so
littloliko what was to Ih‘ o.\|JO(*i('d ri*(jni thi*m on Iho lot* of a ri'-opon-
ijig* oainjiai^di and h'^islai.i vi‘ ssi rni>*‘i:h‘ in whioli ihoy \\ oi*i' hajktal (o
as coadjutors, and slill mono by tlio ptandiar ap])oaranc<* (d' (bt* tli»
vision on Mr. ( Jruiuly's motion : (ho pari h*nlar fritmils of Messrs. ( ’lay
and Calhoun voting' witli llu» foi’nu'r a;i>’ains( flu* nndicui and (oory
Nom' Kn^'hind Simalor siding* with Mr. \\’(*b;;(or sa^(' Mr. Spra.u'iUA
wh()si‘. fatlior had laam a promiiuml* inonilim* of (1 h* dtanocrutio parly
and a friend of iMr. (hay, and (lu» son, on lhal ami, I |jidii*\*o, on all
snbso(|uont occasions ob(‘yod sympathii's similar !<» Iho. i' uhich had
o-()\'orn(‘(l his ralhtn*.
1 was noi. jn*(‘S(‘n(. a(. Ilu^ dialonuo which l(»ok plaon llni . ai llit* \crv
tbi’osholdor llu'sc'ssion hidwcam Ihc principal per: {>nayc - on (he bank
si(l(‘. of tho Scmaic, but can well concei\(‘,, from uliai 1 have (tflen ■ eon
on ol.hor occasions, Mr. (hay’'s look and iiiamuu’ on Ibis. S(t formid-
al)l('. a inovonumt towards over! iirnin/.^’ hi.’- premiersldp may havt^
1 ) 001 ! without idlorior ol)jo(’{ or doliberaie th^ri^n, buf. few will m)
constria^ it.
I ari-ivod at Wusbin^don on llit^ ovi‘nin| 4 ’ <d’ Sainrday Ihc* I llh of
Doconibor, accordin/j: Io Iho* appointmemt 1 had made* s\i(h Hu* Presi-
dent and fomid a mc‘ssa^’o from him at my (juarlt'rs e\pre: .inyr a de-
sire to s(‘.o me* as soon afU‘r hnsakfast on Ihe bdlowin^’ morniu**; us
would suit my c’onvtmimico. I found him, at an early hour, expeadin^
luy visit and attcndi'd only liy Scmalor (b*imdy, and ua** al onci% ac-
cording Io his ciislom, infonmal of I hi* objead, of (la* dt-dred inb‘rvie\v.
Il(‘ said that Mr. (’lay had pi’i‘sse«l Iho. aiJpuinliueiil cd‘ (In* slandii!|^
committooHof tlu*. Smmto al an oarlim* day bul Ihut Mr, (Iriindy. nilh
views which Unit pmtlcman woidd (‘xphiin (o me, had succeeiled in
^^^ettino* Ihe subject put olV lill (lu‘ morrow, for wldc'h liim* their m‘-
lection bad betm made thc‘. order of I1 h‘ day.
Mr. Orundy Mum spoke* of Mu* probable tTaratder cd* llu* session,
th(* (‘xcilin^* uatnre ol Ihc subjeds lhal untdd r(M|nirc action and
of th(\ imi)orlan(*e Io (lie ndmini.dralion of havin/T (lu* camimillcc'S
as favorably constilulcd as possihh*, in all <d‘ which 1 fully con-
ciirrcal. lb*, had, lu*. said, whal lu* cousidertul siiHicitml i*c*ason Io
hclicwc that ail nrran»viu{*n( couhl la* made with Mr. W'ch ler and
his lihmdsby whicli llu* laths* ohjetd <*ould he matcrialh prcJiuoiod,
lb* had exjjrcsscd that ujiiniun (u llu* Px’CNidcut by whom he luul
A.M KUli’AN II IS*ro(:lt‘Al. Xr’Sni ‘1 \’l h .
■ i'.'
%
%
()7S
boon iuf(»niu‘(l of (hr tiHU‘ wIumi I \\i)u!tl w.w’h \\ :r lunj,'t<iu aiul
I'iMjiK'stiHl ihnf no stt^p slnnild ln‘ takrii in thn ni:ith*r hrtoi’f I had
luHni t*onsiill<M| ; lunn-n tlu' po-f pniuMin'iil of thn rlioin* of (aiiuinil (i-as
and (Iin nppli(‘a(ion for llu* prn- ml iiitnrvirw*. 1 )i‘l i‘rmitii‘d cm tho.
insljuii. that 1 would, nndtn' no i’itaatin' 4 ain'o In' a party lo any
such tn’ranuvnii'id'. wiili Mr. \A'rh:tin\ I did ui»( ;i<>p to adi Mr,
(Iriindy for lln* f2;ronnds of ludirl in tlu' prart h'aldlil v of (ho
sriunno proposed or (‘Vcni it» ii'ivt' Idin an oppoiiunily lo a.'-itpi Uuau
hill. proc(‘(‘(led (o slate, al .mjihi' lenL’lh, tin* priiiriph* , and eon idia'a-
(ions upon wliiieli 1 hdt (’onstrained to r»ppo t* i{, Safi lied, as 1
diadtuvd myself to hi', tlnd Mr. (irundy would i»e a • little favorahlo
as I could he (o ti polilieal coalition with Mr. \\*el> tci* 1 uonhl not
say a. word on llnd point hul wouhl liinil myself to an atlriupl to
('oindnce him (hat- no ari’an/j'cnu'id like that upe/e ted, however
plaiisihly ift'viscil or i’aiitioiely pnarded, could he tairried out in
the. Ihiui excited state of piihlii* feclinp without t*\po inp the t huit-ral
uiul his adiniuislvatiun (o tlu* su->pieiun <d* heinp’ di po ed tn favor
such a coalition, and to iiiqjri'ss him with a : eu i* of the advantage.
W'ldi’h Mr. (day would di'i’ive. from hidnp furnished with materaals
(o sprinp sueh a ndiu* upon us. I tlwidt on theroitaponi lie po it ions
which lli(‘ Ih'{‘sidtMd. and Mr. \\’eh.-(i‘r had ahvay (M-cupied, in time
of pi'aei'. ami in time of w*ar, and especially in ndation to the hank
which W(‘ all knew w’oidit he the principal ’’uhjeet (jf the :e i«m ■
(Ih' forinm' tin* di-dnteri'sit'd and fearle ’• op[>onen( of that powerful
inst it lit ion, willinp; to hra\‘i' it. immen e strength from motivi's
I'xchisivcly of a piihlic and patriotic charaet{‘p whil t the latttu* was
regarded hy all sides as mic of it; mot nn ciatpuhnin . upj>or!er.‘i;
on (he (‘on fusion and (’on i*(|ucni alarm with which mieli a etmjum’-
lion as was indiea(i‘d w'oiilil till the mind - of tin* friiunl • who had
thus far sustained llu' (hmeral with o much lirmne ; ;e. the pte.ahli*
foreninmu’ of an nil iinate . nrrendei’ of thi‘ can e in whiidi tht‘\ had
imuh' pi’i'at saeriliiM's ami in which they wish* rinnly to malo’ ‘j;reatt'r
still, i adinilletl, in llu'ir hnaule t Intitmh', thi' troidde. that were
ahead, (he ccrtuiii scv(‘rily td* t!ie strupplc, hut declared that I, for
OIK*, w’as pri'part'd for it and would tmter upon it in the ftill eon
vietioii that tlu* p(*()ple, if nothing' occurred ii\ hhud their ardour
or to raise a douhl of tlu^ ]mrt(y and disiuttuu^stedin* tjf tin* (h-U'
(‘I’aTs aims, in wdiieh th(»y now implicitly eonrnlcah wonht carry U: f ‘
ns on many previouH occutHumB thwy had earrit'd nx triumphantly
thro" the. crisis.
I only att('mp(. to I’ccull the oulHm' of my r(‘murks. d’he Ihx'si-
d(‘n{, nfti'r introdiieinp: the snhjeet, as 1 lmv(> said, eoneiody hut.
w'ilh simple directness and unrcst‘rv(‘, took no further part until I
'* MB. VI. i». u**.
ArTOUKulUAPlI V Ol-’ MAirriK VAN inritHN*.
iu\)
closod (lu‘ui. rtMiiaiiHHl standiti^* I lirou^iioul (lu‘ inti'rvicw llu*
(Jt'iUM’al rastin^’ ono hand npnn (lu‘ inanUd. W'han I had (aaudiuhal
]u‘ loolcad towards Mr. (innnlv, who luadt^ no rt's|Minsi‘ to what 1
liad iir^’i'd, and advisial liini to drop tlu‘ mattt‘r, to wliirh th(‘ lattin*
asscMdiMi and imnu'diatidy withdiu’W. Brtwomi noith(U* of tlu*so
oxMitlrnuMi and inystdf was tlio suhjt'ct. revived.
d'wo reinarkahle cinMimstaiu'es si<»:nalized the opening of tlie ses-
.sion. Mr. Clay and TMr. Mh^lisier, the prlneipal leaders of the party
:in op|)osiiion to the Adininislrutioin who Inul parttal in the Stsiali*
Cluunher, when the prt‘vious s<‘ssion broke, iip^ with appaiaaitly iiii
usual (‘ordiality and nuitual <‘on(idt*nee, now met on tlie sanu^ door
and on the eve. (d* a great* i)olilieal struggle with every iudirailiou
not. only of nlienalion hut of (he imhdgenee on tl\(' side of taieh of
hadings re.<‘ipr()t‘ally lu^stile tmd deliani., aiul hy llu* aid of oiu' of
the.se leaders, laudced hy (‘iglit of his sympathizing eolleagm's,
against, the strenuous elFoi'ts of the other, and to his gianit annoy
auei\ a ])artisau motion mad(‘. hy one of the frituids of tlu' lh’(‘;:id(*n{
was i’arried, to the. .siu’i»rise of t!u‘ unitiii inttuh hy a v<»(<' of that,
body in wifieh the Administ I'at ion— Avhieh prov('rhially repidled
lUMit rality - was suppo.st'd to la* in a hoiadess minority, d'lu'a*
oceiii’nMua's, so (» x I I’aoi’t linn ry at a time whtm pai'ly IVtding wa.s iin
iistiully hitter and when tlu‘ liiu's of party dmi arkation were vi*rv
sharply (Udined, I shall (‘luhaivor to explain.
'the (‘ourse pursued l>y Mr. Webster, at (he previous session, ipam
tli(‘ passage of Mi*, (day's hill for the pari(i(*ation of Soutli (’aroliiuu
was dt'seriluMl in luy (do.sing oletU’Vat ioiis on nidlitieatioiu hut ilau'e
Avere features in the proetaMlings there, related hcairing upon tiu* suh
j(‘et before us whi(di were tint bi'ought- .sullieieiit ly to view for our
pn‘sent design. In (he ahsem‘e of dinad evidema* (d tlu‘ eaust*' td Si)
sudden and so great a <'luing(* in ilu' ladaiions and purpo.s{‘.s (d' tlu» <e
g(‘n(l(‘inen, wldudi is now not to he expeeiiMl, W(* ran only lotdv foi*
its solution to coniemporamaju.s ocaairreiH’es in (la* (*ours(* arid cam
duet, of (la* par(i(*s whirdi sla*d light upr)n tla* sulijeet and of tin*
(ruth of whitdi we have relitihle pnad. do do jtis(I(a‘ (<i the^e
will extend this digression to a greutei' length than was iidenthMl. hut
I ran not donht that it*mp{'rate and Wvdl eon /ahu'ed aeeoiinis <d ilu*
a(ds of uu*u wlio an* destiiaal to figura*. largely in oui' history, on
oe<*asions eoneiaksl to bav(' laam both in(ideah‘ and important, prao
(•(‘(‘ding from eonti*mporari(‘s who luul gtiod (^ppraiunit ies to po* se*-s
themsidves of (he* truth aiid who vwn ntd, at the l ime \vlu*n I heir
r(‘pori is made*. h(‘ under arry adi*quat(‘ uailivc* (o mi>ri'pn*hH*nl it, uill
)>(‘ oi gi’eid int{*ia*s{ (o (la* m<*n of the prt'stuil time ami in»-4 met i\t‘
to (host* who ('(Hia* afh‘i’ tlaun. Of Mr, M^ehstiU*' • pra^det (uaninat ion
to opposi* Mr. (days hill and (n do (hi- withorrt n \(U*y pardicndai
exiuuinatinn of (jr erupuloU:» regtual to t!a‘ exttUit td' (la* eot\ei»‘>sion:;
G80
AMKKK’AN IllS'i'dKU'AI. I A I1n\.
or aim‘l iorat ions propoMal by it, aiu! that h»’ irlaArd that
(h'tio-muiat ion until hr luni in (la* t!t‘ba(»* him rll li.-b>rr (hr
('nnntry, in ri*s[)('r(. to tlu* ixmaral .‘'Uhjrf t, a- la-ariv a la* tlt*iaut‘»l
saiV. aiul praat irabh‘, in (la* positinn la* <!r iri-tl i»» **» rup\, tla-ri* t’an*
not- hr a rc'asonahir tloubt. \ at tin' otily in ulurh thi ajul
couhl, as hr at. lirst tlitJUiiiit Ik* attaiia*«l him, linlil laair thr
t*l<)St‘ (>r thr. (I(‘hatt‘, a aounK* oT ia*r\nn-. par nual appri hrn, iota
Ni*vrrtlu‘h‘ss if tla* {jb.'-tarh*s iti tin* path to ^\hi«■h lit ambition
pointrd wiUH* foriuitlabh* in hi;* i*yrs it \\ a.s r4na!l\ ob\ mu to alt that
till' t(‘iupt!it ions to follow it wrro not h* ■; poiant. { ho Ih a* adrnt ’.s
Prorlanial ion had striirk him a- full of promi o of fnturo aduinrr
nirnt. if thr farilit ir.*. it srt*mi*d to atbuil uiur prompt!) and ui idy
rnibrarod. \\ v liarr authority, nroi* ■ an!\ dori\rit tiMiti hiin olf,
for sayino’ that thr. tir-'t luiowlrdof* hr rori*nrd of h om tmirt*
was i|c‘ri\rd from a (raM*lrr jii>t ai'ri\»‘d from thr rat of tout-rn
mimt, unknown to him and by whom la* v*. a : miLaf*un, wlai ttdd bun
as a pii'i’r id’ urws that <0*11, daok on liad i aird a prorl ini.U nni
a;i»:ainst (hr nnllitirrs 'Makrii altcnf'rt lr*r from \\ ob tn ' prm h at
\\h>r(*rst{*r " whnrr hr'' (\\h*bNtrr) "'had a hoii tno*' ludoro
ri'proarhrd thr Admini ' 1 rat ion for it ha* kwardnr and in o doin**-
had rrrapit idati’il thr powrrs and ilmio , **1 tlir tb-ia-ial lontTumont
a;: prrvioiisly drlinnl in Ido n*pl\ to I la) nr/’ It wa iiaiallv to hr
r\pi‘rltM| that hr .-.liuuhl fail to liml in thr Pro* himai ton nmrh of
what his unknow n inldrinant ha - t[r i'nbid a ♦ im t it ut nir' o pi m
ripal matter or to hr trratiliri! hy it. t hr P»fi ton tia/ritr-, a journal
professing* ^’ood will tuwar«l - th«' Admiui tration of ( Jru. tlark on,
also spoki' of it as follows:
'riir I 'rnrhiuuil i»»n nT Itir i’r** lUria i : a 'ita > iMi rmiat* UM. i.isuar \t} ,
Wa-hstrr; and, iT ttait Unaiiuuti- hrii i^Ia\ i hi. i.ntl-. tarmUt,, hr
ran, a.*i ra.sy us kis,-; my hand, hr at thr h»‘ud ‘*t thr u.Uuiiu’Ui an jms i-.uf lUrju
Iwi'lvr nmnlhs,
It was not : tran/j:r that hr -Imulil i’on druf* thr Mrn of thr timr-
as promishir; Jiljn a liberal part iripat ii m in tin* net ion of an adimni
t nit ion W'hirh hr had luhortHl so hard to o\rrtlu‘o\v ami without,
\ iohmrr to (lit* prinriplrs wlurh In* hud nlwa)s prnfr rd. Hr lost
no time hut forthwith rallied his parly at h*am*!ul Hull and from
its linn* hononal wadis ramr forth the waniu*st t*ommrmlat ion td’ thr
favored State Papiuh of its prinriplrs and of the patimdir rour r of
its distin^uislusl autlmr., with (‘arur^t plrdr'r - uf uppoif in its
(’nforci’iiirnt ; (‘ommrmlutlon and assuranrr . proimdtudrd uudrr rir^
(nunslanrrs and in a fortn whi(*h vourh'afi'tl to Mr, \\h*hsfrr thr
credit of tlirir paternity. Huvin/j: ihm. drllnrd his pn itiun in re
sjirid to a matter of stadi vast, importanci^ Mr. \V(‘h trr rrmaim-d at
hnnu'. until the. issue hidwiam the KiMtrnd tbnrrnmmi and South
(’aroliua luid been fidly formed hy lla* nullifying t)rdinanrr nf thr
ATTTOTVKHniAlMl V t)F MAirPlN VAN lUTUKN.
081
latter, the. passa/^v of a law (o rarrv it inio an<l pronmlga-
tioii of (Jov. llayne’s eoiinhM* Proclamat ion, Congress iu(‘(. on (he.
JUl of Mareli l)\it he ilitl not make his appearama^ in the SiMiale nnt.il
the. .‘Ust- of that month, lie supporttal liu‘ k'oret* hill (to which his
l)io^Ta[)lu*r, Mr. Man‘h, says lie was strongly nri’ctl hy Mr*, (irmuly,
whom, that o;entIeman (les(a*ihes as (lu‘ Pn^sithait "s ■**• m‘x(. fi'icml"’)
in a speech of niulouhted ability, ami this \n\ woirhl have done if his
speech at Boston luul ncv(‘r Iieim made' hecaus{> {h(‘. pi’inciple on
whi(‘h it pro(‘eeded was that hy which h(^ claimed that- his whole
j)iil)lic life had been reo:ulated. Mr. (lay, was also nnrtvsiTNedly in
favor of its passage altho’ he was, for naisons that wert‘ sat isfact.ory
to himself yet lirdih^ to miseonstriulion, uhseat at tlu* vole, aiul did
not emhra(*e the nnaisnre with any (*xtraor*dinary /asiL
The (lise.ussioii dnnv from Mi*. Calliotui an intimation, tlio’ not
harshly or streimonsly pressrsl, (hat Mr. \Vehst<M* was tryino; to
conciliate the administration, and a pis's^mal attac*k of \ io“
lence was made upon him by Htnialor l^oimlixxtci*,' npln-aidina* him
witli liis (*on(bu*t during tin* war* of islp, (bus inllictiinjc a wound itpim
his badino-s the hetiliin*; ()f wlbudi, uj; wt* shall see, was re:aw\<Hl for
th('. c.Iosin^i; se(‘iu‘ in tin* political drama t(» \\hi<‘h the atteiithm of
the Connti’y was now dir’ectcMl with tlu' keenest .solicit mb', Mi\
day's measiiri' <»f ])a<'iti(‘a( ion not yet. formally aimoiim’cd but all
aIoii<j; contidently (‘.xpi'ctc'd at. what be nii^dit think tin' most, niispi-
cions inonient bn* its inlrodiietion, was bmkiMl to as tiu' (omdistoiu^
that was to d('(t*rmiiH‘ (Ik* (‘llVet td’ (Ik* position to sonu' I'.xtt'iit, at
least, a lU'W om* which Mr. Wcbstc'C hail a.ssiuiK'd upon his fnliire
relations with Mr. (’lav and with (In' mass id* (heir piditical associat.t'S,
On tlu* main point, tliat of op|)ositinn to it, Mr. W'ebster's mind had
been, as Ix'fore intimated, doubtless, made up from (In* bi'ofinnin^;
but the maiim'r in which his opposition shoiibl la* avowed, (he extent
to whii’li his objections to thi* antieijialed bill slionbl la* cari’ii'd to
make (hem snUleic'ut for his purposes, and (he way in whii'h llu* one
or a di(l'ei’(*nt (‘ourst* mio:ht la* rei‘eivetl Wina* ijUi'stions atiki*. di'li-
(uite and ji^rave. It having b(»en piadly well a.si’t'rt aim'd that. Mr.
day’s bill, wln'tlu'r satis bu't.ory (o (be ilisaireeti'tl Slati*. or not, would,
if it pRvSsed, snlli(*i* to induce Ik'I* to {dnindon her refractory s4e)»s,
and it btunji; manifestly tin* ii:en(‘rnl senst* of the ( oimtry (bat. the.
adoption of SOUK' such measure*, ' if not indi.spensabb*, was in tlu'- hi/xk*
est decree (li‘sirabl(* to avoid tlie evils of in((‘rm*cine counnotion, Mr.
Websti'r's sa‘>:a(’ity admonished liiin (o W(‘i<di well tin* <j!:r(ninds U|)on
whi(‘h it would la* safe to jilan* hiinsi'lf in opposition to what, mi^dii.
be jiist.ly elalm(‘d to la* (In* will of tin* people. He bad loo mm*h sent*;!'
not to iiJidcrstand that the occasion eas om» tm which (Ik* public mind
' Ocurnc nl' M I'.hJ; -4
■■ M.s. VI. i». i;a).
082
AMKKIfAX inS'roUH’Ah A^i'Uii't
U'oiiltl ii(‘itln‘r iiintvi* allow anrt* for tlit* uaa r prr iar.il ui any
mail nor (ok*i‘a((* (’oniuioliplurrs ainoii^' thr nin(t\«- aiitl f‘\rn r inr
ii’raniin^* or (liaiyintr K’!i’i^latio^u siirh a - nrratrr or \v proi'U’ tcj iln*
luanii rarl urtM’s iuuli*r oiUM»r anothri' .vr( ol iv\ riiiir rf*p'nl.ii ion or inort*
or l(‘ss t‘n(’oura«Li'rni(‘it( to any partimilar inirn* t, ’Tlir r ssrrr mat
(crs \\‘Iu(’h it wrll la* urpnl wonkl In* li-^tnitnlfo with rr prr( an«!
canvassial with ran' luak'i* dillVrrut rinnumtanri' . !»ut uhlrh wtuiM
Hot hr allowed | to [ (’old rol in a eri hkr t hat u hirlt had hrru hrourlit
on tlu' (’oindry partly thnd tin* rrlfnduir ot one nud md Ir . thro'
(lu‘ liradlon/jc vicdimer cd’ another <das>* If wa*" plain, and the (ruth
did lad pa.-^s his intelliL’fenf mind unheeded, that he eioild md hopr to
(*s(‘ape pnidit* d<auin(*iat ion if ln‘ sltonld atfeiufd fo drirat tfo* mm ini'
tlu’ int rodnet ion td* W Ideh i‘y Mr. t day wu-^ rvpeeted, in t he artual roll
(lition of parties ami of fin* ( ouidry, ou any othm* pround than that
it amonnied (o an ahamlnnmeid (d' the proteeti\e teiu and voedd in
volve the eel’tain prortrat Ion of immen interr t - vdooh had .ero\% n up
under th(‘ prtunir.ed eneonrapement of the (internment, d o arrairu,
hovnna’r, the {’{uieiMk'd author of the '‘Anir-riean S\ {mn" iit (hr hm*
of the people, in tlu’ then i‘\eited ami intlammaide eMiidition id’ the
piihii(’ mind, upon the eharpe td" eon t’ntin‘>; fo aentna- the mo ,t im
portant and hltluudo t he mo- t eheri* hed fi-ature of that \ .trm|oa|t
(asase (he Xnllifiers, and to do (Ids when that author ua . •martmp
under t he umrt itieat ion oeiar ioiieil hy a nm .t. anm'vliut d«"ieat a a
eandi(lat<‘ for tin' lh-e..idenev, uould ha\t* hern (o aion .e re rutment .
of the tii’reert nature, to !>ra\e (he prohalde eon ei|nruer . of utdidi
repuiretl a pa‘e»a I er decree td' per.smul iiriune ^ than *Mr. Wrh tei had
(*vrr e\ldhi{ed, erpeeia!I> in td:> intereour e v, itli Mr. (dav, Id preid
iar (Inaid of pvinp' tdTenee to whom - perftauly well lumHU tu their
friemis am! to the piddie. \ v{ :«ut‘U a eour a- or om* uldeU, not
ainoiiminp tt» it on it* faer, eould afterward-* and tinder more rhiphli'
einaimstauers he luatle tt» take that ; luipe iH'fore t!ie (‘oiUiti) one
or tlie o(ht‘r alternatiu* wa> imlisptuiNalde tt* the ueeompli hmenC of
Mr. Wi’hster'.-' as tuned (iliji'et.
Ih' adopted fin* latter plan nUit hr(Uip-ht to it . eXiamtiun all the
supneity and adndtnev; he po- e m‘*|, am! in whieU he had no ipu-rior,
to inuke (h(* po itioir he as aimed and tin* idea , and f*\pre ion hy
whii’h he - npport<‘d tiuuu eouvt»y to iriteUipeut lieun’t' and re;ukns n
sie’idllranee heyoinl hi worth.. He eiUnmeneed Id : pi*i’eh with a taid
(’omtdiment ttj 'Mlie purity, zeal and ahility of th«^ Senatm from
Iveliltleky, far trhnu ha faut Inntj rntt rtautt tt a h^ih f, nnj /o
ihrtth irhnj/i u iiliunttan u^tuVa has ttdiuti stlU >ror
httif firtat ia has f'tjttntrf/ ha hntl ^rtilatrs/ 1 / /ahttn lie nl o eoio
plimt*ntet| fur his talents iiutl ser\ ii’ev t!u» Senator from South ( am
liua (Mr. ralhoiin) #/v7/( trluwi h* ImJ afi, n tir^^ } h.,
lit' hm! fi U (I shu t rt rt
AUTOBIOGRAPHY OP MARTIIlT VAK BUREN. b»t5
Having tendered these olive branches to his principal antagonists,
each of whom he knew at the moment to be watching his course with
sharpest inspection and with detemiination to make it as onerous to
him as possible, he proceeded to weave into his speech the grave
objection to the measure under consideration to which I have alluded,
that of its amounting to an abandonment of the protective policy
without security to the extensive interests that had grown up undei
it, and did so without exposing himself to the responsibility of spe-
cific allegations to that effect or a direct charge that it was so in-
tended by its author. He opposed the bill ” he said, among many
similar things, because it seemed to yield the constiiMtional fOioer
of 'protection ’’ — ^because “ in giving up siDecific duties and substituting
ad 'oalorem the bill had abandoned the policy of all wise govern-
ments and the policy of our own government and the policy aUoays
advocated ly the Senator fro'tn Kentuchy;^'^ — -^‘he could not help
thinking that panic had something to do with it and that if the
South Carolina Ordinance and replevin law had not appeared this
bill would never have appeared in the Senate,” &c. &c. These are
fair samples of the propositions and insinuations which pervaded the
speech. The intelligent reader will find in it continued and unmis-
takable traces of an effort on one hand to impute to Mr. Clay the
design of abandoning the protective system, for the pur 2 :)ose of tran-
quilizing and conciliating the nullifiers and on the other to avoid
embroiling his personal relations with Mr. Clay by charging that
intention too plainly, and I do not doubt that, with all his caution,
he resumed his seat under the strongest apprehension that he had
gone too far.
But Mr. Webster was ignorant of what was passing in Mr. Clay’s
mind at the moment. Deeply impressed as the latter doubtless was
with a conviction of the importance of the service he was about to
render to the country and anxious to perforin it, that was not the
only and, it is not uncharitable to suppose, the most engrossing
matter that occupied his attention. He had ascertained the cost,
had “counted noses,” and knew that a sufficient settlement of the
. disturbance by which the fears of the 2)eoj)lein every quarter of the
Union had been excited was in his hands and could not be 2)revented
by anything Mr. Webster could say or do. Without misgiving,
therefore, as to immediate results he was less sensitive as to what
was going on befoi^e his eyes while his thoughts and feelings Avere
chiefly occupied Avith the plan concocted betAveen Mr. Biddle and
himself for a renewed struggle on behalf of the bank and for the
success of his party widety differing both in principle and in mode
of operation from that which had ended so disastrously. That was
a matter into which there is every reason to believe, Mr. Webster
684
AMEKIGAK HISTOIUCAL ASSOGIAllOH.
had not been initiated, but in which his co-operation would, in time,
be desired and, notwithstanding present complications, was confi-
dently anticipated. It would have been, therefore, inconsistent
with Mr. Clay’s views to expose his some time friend to humiliations
which, with the temptations recently presented by the President’s
Proclamation, might shake his fealty to the bank however strong
the tenure by which it seemed to be held. Made more cautious by
the lessons of a severe experience and having acquii'ed, what is not
usual, with advancing years also greater self-command, Mr. Clay
suppressed, upon calculation, the impetuous retort which, at an
earlier period of his life, would have forced its way thro’ all such
restraints, not only suffered the insinuations and sinister surmises
of his wily rival to pass unnoticed but reciprocated his compliments
measure for measure. He opened his reply with a high tribute,”
as the reporter has it, “ to the patriotism and purity ” of that gentle-
man and said that he felt “ pained exceedingly” at being' obliged to
differ from ^^his friend from Massachusetts,” but took care, at the
same time, to say “how happy he was to find himself connected
with his friend from Maine” (John Plolmes) “ with whom he had
acted in the final adjustment of the Missouri Question.” Of his
speech, in other respects, I have fully spoken in my concluding
strictures upon nullification
Mr. T\^ebster had thus accomplished his immediate purpose. By
general observations which could, at a future day, be made more
specific he had placed himself before the Country as the consistent
and persistent friend of a system about to be abandoned for other
objects by him Avho had, hitherto, borne its standard — a system which,
tho’ an abomination in the South, from which quarter he felt that
he had nothing to expect, had been and could, he thought, be again
ridden as a political hobby in the West and was, in his own section,
a living and powerful interest, entering into the business and personal
concern of the most active and influential portions of the population,
and its fortunes and the course of public men in relation to it were
therefore watched with all the alertness and shrewdness that char-
acterize the race in that region. He had been enabled, by a good for-
tune the source of which it is not probable that he, at the moment,
entirely comprehended, to take this position without a collision with
Mr. Clay which he had obviously and naturally anticipated with
concern, and he determined to let well alone. Although he con-
tinued his opposition to the bill, offering such explanations as he
thought expedient to neutralize the assaults made by other Senators
on the grounds assumed by him and finally voting against it, he
made no reply to Mr. Clay’s elaborate and able answer to his objec-
“ MS. VT, p. 125.
AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF MARTIN VAN BUREN. 685
tipns and, so far from taking any further steps to prevent the pas-
sage of the bill, when Gov. Dickerson, an ultra protectionist, offered
certain amendments Mr. Webster prevailed on that Senator to with-
draw them, declaring that, altho’ he was satisfied that some such
amendments would become indispensable he yet thought “if the
bill was to pass it ought to pass at once ” — and it was passed.
Having witnessed the passage of his bill by a vote of which the
constituent parts were, on other questions and occasions, so inhar-
monious and being assured by Mr, Calhoun that it would pacify
South Carolina and thus quiet the alarm seriously and universally
disturbing the public mind? Mr. Clay exulted in his new claims to a
character on which he had long prided himself — ^that of a Great
Pacificatoi’. By the opportune service he had rendered them he had
placed Mr. Calhoun and the nullifiers in a position which would not
only incline but oblige them to co-operate with him so far as related
to the President and the bank in the great struggle in which he was
about to engage, however indisposed they might be to advance his
political fortunes. Such successful results were certain in his case
to stir into activity the generous impulses wdiich were deeply im-
planted in his nature. Not content with the favourable effects which
the conciliatory course he had pursued towards Mr. AVebster had
apparently produced upon that gentleman he yet felt in the mood to
go further, to turn his plastic hand from the composition of iiublic
dissension to the adjustment of a private quarrel, and thus to confer
a further benefit for which Mr. W.’s admirers and supporters would
perhaps give hun credit whether he did so or not. At the first
vacant moment after the final passage of his bill Mr. Clay arose from
his seat, and, alluding, with suitable solemnity, to the very violent
attack upon Mr. Webster by Senator Poindexter, of which I have
before spoken, addi'essed the Chair, commencing as follows :
An incident occurred a few days ago wliieli gave me very great pain and I am
quite sure tliat in tliat feeling the whole Senate participated. I allude to some
of the observations made by the honorable Senator from Mississippi and the
honorable Senator from Massachusetts near me, with reference to an important
bill then pending. I was persuaded at the time those remarks were made that
they were the result of mutual misconception, and were to be attributed solely
to that zeal which each of those honor^ible Senators felt — in the position in which
they stood toward each other — the one to carry, the other to defeat the measure,
with respect to which my friend from Massachusetts and myself unfortunately
took different views. * * *
^ Mr. Poindexter had taken occasion to allude to the course of Mr. Webster during the
War of 1S12, on which he comnaented with great severity, and compared it with the
conduct of Mr. Calhoun. Mr. Webster declined all explanations to the Senator from
Mississippi. He said that the Senator fi-^om South Carolina was with him In the House
of Representatives at the period to which Mr. P. alluded, and if that Senator , wished
any explanation of his course at that time he would pay the most cheerful and respectful
attention to his request. But he did not feel himself called upon to take any notice of
the remarks of the gentleman from Mississippi. Mr. Poindexter immediately rose and
said he felt the most perfect contempt for the Semtor from MassacMcsetta,*^
AMKfllCAN I ns'l'i M:l( 'Ah AS^nriAl'lnN.
(58 (>
15y Ihos't'. ;uul siiuilnr impartial aia! a-uariUa! at imis Mr. (‘lay
ff)i \\\) ‘A hair I'rit'iully mu! (‘\pliuiat<»rv r<»lh»(|uy lu-tuftai the* hrillma'
eu(, S(*!ia((>rs, which mhhi ctuliHi hi ^haKiiiij;* haiuls aiul in a^^-m real inn<
(jf inntiial ri‘sp('(i am! ^uxhI will. Nd ntu‘ tlnuhttal that lie mulh haVi»
suppressed I hiiiulcxt cr's outluaaik <ui it iir>t luunilc' t at ion nr miu*'
diet! i(. at- any intm'vmiin^ imaut'nt ami all will a^nce that it his inter-
r(‘rcm*(' was dcsi.u’mally ih'laViMl the nmnumt hu' its iv\t*rri-i^ was jiuTu
i'iniisly chtvsen.
d'liest‘ (ic(‘nrnmc(‘s gav(' in the eyes nf all ami e^pethally of Mn ('lay
n inori' ajL»'rci*ahlt‘ aspei’l to the clnstiijit - ‘'enes tif that -.ev iim tliau had
been ts\p(‘eted. dluw mudt^ him a liapf^ier man hy far than he was
when lu‘ left his hoaii' for the seat of t hn ernmeut t»n the cin e of the
Presiih'Ht iai e-haSinn immediately precislinir* in wtu<’h lu* liad sullertal
a si/xna! defeat, do make up for the latter di''S.tstet%: n tar ;c. that waS
possible, and IMrtlu* hr-s tn hi.'- purf \ <d tlu’ majority in the Ilnu e of
l!(*preM*iii at i\‘es h(* ha<K ehielly thro’ hi*, own eihui » remaiitAsl and
eonsnlidated in tlu‘ Senutt' the hi»dy <d' whieh he was him tdf a rnmn*
luu* and In whii'li In* looked as the theatre t>f tlu^ L*;reaf t r.nr act nai :
wliieli h(‘ hopeil to st'e 1 rinmpliantly accompli bed at the ne\t .e :
sion a salV woi'kin^,!: majority, laaidv and aide to carry nut the pro
^LTramim* in the jireparation of wliich he h.ail honi«* a principal part,
fliidniny; hy appearance, nnlv, no leas c takinn heturen laemher .
<d’ a p(di(ical hrniherhood, at the ehee of an artluous and i^xeited
st'ssiniu I’otdd lia\e more i’oininced!) ni^cn a nrance of the e\i t
ene{‘ (d’ a eomiunii s-ympathy or of ihe pmmi e of a /.ealons eu oper
atiou in their fntun* pul1i^;au ni«JU‘m«*nts tlum that whiidt then ttudv
[da(’c la*lwt*en Mr. (’lay ami Mr. Weh.-fer; and vt*! at tlu^lr unw next
meelino\ dnrinn* tlu' iir t da\ id' the m nin^Lt e.^.lom tht*y presented
(hvinseUi , a > we Irue eeti, In friends and foe;., lu ho tile array
naainst iamh o(hi*r, apparently a^- v^ell per.niuiHy us pornically; umh
.Mranmm .-lilL the oeca ion nf this tlemon 4rat inn was a propoMtii.m
‘titeiided (o ha\»» a hearing tm partisjm inteiv ts, hy a de^ntml friend
of Presideiil ,laek-:nin tlu* opponent nf laUh niul of their eummon
)>iil'ty. No iutclli^nml pt*r.snm conver-am w ith the enimunn forms nf
parliament ary iiitereuurse hiawinm pnldie mem can read the ntlieial
at*cnun(. of what ocrurnal on tin* tliMMissiou ami tlispnsition of Sena
tor (rrnndy’s motion witlmut heiuiLC satisfieil tlmt then' i no exair
^n»ratinn in my <leseriptinn of (lu* attitmh* and hcarini.r tnward'^ each
othi'r at tho.n* pmth'men on that ticeusiom A th'inunstrat ion "o un-
expectetl liy tlie ^reat hotly td' tlu'ir party and so diut trnu in its
tmidency wciuhU nntler any t'irt'Uinstam’c.s, hau* taiu sal eou terualiou
in its ranks hut unthu* those in which it wa . placed the alarm pm
ilueed IjV it nvuh uuavoiitahly ^nxaiily a^*‘irra\atrtl dnriinr the few
da^xs Uu4, itH fate warn suspended, 'riadr net nal condition ejui i»*
AUTOBIOGRAPHY OP MARTIRT VAH BUREH. 687
stated in a few words. The bank, then the principal element of
their political strength, had, almost immediately after the close of
the iDreceding conflict, given -unequivocal indications of a determina-
tion to renew the struggle for the perpetuation of its powers and
privileges, a determination which had received the sanction of its
stockholders and the approval of the leaders of the party on the
support of which it counted with entire confidence^. As soon as the
necessary preparations had been made it entered upon and had
been for four months engaged, at enormous sacrifices, in the pro-
duction and organization of the new materials of war which, for
the first time, were to be employed to secure success and only
awaited the meeting of Congress to fire the train,” and just when
its engineers were, as they flattered themselves, on the point of se-
curing the fruition of their hopes and its political supporters their
harvest, all was placed in jeopardy by this ill-omened breach between
two Senart)rs who had been from the beginning its strongest and
ablest generals. To give to this inopportune dissension its worst
aspect it had disclosed itself on so vital a point as the construction
of the standing" committees of the Senate which body was the in-
tended head-quarters of the bank forces and Mr. Webster had been
followed in his adverse vote by a suflicient number of the Eastern
Senators to put Mr. Clay in a minority. All will agree that siicli
a rupture on the side of the bank could not have happened without
the greatest reasons. What wei'e they? Mr. Grundy’s embryo in-
trigue with Mr. Webster could not have produced it on the ])art of
Mr. Clay because altho’ the latter might have found grounds of
suspicion already produced by other causes, strengthened by the
ominous conjunction between those Senators and by his knowledge
of Mr. Grundy’s passion for what ° he regarded as allowable strategy
in partisan warfare, he Avas not informed of its existence, as far as
I Imow or believe, until fifteen years afterwards. Mr. Webstcu-’s
resentment may have been kindled by his gleanings at Philadelphia
in regard to the stringency of Mr. Clay’s requirements, but that
could have had no other or further effect; for, if Mr. C’s suspiciojis in
respect to the views with which Mr. Webster reached Washington
were well founded, the disposition of the latter to separate from him
sprang from far reaching motives of a A^ery different cluu.‘actcr.
The suspicion by which Mr. Clay Avas led to meet Mr. Webster at
Washington as an enemy, and which aa^s confirmed by his acci-
dental conversation with me years afterwards, was that Mr. W. left
the seat of Government in the spring of 1833, after his peace-making
with Senator Poindexter, with two settled purposes — first, to su])-
plant him in the affection and confidence o'f their own party and,
° MS. VI, p. 130.
AM Kiat'AN ins’H Ulh ‘Ah ASS» u 1 A I’h
(hS8
^t'coiullv, to <’ont’i liali‘ tlu' will nl Prt* .Iio'k nn aiul a.
manv of his IVioiuls as sht»ul<l l«(‘ fniiiul ioahlr, w ith chi* iiitci'i«ir
(h'siii’ll of (‘liiplovinu’ <Uli‘ nr tltr nthrr ni* huth dl thf t* lurair , iurttu
I oils as (Ih'V iui;Li.'li( ap[M'ar t!> ho, tt» MTiiro hi ► mu u rlrv at lun (u thr
ial oilioi' a( t hi‘ a | jprnaohiuij' aiol oiaiaiu \a!'a{ir\. 'Thi’ (ii t
ohjcM'i Mr. (May nn as dnuhih*-- t hnriai'vhly mu trad lu'vrr hmi
ahs(‘n( IVtKii Mr. W’ohstt'r's tlmuirhi: ■ ili«a‘ tho mamirnrruirrjt <»f rh«*ir
|>oliti(‘al assni’iat i(»n, and having: htaai, frdta tho t‘o«»iiuiiuih at all
(ilU(‘S t'Xpnstal to attrmpt » at it N arroiupll luurut, pri i (fUt althn'
iinsurrcs.sfid, (hr rrprtitiiai td’ thriii at thr luur I praK tM, if o«»n
durtrd with romiuon fairnr" , uould imt, I tlnuL, hasr !fd Uun in
tlU' ad<iptiott of ,s(> drridrd a ; tr[» (ouaril !u * tiltl ptditioal rnutrd
('rat(‘S as (hat whiiMi la* drtiaaniiaal tu takr air I did talo* tai hi . arm a I
at- W'asli iiiiJi'tou. 1 1 i.<. luMiid' in Mr. \\ri» tt-r'- do uni upon (hr (h-n.
('raps friiMidsliip ua* in this in-aatirr, tht* i<‘\j\ai of a n piriou
wliirli hr, in roiniutai with alnn».4 t*\t‘r\ hndv «d »\ had nuUihrd fioin
tlu‘ ra^‘rr ami nuphatir apjdan o of thr do»aiiia- of fUr Ihofi.uua
tion \\i(h whirli h'anrnil Ilalt liad rr-Mundnl tin i.hr app»‘araiirr uf
that tlorniiaait ; hut his jii*.‘ t inipn* ion had ht-rn urratlv haluau if
not rrinoN rd J»y ohMUU at ion of t ho routlnri id'lht* Ih »• ,nli*nt '• nr* 4 in
(hirntial friianh-, ulus hu' rra on . to lir l•^p}a^^rd hritoiftor, h;nl
turnrd tlu* rotd rhouhlrr (»» \\*rh toi. and ho had hfoii fltU lialurcal
to inalvr (hr rfl'oi t I ha\r not irrd land in v. hnli hr tlionrht tint lit*
had ^alr^rrd^Hl ) to ’ rnirr (hr ronfuiurd fraltv of (hr latti-r to thr
laink. Mr. \\‘rhvtrr'. rtuir r, Irturit-r, dnnnr (hr irrr , not ludy
rr auidviaird his hunirr ii jnrion fan npr-urd thrm uho ruu^irtnin
wliirh lu* r\rr aftrruard ttrrtnrd urll foundrd. Ilu ua , hrv»»nd
all donht, tlu’ rtatr of hi mind in fho r rrpard . uhrii hr inrt Mr.
\\*rh. tia* at thr (‘apit«tl a fru flni,:* aftrr thr opriunr of thi’ 1‘ainr
tSrssion.
If Mr. Wrlisirr's ardor in thr pmsaiil of thr <»ldrrt uhirli Mr. t lay
assinurd that Ur hat! in \ iru was somruhiit attatt*d h\ thr di rour
a^^iUnfUit (o uhirh 1 lia\r put idludrd it is qnitr rrf fum that H ua ;
rnirwrd anti Mrrnj^thrnrd dnrinj^: Ids n- idrnrr at Wdrlnupfoti tliio'
(hr slmrt M*s.sii»n of 1 h:Ui .‘U, flow innrh influrnrr thr rmn rj its-nof
Mr. I/nirmstnii uml po>sihly of Mr. tnnmty ami otln i had in pm
tlurlnr; this rhano-i* ur-4tatl now nr\rr knou, hut, iva nird am! atr
fird that hr had, in thr ronr-r of fhr M's -iun an»i of dir rna , dr iu*
winit was nt*rtlfnl to lay a srrurr fonmiation for thr tihimatr arri nt
plislnmmt of his piirposts .savr only an open laiptnn* with Mr. ( !a\.
hr ut'rrptial thr trnns of ilirlr ftHnrr ‘ ir pmtlrrrd hv thr lain-r
willnutt lu^sitation amk as it vrriniMl, ulthtmt appirhm ion.
T hnvt» hrforr d(‘srrihrd tlir iniprrsdfui niadf* upon nr* hv Mr.
(tniudy’H cotumniiirutum in rrspta-( tt» Mr. Wrh tiu' . prohahlr aim ,
AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF MARTIjST VAH BUREN. 689
spoken of the absence from my own mind of such a suspicion as that
which Mr. Clay entertained, and assigned the men, by which I have
been induced to review the iiremises, from whom it is probable that
his conclusion was drawn. Whilst it might be considered presump-
tion in me to undertake to pronounce definitely upon their sufficiency
I am free to acknowledge their evident strength and consistency.
However well assured Mr. Clay might think himself of Mr. Webster’s
grateful sense of the favor done to him at the close of the preceding
session, the nature of their past relations and considerations of the
important concerns with which it was intended that the attention
of both should be occupied at the next rendered it likely that he
would, during the recess, keep his eye on the movements of his
expected co-adjutor with more than ordinary interest. President
Jackson’s purpose to visit the Eastern States was v/ell understood
at Washington before Mr. Webster left that city and the expectation
was generally entertained that the course he had pursued in regard to
the doctrine of nullification would call forth a more general demon-
stration of respect from the Eastern people than might otherwise have
Ijeen exhibited. Many, perhaps most persons, would, on a first im-
pression, have taken it for granted that Mr. Webster, if he cherished
the desire attributed to him by the supposition ^ve are consider-
ing, would have made it a point to be w-ith his people on the
President’s arrival amongst them, to have participated in their demon-
strations of respect, to have mingled in the combined assemblages of
the President’s political friends and his own, and so to have manoeu-
vred as, without a seeming effort to that end, to cause, as he did at the
Fanueil Hall meeting, the eulogiums bestowed on the Chief Magis-
trate to be regarded as virtually proceeding from himself. But, in
the case supposed, conceding to his position a i^ortion only of the
dignity and influence with which his lavish admirers invested it, he
might well have reasoned differently in regard to the steps by which
such a coalition as that he desired should be preceded ; he might well
have preferred a course of proceedings by which to save so great a
sacrifice of his personal consequence. His enthusiastic young biogra-
pher and friend, March, Avhen, treating of the proposed union, he
spoke of Mr. Webster (who was, he says, “ admirably qualified for a
great adviser”) becoming the great ally of General Jackson, of
“ securing his admiration by the majesty of his intellect ” and supply-
ing “ the mind to plan what the other would have had the heart to
execute,” may have come nearer to Mr. Webster’s vicAA^s of what would
liave been the character of a union between Gen. Jackson and himself.
Whichever way Mr. W. may have reasoned on the subject his actions
certainly were most in harmony AAdth this idea. So far Avas he from
taking j)ains to be at home AAffien the President arrived in Massa-
1274S3°— VOL 2—20 44
cm
AMKUli’AN UIS'rnllH’AI. ASSUt’I ATI()N\
(‘lnist‘(ts Hull. ln‘ IIh* vUillV |HTit».i i»f Oav (n‘UiM‘al'. \ \ \i in
New KnjL^iiUul fnr liis raiuuiis Wt'shTii tnur, wlTu'h IjV hi : hiiJin'apluT
is (les(‘rIhiMl as havinir hrtai ‘'tviiu entuinual an*! li\ hi ,
friiMals of (Iu‘ Xalituuil lii((‘UipniiH*r a ■ an uxuiir^ i^n in (hr [nujTr ;
of wlii(‘li lu‘ wrnu^lit lilllr h* - than a luirarlr ujuni par(\ fnal ainl
{|i\*isi(ins in lhi‘ \\'r:ilarn (’ounlry*' etfiinr r<*rl!n a it nm l v’imu*
fill tro[)liy, a h‘i(t*r liy wliieh Mr. lirmniy, in (sinucrt if)U uitli ru-ral
of Ih'IU elaok.son's fritauh-^ anti iirir'lilxHir:. at \a*h\iilr aial uHirrs
wiMionl tlisl inci ion <»!' pai'ty, iinitr hinn in hinhly tsmiplinirnt iry
(I'l’ins, to \ isil that oity aial its nt'ii,rhi>c)urhuiMi, Hy thr a»h»|»tinn of
(his rour: i' Mr. \\’rl> -Irr svas tniahhal ti? yivr ntHfi’ cluout \ aiol I's ^atrr
etruau'V to siicli Irlhnh*^ of rt*spi'rt («» thr jiiihlir artv uf (hr Iht iilrnt
as la* nii;^iit <h‘.sirt‘ to pay Ihom. In (rati uf ^prahni**: (m that hnrh
oiliiaT as (la* rliainnan <»r a (aaunultra or a * thr inn\i*r r** ulntion i
al a piihlir moat inn.\ ron\ rviipr hi ou n ‘i*n((inrnt- na'iiitin! hy ilr* r
<»f oihrrs, as uonhl iiavo horn (lir r\\' r if hr Inal ua!(r»i Im ri'Orisr liiin
in tin* vicinity ijf his own linnas la* ronl<l nou r.prah in hi . <»u u n ainc
nnth if hi* rln)‘ r so (t> tin, t!ir uninixrti frrlinjj: ‘‘f hi hrart , an«l in
slrUil of uthlrrasinj^f tinu in (hr initlsl of a populanon n nuii^i itv of
whom (hr Ih’t': iihait \rry writ knru* wouh! nosrr- t* far nh hir thrir
inv(*(rra(r pri'iutlirr ; or rrrant tla'ir i‘ltl aial rnn(»-.| »l«vfiMir a to
hrriJinr his^inrrrr snp[airlt‘rs, In* t’“uhl 'nv vHtat lu* mif'^ht >\< i?i‘ It)
him or* at him in (la* hrarinnf f»f any porli(»n of fhr p<‘opli» .<f W'r (
whom lir .•.la>nlil ha\t* n*a on In think ]»r f a«lapt4‘tl t.* (<: pm p*» »' ■.
Mr. Wh'hsh^r Was lla^n ami Inul always htnai a parf\‘ m.tm <• iiaiulv
uimmiT (hi* Irirtrst if tn>l ulsti anuniit the hiitrrr i h’ -m. It
snitrti his V irw '■ tcMlntr hi parti an charactrr ami anm-r (!<! tmir,
ami his politiral ojtponrutN lnt\uu.!: hrrn thr \ir(<tr. la lltr ha i l•'^rat
rout ft arni rr^lin<»* in pns*.rs'.ion of thr I lovtn nnamt , v, .fr ooi n'uh
pn.MMt to mrrt liis ativunrrs ami (o n*(a*i\r m <li lin/on hr*l a h'o!rr...
nmirr ! tH‘h rin^inir iaiH’rs, whth frank i‘ontiality. Ihin ri-o ! tmt thr
assumption of this non-comlmiant appi‘arjinrr wa v.llh thr Urhuy .
ami urinal vh'wsofhis party wWl in* hrat mn i»irrr»i v. h« n n.- p* i,k
of tlu* rmishin^ t>uU(*h whirh la* travi* hj this prarr pia»fr lap, at !«‘a I,
if not a]s(n in n stirrial s(‘n.sts pi*a(*r inakiii|!; mft'rpri/r,
Ihthrn* (linn<*rs, ro fifir/ifn*\ wi*rr*, with a ; itmlr i'\rrpr.i.H i n <
rinnali), avoiilrd, hnt la* ai’rompaninl luryr paK:** t.n p ^ « -nr
(*xriirsions, n*(*t*i\rd aihlrr,ssi*s, tunl notirrd thrir rontrijl v }r n tir *
n'liitrd to pat'liriilar points in tla* improvnurnt of ihr i ►SiUiiis.
(hr lid(t*r .sul)j(‘r(, with (la* proiniis* of furthri* ad \ aar.-m.-oi o.d
(hi*. fa v(iru!)!(' <.har.\r(i.r <if t!ii> fun. liiui in;' l!ir i.ipi- >.!' i,'
.siMU'cht's. INu-(y politics were, shniiotisly c cUcv.cl .■!• j... (. ..u. -i.
Thttro wiia not a word stioken any wliorc, ya\’c at Cut . ititia'i. h.'
" MS. VI, lar..
AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF MARTIH VAH BUREH.
691
eech at wliicli place was not published, to which the warmest ad-
irer of the President could not have listened without receiving
'ence. Apparently Mr. Webster reserved all that he wished at
at time to say of politics, jiast, present, and future, and of the
urse of President Jackson in that connection for his speech at
ttshurgh, in the State of Pennsylvania, at which point his Western
-ir terminated. The unsurpassed fidelity of that great State to the
meral and the anxious solicitude felt by the j)eople of Pittsburgh,
w'ell as by those of the State at large, for the maintenance of the
otective system were known to every body and by none better
derstood than by the orator. It is fair to presume that these were
■ong the reasons by which he was induced to consider Pittsburgh
i most eligible place for the promulgation of the views expressed
that speech in regard to his own course and that of President
^ksoii in the suppression of nullification and to the importance of
5 protective system, of which he thought himself entitled, after
i proceedings of the past winter, to the distinction of being re-
dded as the pinncipal champion. The more the Pittsburgh speech
ionsidered the more evident will be found its bearing on the point
:ler consideration. The significance attached to it by its author
Dears from the facts that wdiilst the speech delivered at Cincinnati,
’ promised to the printer, wuis never furnished, this, having been
e published from the notes of a professional stenographer, was,
iiths afterwards, ]'e^'ised and materially enlarged by Mr. Webster
iself and republished in Niles’ Register, the principal mouthpiece
:he protectionists. Mr. W’s uniform friend, the venerable James
i5s, an old school and consistent federalist, was chairman of the
Tonittee of Invitation, which w;is mainly if not wholly corn-
ed of Webster’s political adherents, and the Mayor of the
wdio presided, manifested himself a zealous member of the
le denomination. The meeting was held in a grove and was
mded bj^ some three thousand of the citizens of Pittsburgh and
vicinity. Mr. Webster •was presented to the assemblage by the
yor in a brief address full charged with compliments but dis-
:tly engrossed, however, with the domestic questions and con-
is of the Country in respect to which Mr. W’s latter oxiinions
best accorded with those of Pennsylvania, ^Dlacing Nullification
the jDrotective system in the front ground :
entlemen, [he said] "we are this day Citizens of the United States.
Union is safe. Not a star has fallen from that proud banner
ind wliicli our aft'ections have so long rallied and when, with de-
tful assurance, we cast our eyes on the eventful history of the last
■, when we recall the gloomy apprehensions and iDcrhaxDs hopeless
vondency wlrich came over us, who, gentlemen, can learn without
'i
(592 AMKI:H‘AX lllsrMi;U*M. \;-;Mr|AT!n\, I
;i <» r (‘Ilf I that th<* iiTfaj t h:nu[*i«Mi t!if ( fifiitinu j
ihixi Daniel is intw in fhe ini<Ut nf ti- I 'In !i? < minlnv in
(elleel (lu* naii(Ui, wit h nin* v diet', cM>ni’hle«l itrd’au r ni Hit* nr
Shall llnnv bi‘ withheltl rnnn the trininphanf a<hni‘;i(t* a n it inn':-
jLrral it nilt‘ !
ll is wnrthy nf nanark (ha! nnillier in i*'i^in^' (hi ^^’11 ik.fmr !
prnminenri' (n (In* r'lihj.MM .ii‘ mil I ul sit it at nnr in hi isn-ne ! apjHail
(hr (he nalinik; aratiunle hn* vr r\u* frnni tin* that hail
i*n\ irniiial i( wa - (he name of Amlreu Jaek nn i'\en ieentiMm-,h or
his |»ariiei(»a( inn in (lri( vwm ileliveranee alluileh tn tui^e ^ n it a .
( !u‘. ilesie*n nT (lie |)ara“;raj*h immeiliately iolkn\ihi*; thi »inthnr i nf
adniiralinn ami prai.e of Mr. W’sh-fer \^hi-■h aimett tn imv, rht*
^.U{M‘^inr ir-efnlne , in (he then tlnaliou oj the nl *’ uitel
leetnal pre emimaie ’ " n\er appeal to the utu'.l anil th** ha\MUt*t."
Wlimiee Mid i* ( his . iumi la r nmi - inn^ renderetl the luMt'e r tnkin^t' hv
(he plaee where ami (he pt^riple hefuie whom :t oeium'th it t noti
iatsy (n di ftn'er: \Mu’lher vn* are to altrihute it ttJ the ; Unjeit!<\ of I
(he MaS'nr ( ^\ ho' e name t. imt re. iri’tletli u itii the j. chne ‘»l the ;
^ene^a}de ehairman nf tlie (‘omiuittee ulen from it uie m tii.a i
‘/ealnn:: aihneate of (lem ,la» k on' elr -tton. Ji id linai-.l tron:‘»'ly
ayaii!: ! him vJien he found that he had mi falom the h an of his
politieal semituenf . or \-.i!e(!«re n r 1 llst* rr nit ot de i' ii to iu'
i rean’ the entlii and to .-well (he of M?-. W'eli tri-'. \ , ry tiitler
enl I’nur e whale\er ma\ ha\e !ie»ai (he nioine the latter did m4.
fail (n ei\)> in thr Ih-e ident' nrioil i iimluet the . amo pioiainem e
whieh had heeii .aerotded tn hi own hy the Mada' and (leafed fhe
; uhjeet In a way with v. hi<‘h the friend id' rJu' k *»n had re;eofi to he |
sa(i liial. 1 h‘ pnke of han as a ** patriot!-' rhii-f m o*, ij j
^u•ts "Mrue tn evetw dnty and who, ‘m^lien the eri i n i ived in
whieh nnr Don tltm’ou \\:i in d:in?n rd' ti pped fftrward in li . ile '
feiirt' in a spirit whieh had Imlnerd him (Mr. Weh ter) to \ ieht 'Mm{.
a (amt* and he llalin^tC hnt a eoidia) and ellieirm uppoit In his
iiHsr nrc* d'
In all thi . Mr. Whdeier did nn ninia* than the eiilpahlo onn mn j
nf thi* Mayor alnl (In* other eirenni fauees nf the ea e impo >*d itpmi '
him ae a duty. !n a MihsfM|nerd part nf h? addn' , hot hrfore
ht* inid rptitted the in‘neral ^alhjeet, lie availed him elf nf i he oppia’
timity In rnnnmmtl the \ie\vs in re^nird tn the enndiiet nf the t Inv ^
i‘rnnu*nl whiidi he had found to prmail in the eonr e of hi- tonr i
Jtnd in that mnni’etion jo add wind follnwr : I
T know Hint thn-ie wlm taive Neeil (If In eunae l (n Su-, lit then- Sifere aH
In ('niiKress njinrme of the uieasarea rertitiumii«h*fi the Tre at.-j We i
M-e Hint he tms tnUeu ot-rnatna, ihnaaa Hu* free mI' (SinareM . f,. . n ■
nnrt ut‘ (III* c\mu(i',v; and \ve knuu hi»w he ha-, {.m-n j*reiwd. Nouhnn* have I
hnmiM heeu exteudeil with men* sliu-erity i.r frhat,} ddr ; and. fur uiW^ *
i.::
tUL'n, I tnkt‘ (UH'iisioii lo sny Hint, hnvinjjj hi'nrd id' his rtdiinv lo tlu' st^at <vf
willi lu‘allh i-n(li(‘r il is timoii.a’ iny most (‘anu'Sl
prayt'rs (hat i’roviihMUH' may s]an‘a his lil'r ami that ha naay ji'o (hri>ujL!:U wUli
Ills adminisl rat'.ian and cauu* oul; with um succt'ss aia! .n’lory as any
nf his prodtHvssors.
na\’id< 2 : ])ai(l this (rihiito of ros])e('t (o Iho Prosidont and oHVml
nj) (hose, earnest prayers for his future sinaa'ss. Mi*. VVt'hsier next
turned to the sentiiuents favorahle to himself as the IViend of
(louiestie Induslry, expressed hy the Mayor, as (o a. niat.ier of which
lu‘ was (‘viile.ntly full and fully j>n‘pare.d to speak, lit' <li(l uoi- red'er
to Iht' hill Mr. (da^’^ had, Ihrin* luonlhs hefon', in( rodiKvd and {*nnsed
lo he passetl lo (juiet South (’aroliua,^ and of whieh he (Mr. VV.)
had said, fioiu his plaee in the Seiuvii', (hat !\e <jpposed i(. Ijecanse
it im[u)sed a .restricl.ion u|a)n the fu(iii'('. h'je'islat ion of ( 'one; i 'ess, be-
cause it s(‘enied to yi(‘Id the constitutional powm* of [)ro(.(*cl ion
and because <»’iviuo‘ up spia'ilat ihiticvs ami siibst ilutino; <fd
the bill had abandoned (he poliry of all Nvis(^ <j:ovei*nmen{s
and the policy of oiii’ own government ami (la* poliey always advo-
cated lay (he. Seuatoi* fi'om Kind ucky I did say he did not iianu>
that hill at Pittshur^»h l>u( lu‘ spoki* at it. with ^‘reat power and,
doubtless, with ^-ival tdlVci. upon minds so stron^ji.iy pri*dis])OH(Hl
af^ainst it as were those <d‘ (he manu fact urine; pt>pidaiiou of (hat.
city, in a s[)ee(‘li which luul luam obviously prt'paretl with unusual
can' and r(‘st‘ar(’li, wldcli aiimal to place tlu' suhjt'ct- in luwv lights ami
finun I1 h‘ iidlmmci' of wliieh it wa.s appanmt that much was exp(‘c((Ml.
lie spok(*. of (lie proit'clivt* syslt'in as a polltw wdiit'h Massachusi'tts
had not originated ami to whit‘h slu*. was not originally favorahle,
which hud l)(‘(‘n hrought in((» (‘xisienc(‘ hy (.lu* overwheiming influence*,
of X(*w York, lk*nnsyh*ania and t)liio (the Slnlt*s to whicli be luul
math* (la* \‘l‘;il 1u* wa:; (hen U|)nn tin* [joint of closing,) but in wliiih
.^he luul at‘(p'r'se(*d after it was thus adopted. He said that, they luul
given (lu‘ir capital and labor to it. that (hey had hectmu^ w'ediled
(o it, so (hat "Mlieiu’ was n<»w no sluuh* of di Hcrt'ucc* hc'tweeii the
in(er(*^ ts of IVmisylvania and Massa{*huset is/' Wt*. shall not,"’
.‘.'lit! h(‘, ^\vi(*ld it without a struggle, neither shall wa* yield the* prin-
I'iple of protetdiou, w'lthout a severe. struggU*, umler any einnimstaiu'es
w hutevi*!’."
I h‘ tr{*at(*d the sul>j(*c( throughout as if (he ({uestior\s of yielding
the sysh'in and its c<)nst it u( ionality had het*n newly pul iu i.ssue.
ami umlm* eireimr t ances of im*uac(‘ and piaadiar <tang(*r lo its (*x-
111* introdU(H*tl as lu'w a di'taili*d ami vt*ry ini ei'i'st ing stait* *
nu'ut of (he proeecMling.s (d* (ht* meehanies of Ihislon "Mlu* worlu'rs
’ Afi A«‘f in njuiliry Uh* A» f til’ Mj.* rujirfriafl} <it' July * ♦ ♦ and all oIIum* Aids
IhijHi.da;: <>n iu'iaa I: . Api' 0 )\»-il .Mati h 2, IS.'l.'l,
' .MS, VI. p. 1 m.
AWl.VM \\ li, \
GVi-i
ill I h‘at litT :f j, in tin. in f. -an.i .-l iK-r 1
oral ( ‘uust i( ui i« ill* in Imv^ u»»t inr 'm! aai' n tn* >, » iji
Taviir nf priilrriinn hui ihai in «• | ..'r ,*, n iH | -i « •!» milit v
\\ a'-' a I’l’ihal'lf a mniriillua' r :■* . o ,* i ■> fjir r ii ’!i*' u inu nf
4 lu‘ ( ’nn.' l it ut i« »n it rl K aii*l < \'\ .i\nn' :
rinlrr t'in'uui !.;h. r- . !* t - • : • -a n. n .
fin’ :-.r.':ni*L r “ = ■■ . ; ■- . rti 1.3,1
!('<■( it
> 11 , il‘ Uiiu •/. ill an i-. r'.'.
' I
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III! Mr.
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man ulm
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a ali*ith.r!’
ami
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Mr. Hu
rlir
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uvr r
t lirnu
, nr an at t ;
mlv n \
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ami
t .ihiiii f u:i>i: rnr i >
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tit Ir
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a- l.ih-l Ilf ip lit “ t*
. . ( iP. h
f<»r ll'lil. I*lt\ thal ni’ aG'mMlr aial tJ.r 'U. !t.»' » n ta lh»'
{'(itiutrv, uT ihr [irtilfrl r, r V an i . .!U.{
|>ri»Hiil!',’:ilr( t at Ui’li a mtiinrut iwllitita, at I*- * 1, .h;;* j ^ pi
('iiMi tlial lit* amt In parli u-ni a i.n -'ti hi ippir' » ’i.i Mr. \\»4i
.•li*i\ ill [ »ri i| »nrl inti i*i in U ' »!i , A liMi- i*if ;.r lii J k 'ifi , r :iii^
(»l hi-, [iutilinal ailhfrr’it . ^liH 1 i:nl fhrnk ihif l.n vMi.aki k.r.>‘
thniiplil it nx I n-if iriit , if Mr. \\«“h f«r !rni 'ki-» Ij ^ . I:h ‘n hi li f fin*
lna t ( nr I*i* t a it l li«*l l t * C 1 . t * > hi r .t L ' if h h : ; a at I ' . I f 1 ‘ f i 1 1 I nun
nn-i-. 'i'lH»r*al'•hl^ ah llrn a !.»• Uip'iil h •••n. h t, tp. Ij I .In
\ i’ln| njinnl , t*i’ l hi* ih.{ M • h.ikl\ nf tiiauif anu up ft mu. 11. rn
latinli pr-niaaiin}}! t\ UJti* Mi'. Wk-h hn, Jii'i, rii li.'!.' , l.finr, |5|r
(ir|)| li n| f lin < ! i flUt Uifli U !i U’h 1 1 u* 1 :i f hT U i i'-rut 1 » k « 1 h ; tlinpia
nf ulial \%n > ralh'.l tla* *1 mlv un paiiv ami in »t in.< t ulk: uhal
kauli'i au»i hr lumhl Irur htn ij iiuhiinil in h.i.k sifiMis r|l.a{ u> y.iui
a funihnhl in that Ijuaitnr u ■»* liMprlr . ri In juakr if k itV 1
ruin*, r In liii! hi r \ r tii i hrui :Uhl lt» t I II t h» f !in pnUnr ,if f kn hauk
t»i M*rUfi‘ liuli prii ahlr riin] trhit inu. !li- h;ul |h u u,,f i Ipt!** ill
flutMiruii ill thr lulujilinU tjf thu cnnrit laf . av n.an »♦ !ii' kill |r;t :r.-.i
Innaial;; Mr. \V. Ut tlu* J »rr»*ut liur^ r inli hv tfu* k lu * v, fn ! Ij,* p,.
.M»> aril nil ihir [mint uiitl hv \vhal hr aw nf |!a' «-\innf fti uhu h ii;at
p’httrmau hull iiirruimtal ihr <jlr (arlru tt» hi |»r*ipu‘ ut thr .hrri'
tinii imlirutial fiy flit* (‘huu am! uiiuia* inauiua' in uka.-h hr ha*! »ir
vistal uml laiiultirtfii tin* krnrrriiiiitp: 3 ,f hi- Kanruil Halt ua-rhu-*' mi
thr orras’uHi hf thr lir.M uppiairaurr nf ihr I*i tn^laiuat inn, ’I hr r r. rr»*
Mtrli as no prartiral nmn, with only a iiimlrraU^ harr i.f iMiunmn
^ Voi. 1 n r*
i
\
i
I
i
i
I
AUTOBIOGRA^Biy Ol;’ M’AiOTiNr VABT BUBEiST. 696
sense, could have failed to avoid. Gen. Jackson was in Congress
during the first term of Washington’s Presidency when the germs of
the political creed which has been, in its leading features, in suc-
cession, that of the old republican the anti-federal and democratic
parties, were first planted in the public mind, and he had imbibed,
to an extent heretofore stated an abiding sense of the justice and wis-
dom of its doctrines. I have heretofore also remarked that, whilst
its vital and fundamental j)rinciples were never obscured or shaken
in his mind or heart, he had doubtless lost, in some degree, during
a long military service and consequent withdrawal from and indif-
ference to party contests, his familiarity with the liistory of some of
its particular tenets and the perception of their constant application
and importance. How far the character of the Government, other-
wise plainly defined, had been affected by the declarations of the pre-
amble which had been affixed to the Constitution was one of the
vexed questions betAveen the old republican and federal parties of
that period. The different effect of the adoption of the one or of
the other interpretation has been elseAvhere described. The doctrine
of the democratic party in that regard, which is identical with that
zealously insisted on by the early i^epublicans, was siq)posed to have
been ignored in the construction of tlie Proclamation and the ancient
federal dogma to have been recognised in its place and the Faneuil
Hall meeting, called to consider and express an opinion upon that
State Paper, seemed determined that nothing in respect to the
groimds of its action should be left to inference. Its resolutions,
offered by his friend Col. Perkins but bearing unmistakably the im-
press of Mr. Webster’s mind, and doubtless dictated if not written
by liim, gave special prominence to the rival definitions which had
been so long the subject of dispute between the two great parties of
the Country, claimed to find the federal doctrine asserted in the
Proclamation and adopted by the Pi'gsident and, with that under-
standing of the scope and spirit of that document, expressed the
warmest approval of them and pledged them the support of the
meeting.
The apprehension that the Proclamation was in truth obnoxious
to such construction, strengthened by these proceedings, cost tlio
President many friends, particularly in the Southern States. John
Randolph seized the opportunity and, taking advantage of the fact
that Col. Perkins, who offered the resolutions and Harrison G. Otis,
Avho advocated them in an able speech, — ^two gentlemen of as high
pei'sonal honor and probity as any of whom the Country could
boast— had composed a majority of the Commission sent by the
Hartford Convention to the Seat of Government, and were met on
their way thither, denounced the President, as I have elsewlierc do-
()()(', A.MKl'.trAN 111 - unnr \1 \ i lM',.
I,
foi' ha\‘iii‘‘; " ‘li mtJUftl ihi* '■ ■” iji-; ,■
c‘U‘r(i(»n («» tla* Cliirf Ma-i ir:u’\ <•( th,- .*f fin* ( . S/' |,
fut' havliiij!; “M rail* hi-- ri'al Ira n*! .'.h*; i , h^uut'i haiitl
aiu! IniK, his aihl tiuar Mlli-iv t t M.au , ih.* lilti i h'.ltMul! ||
ultra hank, ultra tariil\ ultra htii ru il Ijuj - r.u .mu-mu mimI 1 { art I’uivl >
( \ 111 \t*ut lull ini'U ihrhahitual mmiIui* fi Sitat'i' Uiaui » X»'. 1 ha-a
(‘(I'tM'ts uf thr t>u tun mt'atiiu*', atl.lf'il l‘t hi r.h ■•r\atinn tjf
ihn ilistru-1 nml rvtai tti hkf Mr. Uh l* tt-r umutV t.-.j, uu many
nia^niuir \ b\' tin* Ln’t*at huilv ul ihi* iin'n>l fji th** \‘ininn li'aliun, ^
miniit wnlh ir- I liavt* rmuarluMh iia^u M«. t I n, ti« irn up«in i
thn uli.shh’ln ihfV |irM fUttai :iu\ uih'.iuf hri'Ami tluan i
Hinl ili‘t tu'in iinnl him tu tain* m» puhln* iiMti.-u nt Mr. Wrl' f»M nmvr !
nu*n{ at Ihtt. lmrnh if it luul ru.h'ii tlimaa \
I»ul till* latlrr nU ' nuf rt»nfr?U uhh ih.* Ui iMf-r t u Thi* .
vS(i’mu»;ra[ihi‘r'‘ rt‘j>urt nf Iji 10 / 1 *. h-^u i.t \il- Ih;-: f^r,
in .Inly, it wa uh. r»|n*Mit anm aun » ,1 ui ' !->« t»*!t UrV, j'a|nM’
that hr v\a t*iu»;am*fl in riui’.in: it ;n?'l ui :u- *»» th»' uiik- |Mur
Ual uf t IftnluU’ It'tli’ thr rr\ i t**| uauit :i ;m • ! a IM : i' «*. 1 hi ,
\\;r aflrr (hr rNpnhfnt . nt' ih*' lianl. u. iM tU-;.,- . , uuau ^ |M'f :
;.uri‘ hail hrnnil ttJ u|ifrat.\ a IliT it a-fiU Ui.! ih, Mpi- I;».n p! • . r
Ir.nl ]iartiaU\ MUrm'ikui m uku n.ni*’^ th* t > uUn v.uu .a- :i- auurr
hull iuns uf hi trr •. aiitl ruin t «» hiMt'nii.'i. i up«*!i it h\ I i^'u .l uk>.n‘ .
intrr IVnuirr uitli it’-rj-niit . anu .fu». la ; , itM i Mi. 1 u; fn.- \,ni hrm ■
rt*iun\i*il l>y tlu* Iha* ItiiMit hrraii r \. n tii »'h tti j ilhU h piMmi r
ridiar to t’arr\ «m( hi*. pnhr\ nr tn w i*ui, aiin- thf- yt.-.u- h iuL . iiail
ln*t‘U M’lrrtrh a* ilr|.«» it‘>rii' m| InlUi'n -iiih aiuat
rAury rurnrr ul' tlir laml ua rlmunr v. ith h»MiUn. miI um um t th *
Prr: iili-nt a - a tyr.'int uhu r ipmaam'u anh laiMr .-h n-** .n-ir l.i t
run^ii'iiinn il iutrvr t am! it Imtitmiuu !«» iii ‘u.u- a: >1 hr trm
(iun. If Mr. (ha\M nhuh hml hrra rntn'ri\ nnui » |Hh:r. 1 -n irn.uh
{u Mr. \\h*h (nr an it prnhahK v. a nut UiMilh h - n* h.-ru ibllirihl
fur lum tu a ninn un uhnquuti* muti\»M t»t!n'r tlr.in tlo- MUr nt*u th«^ ;
.suhjn-t uf uiir runnihrrat iulU fur till- imhlit utiMn, ut thu lunrt J,*. i.) !
n frii'iih uf tlm l»ank. rankin*j: ul h*a I urunh uiaun** thr 1 .m.*;,m* »if
itm party hv '' wliirh it wun su* talmnl, uf a nnw ami i.u,. -h ,-.hta*n
of u Sprrt’h tin* mutrrinl point , uf uhirh. a ha hr u iiuun, run
si tfh, 1st i>r U hriumriatinn uf nullltirut inn auh oulhfim an 1 ah mi
ruiuia%(it' aoruunt. uf ihr .simta^ sful i lfurt , h. ha. j. <.0 jnh tlr*
()i’afui\ (u Mipprr.ss tlmm. anh iMlvnuf an i-lahniaU- «^\pM n -m «.f th^
impurtnnrr uf (hr prutri’tivr sy-hrin anh thr hannri thn imuia* ••?! ^
it, with nn thutpicmt. invurutiun tu thu pruplr uf Prun Miania. t )hm j
nnii Xi'W York, whu hah hruinyht it into v\\ tmir,-, u* ♦!. f.-nh th»- |
‘ Viu. 'tri, i», it}7. ■' \ j i;. '
AiTTOBKKlUAlMl V <M*’ M ARTI N VAX BUIIKX.
()V)7
Avork (>r ilioir liaiuls. To tin* lirst hraiidi oT (his siudicd addrc'ss il,
could iiol Ikm)!) jcctc'd (hal il ^vas no( holli jnsl and (ruts hul (he lla^*
of null ideal ion was slnick, I he raust* anti ils ehaiupioiis, j)olitica]Iy
speaking, Averi^ ruiiUHl. Why daiil lha( lialile o\a‘r again - r/// hano
hy (he revival (jf tiie suhj(‘e( ( Especially would such a cotii’se appear
inexp(‘dieni. on (he. pari of any suppor(i*r o(‘ llu‘ hank. 'Flu* niilli-
fiers and tlu‘ir ahk' leath'rs wiua*, a( haisl IViiuids of (hal insti-
tution, many from (Toice aTul all from hatretl to Iha'siih'ut dat‘kson,
the arcli foe of nullidcalion. ^Flu' lirst. rt^)()r( of Mr. Wehslers
spe(‘(‘h had said tmough on tla» subject and in (lu* (uuuu’ars I’aN'oi* (o
satisfy his warmest admirers, hut i‘\en that was inatei*ia!Iy enlargcal
ill the reviseil product ion, noiwithslanding tlii' (vKtent (o which orig-
inal didVrimces lu‘(w(*i‘n (he polilical frieinls n‘spe(‘( i\'(d y of (lie
President and (In'. t)rator had im*r(*ased in \‘ioleiua‘ sima* the appeal'-
auei‘. of (lus lirst puldicalioiu \\*hilst (‘Vi*ry(hing contaimal in (he
lat.tei* was retaimal in tlu' former, iiH’hnling (lu* i*arn(*s( praytu* for
(h(‘ success of llu^ atiminist ral ion, (lu‘ following (uiliiA' ^:(*utence
(whit’h wt'. cannot suppt>:-i‘ would have htam omllled hy the st.e-
nograjduu’ if it had htam : pid<cu a( Pilishurgh) was puhlislu'd in (he
Boston e<lit,iou :
Wlill(‘ 1 Jiin wiimi.a a..; nlhiMv: in .'nliiii( lliul Ihc luis, on olhcr o<M’a**
hIoum, rciulcrcd iiiinortaal sorviocs Uj tho r«»unlry, and cspcciidly on tlijd uccn”
Hion w'Idch lias tjvon him so mm-h ndlihiry rmown, 1 yoi (hhd\ (he aldIKy and
ihadsinn with whh'li he reslstt'd ihe disnraanl/lnr; dortrinen id’ ludllheallon «M*e
al<* a ehiim Ilian whh*h ho has nono hh-lior lo (In* 'a'alUude td’ (la* (.otndi’y and
(la* rospool ol’ jiosloi’Uy.
Assuming that il was. at that tiini* Mis Whdister's expmdat ion to re-
main with the. party which had then already entered on a nmv cam-
jiaign, il(‘signed to he (da* of atd ivi* and unremil ( ing lio:- 1 ilil ii*s, againsl.
an ailminisi ration for tin* prospt*ri(y and linal ^dlc(*(^‘:r; <d’ whii'li lu\
after an in((‘rval 5 repeatial sti fena‘id a prayer and on who.se (1ii(‘f In*
thus r(*in*wed and a(‘(*ninulatcd {‘nctduiimrs willnuit being calk'd (o
ladiirn to the :aihjt*(’i hy any puhlie coindderat ions of which the pul)
lie were iuhrnnetl, wt* aiH* nhligi‘d (o ackno\vli‘dg(‘ a disjilay of )>oliti
cal magnanimity on his part, a . coiumendahlc as it w'as rare*, at an era
of unsurpassed partisan vicdi'iict*. In refcreiici*, also, to Mr. \\kh
sl(*r\s own .s(*r\ iei*- tin* revi.-cd iMhtion mafei'ially amplitiml Mn* n*por(
of tlu* st enographer. By tin* latter tin* Spealc(*r was madt* to say (hal
In* ga\(* (o (In* Pr(‘sidL*n( ; mea-'dire-. “not a tann* and lu'sit.at ing hiii.
a cordial and eirn*ien( stippoid in (he former the reviser thought it,
expedient to add tin- following:
T( is Irifo, dnnldloN (hni II’ inystdi’ nrul olhors had .siiriadidorod onrs«dvi*s lo a
spirit «d' iipposithdi w<* tniald Inoo oinharrassiul and proliahly ilolValed iln*
nudismu* of iho mlndnislrnllon, Uui in r-o wi* simuUl, in my opiidtui, Imve
heen falsi* lo our t»vvn oluiraoiors, fnls«* hi our ilnly and ftilsi* |o onr (’ouniry.
AM Hlih ‘ A \ H 1.- I'i ti:it ' Al. V: ^ lA !*?♦ > "• .
G<I8
( 'nnsiilt*rintiC th“ upruly »*f 1 !»» uulliiit’.tuini
ului r;iV(»rul»k‘ l<> (lit* ol t!i<‘ I'ui'i'i* bill, hu«i !»•!{ tlu* ^ Ijaiiibi'j*
oil. {h(‘ iiiuiil wlirii it \va > (»r<h*{A*tl t*> 1>‘* nuno r^l, mu lo^ouut, a hr
siihs(‘(|in‘iiUy .-aid, (if llu* itiijuin* aft* nf it . atruo phop-, and In b-ohlr.
licaUli, and iiuil iifithor N|Hdvru U>y it- pa- ai.'i* iii»r ta-midt-d id-- u:iua»
ill its I'axoroh (lit* la.-l f«‘adin£‘; t f tla* i*dl, aitd tliat Ijr* v.a,. far only
Siaiator ra\oraiili‘ to ilu* tiaaisurr id’ m hom that rtadd hr . aid, i : it.
ijo(. dilliriilf Id iiiiatrinr thal ulul t \*y thr S|»rrrh a: lir I rrportrd
siM'Uijdial irallv I’lrariair hia oun .-Lirt . uf thr iiu|*ut at aai uf rouirut •
iiir; him..rir \Ni(h ^’ivini? in tla* 1 'rr- idiMit , in a yjrat rri a ., *';t taiur
and lu'sitat init!!.* Mipjanl," or a.Uidu Mhru moulli • aflrru aid I'H-irir
ina' in hisrio.rl thr-r iu\rrti\r*i a,*,*'aiirt tin*** u ho had lonnd thrm
M’hrs rapahir of arfinp; ddVrrrut!y fr* an hiurrlf, it i r o .auaa-d
(o Mr. \\’rl»;.lt*r thal Mr, i'layV mriuira votuld mv and In* !V;rnd :
apprrhrud that hi' \s:\. tiir prraon aiiuril at h\ tlir r \ntual and
\ iolriil drniinriai ioii.s i
Ihit thr rrs isrd Sprrrh I'outulnrd uuotlirr UiPS ouf^ nrr rdiadi
Would srrin Id lia\r a ;,liil niorr '..iiniihr’anl hi-arutp upon fh:. poiut.
W'r ha\4‘ airradv : poKrii id thr hraji hurunuA flial !rtd h>'*'ti ^ tn rd
by Ihr tdTorl, so t ransparnit in tin* pr» H-rt'diuu ; of th*' n.r« fo«i» .d
i’'aurnil llalL Id rrpii' ml tirn. .lari, on a liawr-* ,iur? -on .1 | . d.t ,d
prinr*i]ilr, . dirrr{l\ in nppo ition ff» fho .r hr rir-i i hrd lu r.tit<, h|r,
and of I hr roir rqurnt di at i fart uui id’ inam id h: . i i n iid ; r \hd'M« d
in (hrir hrariii;C (ouard’- Mr. \\ ri» trr. No attmipf to raphtoj that
(dlorl away m* to hluuf thr forri' td' it . irr* U i . ftiund in fir* ;
at Plft’hiiryh a : rrportrd, hut in tin* rr\ i i-d rddm thi : i lio «-u
apprtir. to hi- : tlpplird i‘\ thr fMliouin*„»f srntrnrr. \\ h»*U •■ »»»amrnd
iny tlir 1 ’rorl.iinat loll tin* t)ratni* ‘r, inuilr to .ay:
*' I Uouh! not hr liudrr’.tood h* sprilK of [lUI'fn nhir ► 1 in r. and
phra r, in tlii* I h’orlaiiiat ion '* (whirii urri* : priutiralh , !
in tin* h'annut Hall rrrohit ioir/) hut i(> prrul uinl Iradn y
Irihr d' uhirh had nowhi'rr Imru ralird in <|ur tioii hy l h.r !*<» i
firnt*:: anti nidlifyiiqi; frirntls*,
i raiuiot. hrr how unv otUrr I'onst rtlrt ion mu hr plarrd upon fhr
introdurlion of this ohsiunation than that it minrrd a d* '.r»’ to
ronrlliatr thr !*rrsidrn1 and his frirnd s as rrvprrtrd thr Sptakrr,
or ratlirr thr /'vv/r /\ hy dissociating the laltrr from tin* nmn-rrja d«!r
tmmr of the n*solntions of thr Kunmil llalt inert Iny'.
Ihit fill* ino:.t lahorrd rmhaivor {>f Mr. Wriefrr, in t!o nrDrmmd,
was (o atnidify and iutprovi^ Ills diMjuiition rrmirdiny t hi* pjoirr
(ivt^ systrm its iinpoiiunrr and tin* urn-. \i% tq' rilort , h.r if
prrsrrvutioin If the rtaisons for (hr rr\i ion of thr prrrh undrr thr
rinMUustnnci'S whtc inronri'ivahlr those for an rlaimrate lindirathm
uiul advoeatiou of the protiadive system at (hat partirular moinrnt,
AUTOBIOGRAPHY OP MARTIN VAN BUREN.
699
excei^t upon the hypothesis of a desire to supplant Mr. Clay in the
confidence and favor of the protectionists, Avere even more so. The
nature and extent of the protection to be given to the domestic in-
dustry of the Country had been settled by a laiv just enacted, which
was, by its terms, to remain in force for a long series of ^^ears. In
his speech on its passage Mr. Webster had raised an issue for the
public, asserting in as open a manner as he thought eligible and safe
in his then position — ^the affirmative of that issue, to wit: that the
bill abandoned the principle of protection, and insinuating that it
was founded on concessions that the system was unconsitutional and
that it had been sacrificed to the menaces of South Carolina. At no
time, after the adjournment, did he either agitate the subject with
the avowed object of obtaining a repeal of the law or make a distinct
point that the bill which had been passed iuAulved an abadonment
of the protective system, and yet he devoted himself industriously
to the work of magnifying the importance of the system in the esti-
mation of the people, portraying the evils that would befall the
Country if it was abandoned, and directing popular distrust at men
and measures Avhich might be supposed to favor such a result. To
have contended before the people, after its passage, that Mr. Clay’s
bill was such a measure Avould have been received by that gentlemen’s
friends as a direct attack upon him and Avas therefore deemed inex-
‘ pedient; the course adopted was as aa’^cII calculated to weaken Mi‘.
Clay Avith the protectionists and Avas therefore preferred. Would
not his faculties liaA^e been indeed obtuse if Mr. Cla}^ had failed to
see in all Mr. Webster’s movements, since their last parting, the most
satisfactory proof that his objects Avere to unhorse the acknoAvledged
leader of the opposition and to conciliate the good Avill and support
of President Jackson and of as many as possible of his friends in
his own favor for the succession, in the form and to the extent which
after dcA^elopments might shoAV to be practicable and auspicious?
Whatever may be our conclusion as to Mr. Clay’s judgment or dis-
cretion as exhibited in guarding himself against the dangers by Avhich
his political positions were threatened there was never good reason
to question his intelligence or accuracy in penetrating the designs °
of his opponents. Perhaj)s the former object required more habitual
self control than may be ascribed to him, Avhilst for success in the
latter he was amply qualified by the genius with Avhich nature had
liberally endowed him. He, in all probability, apprehended Mr.
Webster’s views before he came to Washington at the meeting of
Congress, and his convictions in regard to them Avere riveted Avithin
two days after Mr. W.’s arrival by the demonstration inade by the
latter on Grundy’s motion, Avdiich aimed a bloAv directly at a material
atiu nf
700 H}>rMi:n \i, v Ju'iArinw
]Kun( ill liis uwii |M> it iuii am! i»\ v.iiit'M, i n. >•. isai pM uinti
ini^’lif- iu* n vrl’t lirow n. lit* 1 i:mI Omim- ah fa.i5 ii • tinil.i »iu at IMi’la
(l(*l|)lii;i to pl'olrct hiuir i'lt, lln' I'aiilt aiai io p.u i \ ti»»in Mr, Wri?
vSti'i’V (‘\pi‘i’ti*t[ tlrffi'l ion ami hr imi wlait hr r.iuhl la-t hiu rrvar.l a*
(lin first. (|t‘\'i'It»pmiait of hi nirthtah 1 trrarhav h‘i*Iiu^*;
plainly niioup-ii inanifnstrti ami \rt. in an iinn ual airi rnaiitahlu
lanii ml I im 1.
I havi* saiil (liaf Mr. <‘lav' n piriun in rrlalinti to titr aim nf
Mr. Wh'hslrr wrut i'urtht'r tirui ni\ «r.. u. f lu uill Ht»i nipn..«* tlir
naiclrr u hrii I inform him liiaf I n‘nt*r av. ihr pn»r»M*hin'* tm Mr.
(irumly'r motion tor fhr po tpourmrul of hnr rUoar uf riauniiltrr ,
moan* rtaul (hr Pitt Imrrh prri‘h, iirM-r kn«*u of thr pain takm hy
Its author to I'm i r ami rrpuhli h h hoiti^ lirfuir t!?,r mtanin;*^ of
('oiirn’r^ s ninl knrw nothin^' of hat ! am tiou rn.f.l>k h to a>l l to
thrsi’ imliratioii hrannu upon tlir poim mtlh ] :u dov, n to prrparr
what I (litiiu.'hl it proptn' t«i ay of thr runiia atinn om u iM! Mr,
(’lay and in\ rh\ (hr la t tnm* I avi him, m o pr* t to Mr. \\ rh trr.
.My faith in tlir nnaltrraldr inrrrit v af t irn J n-k otf filrud !op
had hrru ;m forliliml h^\ pa t i*\pri!rm r that 1 v.a uo{ ar, ihh*
to .Mirpinitin (It* apprrhrn ion on tliat p-nut. I i rrt,wn i.a d at t''»r anir
tiint‘ lidly (hr r\tfnt to whirh I ua r\j«o rtl, a . iu autnapat^'d nr
rrssor*. (o tin* a -atiit of iu\ pt)litiral t iirun*- ami loiuni all t h»^ timr
1 <*otd<l spari* from m> pnhlir dniir nthnnaU or* npir»| ui -.matrli
inp»; and thuarlmo’ tlnar mlitLon' araiu t mv ‘dt. ,\. .nuuur, prr
hap, ha.’tily. (Iiat tin* rim* umirr mn rdrjaiion did ma ln«vond
tla* I’ivalrir*.^ hrturrn Mr.* i . (da*. and W'rioirr, thr r\, fiur,- of
wliirh li nil lii'rii iiiil I i|'i< 'll I" all jiui'l • , aU'l hiuiit;'', a 1 tinnj.lif,
liriili-fti'il (he (ii-tiiTal uiraiu f iujmv li'.ui (Uii ijiiail.r I
my cir 111 ! I’urtliiT uifh ii nr almil it, 1 in- lii t {■• nln.-h luv
ulli-iilinn Wit.' iinu l■.•lll,.ll tta Ihf lirliai.- 1.11 Mr. linui.h’ jiMiinn.
lunl t'ri.m ilml I wun Imt. . t.-i. l.y t.-j., ami hIiIi . mji m laib, -.uru-.i ■
ill”; iiilrrr t. iiiln a i/i'UituI rrv irw ul thi- luii'i' iiiir !■ In i \\ l•■•ll tlm ■■
<li' t injiui-.lii‘.! turn at tluif . ritifai prrin.l. 'I'lir jn im iiial iv nil . ..f
tliat !r\it*v\ I Ii,i\r |ila*'i’il lifjiiii* iiiy I'lMiln a .i j'liitinii 111 1(1 tnj'v
ill svliirh they ran linl fail tu takr uii ilitrl'i- I ill n|,(,- .ir;Mi-i- JUn
]inrl itiiitnl (u my tiwii.
W'liil.a. i‘iu>'ai,''iMt (III till , inu'l Ilf my unrk mikh. ail'lii inm,) mal(.-r
fir.Nl l■;^ml' to my kinnvltnl^' uliirli, I faiiiii.t hut iluul., ihiuu murli
li”lil llj.im thr L'riirral .Nlllijrrt. A frirml ■rut m.-, hnitlv aftn it ,
milirurumH*, a tirally liiiiiiul viilumr rislitlr.i iMUuiiii .•.•ir-.- uf {'.m
rrr:v., liy Charlr'i W. Marrli," ' ruula iniu.” ;i "f li.iiiu-l
Wrii.slrr. with Iwirf nulirr nf thr .sa\iii”- ami nf .-(..r.il
lummi' his rmitrmin>riu-ir -i niul rnarii.r, in il„. i.rin. fj.ai , . if .
' Xi-W ISMi, II I, i..li„i.,uir y.
ohir iifa»rrt*i* ]tr«
t
V,
YUI
AITTOBTOarvAP:! l Y OI<' MAIITIN YAN* IVITBKN.
<]os(M'il)iHl by the niithor. l\lv. M‘an‘U is a uativc of New llannishirc,
(ill which state W'ebsiiM* was also horn) and :i yoiinn* <>vni hninin,
1 am told, not only hi^iily (‘sIiumiuhI liy Mr. \V. I)u(- one in whom
ih(‘ hdlt‘r reposed a. marked eonlid(‘nee and with whom he enltivaied
a det»:r(‘e of intima(‘y not usual between ii:entl(‘men of so ^’riati. dis-
parity in yi'ars. It has so happmuMi that. 1 havl^ iK'vm’ nnuh* Mr.
iMareir.s :ie(|uain(ane(‘ hut; from niy knowli‘d<j!;('. of (lie hi^*h (haraider
of eldtM’ hraiu'lies of his familVj, 1 am fully jin^pared to lind him
well woiiliy <d‘ tlu' n*<rard and (‘onlidiuna'. Ix'slowed upon him by
one of the most, if not the. most dist iuj^'nished man liis nativi'. s(a.l.ei
lias piaalueiMh Ills book was publislu'd in b^ol, at ti nionient. when
Mr. Webslt'r's own mind and the minds of his jiartiiMilar admirers
weri'. turiUMh in one of their pm-iodical and always unsuecaNssfid
(‘iForts to raises him to (hi' Presideney, to (he Hum approaehin^* Presi-
dential (di'i'iion. Asbi‘foi‘(‘ inlimatial whilst I was ai^i.iialiy (miployi'd
in the pri'paratiou of these pa^Vs om\ of my sous approaelu'd me
with Mr. Marelds work in his hand and (c.ilhMl my attention tO' an
imputation wbieh the author assuini's (hat Mr. ('alhoun east, upon
me in his speech on the l^'orce. bill. Ibniira; allon’i'ibt'r fnr.n'ot tiui
(hat. the. book was in my po.>;i‘s.r;ion I aidvcd my son how be. canii' by
it and was told that he liad accidimtally laid bis band on i( wliih'.
scarcliin^i!: ihi‘ library :du‘l\i“*: fm* another volume, and opeuin/jf it
the passage relVrred to eau/dd his eye. l>eiter aequaiuted with the
(‘Vents of that day than (h<* author 1 found no dillleully in satisfy-
ing' my son that Mr. March Inul mi:-({dvt*n Mr. Palhomrs intention,
which wa.Mo apply I lie observat ion atlrlbiiti'd to blm to Major hkiton
inst(*ad of to myself: bid struck Iw tlu‘ elev(‘rness and 1 oinnid to add
tlu\ to nil', iine.xpt'cted r:iirn(‘ss in many respects of a work which
I could only ha\e eareh'ssly irlaneed at, if at all, wlu'ii it was nv-
(’eiveih 1 read the wholi' of it ineludin;[ij, to my very erea.t surpristq
the followimr passafres:
Speakiny^ of the years .11 (pa;:i;e paO), tlu* authoi’ says:
A ronuniuill^ ni’M-miinaiU him! at'lleii, In lids reiirrid fTtsls nj’ nur nalhuml
]ii’4nr^, Urnuj’.ld (tiMi. aiitl Mr. Wt*bsi»*r lain strii’li'r inlSinju’y, snelnl
mnl nnIHicsl, (hail had prevlnirdy i‘v<*r .*aihslsled luSwisai them. Soiia* nl' thr
(haa*)*ars Irlmdi Impad, .ami men* leanal, a eleser elliclal rela 1 ieiisidp. hi
.Ma\ eT (hi.s .Mr. W'ehsler je\irm\vi*«l West : rettuadm,-; lit .him* he met Mr,
I. him tell ill New Vdi’K, fiaai prejiarlm^ te ih'parl en hi.? ml.sshm te f''raiiee,
II wa.i nnder-.ptcul al thi.s tina* in prhfde ami I’enlhlenjial elrejes, that, hefeia*
haoinr Wa-.ldne(“n. Mr. l,i\ Inivann iiad had rriMpnait and i-aiaiesi eon\'t*r.'^-atlen.s
wdh (!eu, Jaele'Ui In n latien {»» Mr. Wc‘hs!ei*'.s pnsllhai; and (lud la* iia<l ui7U‘d
npdU him (he ah .ehm* Ueressily td’ seeiiriii;': Mr. Wehtiler’s eentliuied supp»»rl el’
hi admiid 4 rat h'li 'I n hi .uaae.st inns (h-n. .Im lvajii r*aV(* a faveiadde lair and
aeipd**: t’etiee ; and atdla*r!:a*d .Mr, hlviiir.slnn te a|)preaeh Mr. WiOisler upt»ii Ihe
: nhjet*i, 'ria’.se i'njiver- a(i»»n''. .ami their re.snlt Mr. hivln^steii. in Id.s lidervh'w
'.vith Ithii in Neu VnrU, eeiiinninjeali'd te Mr. W’ehster. 'I'lial a siad In the
I'ahiuet was at the saim* lime prepe^a‘d te *Mr, Welisler, en the jairt ef thi*
702
AMKKirw nr-
lATltJX,
I *n'siilpii( , iIh' - .is si' t.:* *<! i i
li\ St»Ul»* Mi !*'{■ liM..:-!- ' t|5*-! tf .
ilbh* to lui’iitifu: :i I is- ? !!' . n i • ■:
JjIfU "t'. li|-Mj|- ‘if Mr, Wflr.h'!’ ;; I. '
in (he Sirfr . .nu! .• u«--i n- i {,,
{ifpsotiall.v nl» jt't’i imialili* i*> lihii. 'I'hi ^lr.
to plnrt* liiin-Ml)' uni|t*r ;i!i\ itliii n^Mi , n- t
ilir iVi’t'iluiu nl’ In-; a‘‘(tMn, citfir-r i:- u? J'm*. i
■:*,!> ,-n
. rih.U-
• M* i‘, pv,
"i' ;ni\
a* ’in*’
.i. .-n
■ ri'.-r
l!*S !:.
n 5 ‘-
t •t\) .
UJ '
r.iiHA
V n h M r. 1 ,i <i uxt* t » fin at
f “f. !i, !'m:u?u
if-r ri-inM f- }''-,•
f n I 1 i s ^ r f I i f . I « 'd ,
M M a 1 'MU to n , ^ ^
f ( * .rut at.' Is-i his
nppriM'into iln* uoiiOh It* ul.{h-!i j!ii J.iaainait, ‘oiu-hm fiM'n
rn a .t>iirr»\ i t‘Utitln .1 ’m h.rui’u;^ in opinion np.nj ili,^
Ju'-lirn (}| Mr. (‘lav"- ii pifittu , t!jo rfr,ui>-i h.i tusK f*i imU h, ntiml
Ihnt tlu'M* Mixiiiv nshl ti.sinn at Whi ’ :tro *!»* ariOnt a
iriir iM’fiirtvtl hnrtly ht-f-nv aiul lininr/ Mr. Wt- n-m fsiur,
in I ho prtJMi'a . n{ V. Ili»-h h.r sn-MUnrO lUr Mr!'| J.U h **!n a ar h;nt*
M‘nin ilh rliffiiiMal palm. ft*r h? f.nir * in im pr.-r in nnl i rl'u at inm
:nn! (Mltn-**.! np t'h.t|i;rin praun- . h.rra*- pr^' ri t ii'-Mn of ih-ia-ralV:
Ijn.llll! an*! 1 1 *{ iiir itta'f- tsf !i. *'ifnr' ’a !’'’!lhr{' ll’il
llin up^piutiinr, if lint appuinna lun-jiitn.
X«*\v nrlv, Itifiiv plai n hon Mr, W •*: trr
lh:i( lauuui aiitj t*nnnnn ; nxpta !in*ia. M
l»ililv n| l!a‘ niiror |V*nn VMiirh tin* t.n»a <
i‘ihm! i . nil tliu a iiniplion. fin* amn'Min
(ha! l( \*.uU hi im! IriM* {«rrit f!i|is-v r n foi
n\s n nano*, la a :.’t‘nl h n lan tan'l?!'* in t
\\ t‘ii- ici’ M>‘rnp!iM \i\ Mr. Mai'-h, o/i
1 “ Oto In pt't ‘1 n.n ainl rtn i al nf Uir
nTlmO (In* ans'iirar^ nf ihr fa»'t
tHily ha\(‘ »'»inn* irt»rn him s*if.
I hr ijin* finu lotu tar Mr, | 4 »n ua . v* arj'ant *»♦! m ihr tfosl’i-
I’afitin hr i., h<*rt^ mpir . air-l {*» iiau- maO* ft» M?* \\ h-l ■ i n, i tn
uhat lirn, shn*h itn \\a; 0 ** inm . .sr mulini *! a, , 1 , f-r Mr. W .
P‘»ii(ii*ai athanrtMUMnp .a tn mail hi m r i*r ihat -rnthananX
. -rutv- ,ilr rr\o anihuli piv rut i\ r.M-riu* full i^n nir*? ii usu, “1 hrrr
i>: im rra nil m nppn that Mr. tm- i*ri ant thaifn . s,f thrir
aiithrnhrit\ ainl hnu hn !n‘ \.a him * If uilhm* t“ um ;n
rnratinrMln* frirmOy Oi pn itiuim afinhtitrs! t». fin- Ihr ni**iit npun
Mr LiMm- IniiV ami Mr. MatvliM anfhn,iy^^ u*^ ha^** tinir.MnivO
h> Whiirmy; Imutarr. fnr thr piv.nf. fin* rou ishianoa tsf
(hr arriirary tif thr latriiirnt in all ntlnn* in pr^rf tin iv 1 . .,nr pivr
imni rri!r*'tinu tliat t-an hanlly fall tt* piv .rnf n t^lf at (s, thr
mnnl nf lay rrailrr. As-aimin- lliat it pnnmpal rom.*uf . r.rrr
arnvrtl Imiu Mr. WrhrMrr, rithrr liirvody t,r imliivs th, ju thv p,
Mp Matvln ulm vrt>. (hrm forlli m* runiUmih^ vr^nur lUui ur
Mmilhl AVas ilnuhttr Un- fart. :unl otamh}rrin- thrir
MS. VI. n. I.v,.
" :u th- Irf.-tUM; f.
:» O i 1 m \ ; U; *■ .. ^rs -“I p j
I * a n i ai' a.1 I*
'*f hath. r l r r 1 1 of r
v:n.l Mr,
s ! a run
Ih. h -muM
AUTOBIOGHAPHY OF MABTIK VAlY BTJREK.
703
import in connection "with the steps taken by Mi‘. Webster, after
lie returned from his Western trip, in respect to his Pittsburgh
speech, and his overture to Mr. Grundy, there cannot remain a doubt,
I should thinlv, on the part of any intelligent person that Mr. Clay’s
suspicions as to the condition and employment of Mr. Webster’s
mind at that period were in the main correct, whatever may have
been the specific ends he aimed at or whatever the degree of ma-
turitj^ at which his plans may have arrived.
Mr. March, as well as Mr. Webster, if we assume that he was
cognisant of the statements put forth by Mr. M. were obviously not
a little embarrassed by the incongruity of the friendly relations
which are alleged to have existed between Mr. W. and President
Jackson, at the time referred to, with the fact that, onl}^ a few
months thereafter, the former was found closely allied with Messrs.
Clay and Calhoun in the most violent efforts to obstruct the Gcn-
eral’s administration and to degrade him as a public man by per-
suading the Country that he had played the part of a tyrant and
usurper of powers not conferred on him by the Constitution whicli
he had sworn to ‘‘ preserve, protect and defend.” It could not have
escaped such shrewd minds that the transition fro]ii the alleged,
cordial alliance to the indisputable bitter assault was so- sudden that
men would either discredit the report of the former or condemn Mr.
Webster for his share in the latter. Accordingly an apology for
the great and rapid change in Mr. W’s opinions of and dispositions
towards the President is sought in that fertile theme of partisan
agitation — the removal of the Government deposits from the vaults
of the bank of the United States to those of the State banks; but
unfortunately for tHe writer, as well as for the suV)ject of his defence,
that excuse is wholly demolished by the irresistible logic of dates.
The reuiovul ot the Government deposits [says jMr. March] however Justi-
tiable on the g-round of expediency or even necessity was a measure of sucli
forniidahle energy as to confound some of the General’s Ioiig(‘.sl; tried and not
most timid supporters. It encountered Mr. AVebster’s opposition and even
denunciation. And this honest difference of opinion in regard to a matt(‘r
of temporary importance, prevented the union of the two master spirits of the
age and blasted the i)atriotie hoi')es of the Country.
The unsatisfactory character of this explanation must ho admit-
ted when it is considered that Mr. Webster’s high wrought enco-
miums upon the General’s conduct and earnest j)rayers for his suc-
cess and gloi-y in the administration of the Government, revised and
enlarged by the author in a second edition, were, without the occur-
rence of any circumstance making such a course necessary to his
own Aundication but of his mere motion, scattered broad-cast through
the Country not only months after the deposits had been ordered
to be thus removed but after that act of the President and the dis-
704 AMKKIt'AN llISTlillirAl, AS-ii ii 1 A fit i,\ .
missal <»r Air. Duanr li;ul hmi maa^ liu- .uiMoi ..f }i:iii! an rlmuur
uml (lonunriafinii on thr pan of Mr. Woh tmV polnirai a nrmm,,
and ihal the attrnq^tvsl inlripau* tlin^ Mr. (itnn.l> xmi n-t nnhav.l
npnn nnlil aHrr tlm-r a>^uni.^tr^ aiut l!io irirud ■ of i^auk laol
assrmhlrd u( \\dndunpdoiu at tlm nommrnrnurul i>r thr o nni. (ut
thfir katti-nr . npou thr Piv idrut i^r tUr u-rv - nu-a
iiri* (d' lormidaldr riifriiy dr friknik
or ilin rornvtiU‘NS »d' Mr. Maivli' . Oaimurut of uhat Mr, LiMut^
slon said and tlioii.rht I knou I ran rourrlvr td^ no udr
(|Un(r nmtivr in Mr. Wrh h*r at lhal tina* !*» mi rvpn-«rnt iUr mattrr
to his r<adidi-ntial tVimd , and Mr. MarMi v.a rrrt.uuly frrr from
any indiirrnand mm to r\anm rair it further than lUr dr- iiv nut
nral In an ardml yonnrr man to }daro thr taudatr td lu inm»l
I hr hi*dir:d ni-oniid. Ihit that fhrrr r\i trd on thr pal ! of
lujlh and of Mr, I a\ in-: toil a! o. If hr madr thr rr|nr Mjna!}oi|.
at(rihn((‘d to him, thr j*ro r \ «lrlu !*m np‘.ti prltmpal judnt i.
V{*ry {a*r(a!n. (Jm. dark nh . h-rhnn i<nKird Mr. Id^ inn ton ^^rrr
(ho saint' a-* my tium mutiny a Kr-mr ai.d ti‘mr p* i omd
n*a’artl a tlispor/ittiju to tin all in t»nr ptr/ t-r tt* atk.anrr In intrrr t^
and t<i prtnnoh* Ui'^ tH\n liappinr uisi vrltait* and tho i* uf lii;,
rainiH'. ddir‘<r dn po ilion Uri**- nr . t-r rith-i rd 1u lad td rtl'-rl hr •
ran t* oi ^vhal r rr*»;tt'dril a pt»! jLt :n at ion on h^ p.ut. Wr
kiHov from thr laadnnin:* that hr tiill tvd ir«<m m: tui .-vrr. li uf thr
important i:- tu*’ ot thr <lav, nrl* a ihr hunk, infuimd rrpio\r
minds, hut wr umrr prnaitt»d : urh fhlh-rrurt- p' ull.Ai t»ur
jirrstinal tVrlinjr* toward Inm. Wr wrrr wadi awarr thal sir uui
morr at Ids tat r in t:dlv»n*t and imt nufrrqnrid 1} in umim- upon
puhlii' tpirslionA in l!u' rompun\ id Mr, Wrh trr and Mr. Ir. hilr
than with n s hnt wt* midd athn*! |o mdtdnr him and flnl u, l.nuu
in‘j:lv, in that at »», d'h'* :!iru|yt!i and ta*u tun*'\ nf f.^t pap,
<m my partmm Wrll a- ihr r\irnt lo whlrli lhr\ wrrr ronuisUu- if rd
to my family^ may hi' inrrrit‘d P'orn ihr fart that u iftursf*' insind
son of minr, imw twrlvr \vnv old, hrar - Idi : nainr, w!d‘-h w * ni'^ru
to liiin wdth my hrariy apjnar.al. ’Hu- thmn.d r.pptnt nuU u- !*a*
msrrrtniuiu^ thr tnru tirr of Mr. IdWius ton adaptation lu thr dif
fmad hi’iiui'hr ; of thr [inhtir sriwirr Imd h. n fnlh-r than mv own,
and fnllt*s(y prrhap*^'. wlirii thr latlrr ha I hrm a io anh'i' of !dr:
military family at a liiHirult- and hitdily ri- puiv ih! • pm h-d m hi
li fr. ddir I’r-adl had hnm n rtnivi^iioii that Mj\ Id, in*. p»ii^ fur
ri'a^ons wUirh, so fur from lr*-ridn‘,p iurnn i d Id rrrud r»*r him
ns a mmp was illy (pmlilird for tin* prrformam- of rsrr],\\%r ds.ia* .
llrnrr his r(»:dstanrr to my rt-rommi’nihif ion rd’ ,Mr, I,, f'lr fh»* p** t
of StH'ndnry of St atm on iny own risi^ord’un, airi rrlatais'r
witli wliieli hr liunlly yirldrd that point to my lanii* t -iafi* n .
AnToiuouKAniA: of MAUTiiV VAN" lumKisr.
705
I need not- suy Iiow forcibly luul, 1 may add, i)aiut‘idly I was re-
minded of that relucian(‘e, and of the ivasons that Avere, assigned for
it, on lindino' (ien. Jackson, on luy i’(‘tiu*n from England, opposed
by the leading- members of his Cabinet, on the vital (piestion of his
adminisir-aiitm that, of tlu‘ bank— with Mr. Livin^'ston at their
luaid, That lu‘ had found no j'eason, after I Ud’t the (\)imtry, to
clmn^e the opinions exiu’essed to me on tlu‘. occasion r(dVj*r('.d to will
be Siam by his letter addressed to me at London, of (he day of
— — — tSb— h in which the same views are repeated tuul in which
I am ur^ed to return and to resume the place in his CahiiH't. which
1 had n'si^ned. '.riiose who understood the (ienerars character
would JhnI i(. dillicult Ia) believe thal, how ^reat. soever his res])e.c.t
for him, Mr. Livlno:ston was the man by whose counsels he would
have Ikhmi a(- all likely to be influenced in a. matter which had al-
ready (‘ost him so much trouble as that of the constitution of his
Cabinet.
Mr. Livin^sh)!) h(‘li(W(Ml all he reportial (o Mr. W(‘bst(>j%
whal(M’cr tha(. may hav(‘ l)t‘('n, ihcr(» is no reason for doubt. ; hul ht^
was, from ihi' st.aU^ of his owi\ ftadinn's, in dan^vi* <d’ misiuK'rpi’el iu.ii;
whal I In* ( h'lK’ral said or (d’ tn'tu’Iookiun* ils inimnhal limitalion. lie
was for many r(*asons vinw pariial to Mr. ^Vcl)s(cr. ddn* laift'r luid
talum tlu^ lead in snstaiuin*.!: his draft of (he Proclamation^* in rcH|)e(d;
to whi(’h he wns vovy sensitive, more, so ihnn I eould ima/^iiUMh
Mr. \\'(‘l)s(er lead ahuv siipjairted fiis nomination as Minister to France
a,n:ains{ (lu» hil ler opposit ion of Mr. Clay, rei^anliu/L^ whom t lu* prc’jii-
dices of ho(h ran very hi^dn Imhaat tlu‘ harsh <*onrs('. pursuiMl to-
wards Mr. Li\in^*s(on on (hat u<*<‘asiou, in ii<i;aia brin^ino; forward,
after tht^ lapse of so many years, the ehai’;:^e of olllt^ial dtdaleatum
wlum .Vfioniey for (he N(‘W York Di.strict, iind(‘r Mr, Jeffei'son, Inid
so {‘xasptn-aftM! Mr. L. (in <i:t‘nt‘ral a most amiahli* and phu'ahl(‘. man),
as to lay liim open to almost any lawful approaches that promi.sed
to ixraiify his n'senlnamt a,i>fainst Mr. (day, and th<n*(». is sonu*. reason
to apprehend, to elVat^e. also, f<u’ the nonce, all reeolle.ction of the
friendly part- I had aeted towards him, without (Ihh aid of whitdi
he certainly would not. hav(* liccu Secretary of State or prol)ah]y
Mini-fcr h'ramM* • th(‘n» haviu/i: laani a. ))r(df.y dire(*t <’onnec(ion
hetwetm llu‘ po.^se:. ion of the oia^ jjhna* autl iht' heslownnmt of the
other. I iuhmI not -ay that Mr. W(‘hs({‘c had also jL»:nid^,^es uf^uinst
Kn»<\v Ah’. lavnij-sami i’i to nltrontl. atul I iu« an nnxloua n^'inln to
a»vi' \mu u* ur tM»-, nii'I It na«o,i un' to ia*atlfy loitli. I tliul on many
I ujuit .%our lUa A riitnu'n 1 1 ki\o to lalmni* hartl. rnnl oouHtantly wnUaifiiU
lutf! I In iti** Stutr I >»*juu’On«‘nf amt Uatim In tlo* War, with Ilia (itln'rH, flllial nH
Uo v nro. It WMtjhI ho tiu*' of f|io hfrnnK*'*^t iool hat»i>ioHl atlmlnlHlrallonH Uuit nmld bo
forffH-a."' Jnok^ou to Van Ihiroia Ht'iM*nihrr IT. l.s.'U, Van Ourim riiparw,
Jai’k®a»n'»4 NiilUfloiiUon erorlnmntlon.
Il’Tlsa via.li 'Jtl ir,
AM KllU' \\ HI- f ! *i:lt u. \
] \ m
Mr. ('lav wiiirh !u* Irrl u iuH‘r»‘4 aij.i ■ir.-r .»•? » 4 u;;hi\ vi-urs,
wliii-li wtMlltl iu'ar ahti Ui i-i.* : r.J i in in :*■ hrlp
Mr. I /n iitfi’.- toll's prf j\j«li»'r aratu f Mv. ( I t v .it thr p"Uit \Uiirh
dll' Iat(<*r had him i‘l f iiillamt*.! t::-v ■.^h, .-nv
somrwhal \M*athrr lu*at«at jMilidriati v, :im, \^iA\ ii iu- l^-vn
dirir (‘tit liii ia III at carlit'r lar»' in ‘-arrm- , v.-ra im i«'»ir(*r
swayrd hy that ardrnt iir\uti'ai f»» p:»rt:a?d.ir p*dH!»-d t -ih-t .a" that
ahM»ri>iuy’; au\ii‘t\ iMr llimr ui «’r ra n aiid
manv tna'ii older than difm rh-- ., t m-u. ^he I <e;, ],x m 1 dhi tra
(inn, emild not : hake uil‘ at uiil, hul pr.-f.-n*- I iu .tu ipual dr»qre,
(h«' Mljnyintmi td' [iiihlie tition . \*aij*rd, a. far a. pr.ei ia.ihh\
from (he
eai'i* and aeniiee . oft
efi :ii t-palahle
freno
a pa
m t d !on *
ili.'(‘han.re
• o 1 i lit' dnt ie at t aehed t «
1 1 hr’Ui, M r. t a
a \
>ej V :
i , tnii!i-r
( he- (’ eirt*
nnr ( aiiee md a hit h* t »
In ifon . f-‘ r ; tk«
‘ h: f:
:u!:dl
Top. .It,
for in th
at lieht Mr. Mareh p»
•a!, of h. e<e
.■mme:
» Hue
to Mr,
nh'h. ter.
oi (lie d 1 po if O III ef-l*
*1 f a , lie- i o (If
■n. J
h o!t
f-i w ird
(In* latter
a:-, fa \ ora hie a hr \ uv
i of tiro faef
w-ed 1
. in I'i
Ih. dlte
(htnp’er o
r exapoj.i-o iiijr t.p lui . (
* IIS f tan lo* tie r-
t. a. ■
, m !
e* Uiail
tlep;re(‘, inerea* ed h\ (he ( hauaatr
h. dm nil wain
.ah id
.-\pri
ei 1 m
; Hell oeea
ion , 1 h* mq er allow e»
i lorn .df 1,,
o-a.i..
lie a;
, . eo n- ;
hy friimd
. or h »(' , a IU 1 e, lu*n he
_ va ph a .■ a ■
fh i
’ ■ s ' e f ♦ d
either he
aid : o u it liout me.e nr
me lii w»a'd
fur ^
fi ar •
1 1 \ he*'
too niiieii
i ’on! ra t inq Mr W’e’
< ! «‘I ’ e. e.u 1
ah i
ho o
\ lalii? ,
from whom lu' had a rirht t*. t-^pr-ri h.a f ‘-r t ho. \ hr w a d^-mair
hiidd\ ‘’raliiied Ip it, |'*<Ur of it a frh jod -K ah plr l lOr
have (akeii any proper tep t., mark to !o*di ffj e »H' d. IhH h.*
tuiam the im luijrelee of neh feelinr and tu h esp!*' eui. ,*f tlum
and an ineliimdon to hrmr Mr. \\ e!» tei^ info !m (‘ iiau f i -r ti,
make him hi - frn ted and eoulideiifial adti er lluie e. r j \ v idr
dilierelu-e. Ainiilit iU‘!i top. tlieie weie, mh !ki pa ? I , ’On'OV in
; nperahle ohjeetion;, [a only (au* nf uideh 1 will hri,^ lehr. Item
.hiek WHO nut H eomplaiuinif man I iie^er Liu-a tin** ^ wt
leu men (‘oiihl Inivi' felt more iu-eiiU than he feh f!:ee\f*aff f*. edtu li
he had, in (he e. timation of many <d' hi he i fiu iui , hi - li made to
iirnore if not to pmin ay a poriiou t,f hi earl;, poh,?.. ,1 -om
iidelity fo whteli he jiri»!ed Idm elf a . he well nue!.! , .,f fh..
hipdi elnirueter of the ^a'hool in whieh he learned d. d hr h i 1 hem
done hy a few p'limailit i<*s in hin Ndtlliileat mn TuukoHjiae. whrh
had dndr .onret* in (he ori^rinul fedmal proeh\it\ ,d it di aft nem
and uhieh Itad mi‘l. witii >ympa(hy from a inolar and pedn/n fdl
: (rimtn'r hiar «m tlu' pari- ol tlie mo f. proioiiu-m n.mih-a ‘d hi t a. a
net and Itad been (U(‘rloukt*d hy him elf thiMuah |. :o.:\a-fc m
re>peei (o ( In^ v.nhstamaM) f ( liat inemorahlr d*<eji-ue nt af;d Id h ihdtvil
Mr'. \a, i* \*M
AUTOBIOGRAPHY OP MARTTH VAK BUREH. 707
^ to matters of form. Nevertheless no ■word of murmur
him. He was satisfied that Mr. Livingston had meant
done for the best and he Avas therefore silent but, with
called to the point b}^ a caution suggested in one of my
London, he was determined, if it could be avoided, to
^^^re from like sources, and being, at the same time, not
the extent to which tlie censures referred to had been
by the fact of Mr. Webster’s supiioib of the Proclama-
-^^position in regard to the latter of the character sxioken
quite confident, have encountered at his hands a rejec-
^ Jorompt and decided.
^pend our time in conjecture and speculations upon a
^^ich received, at the moment, a solution so explicit and
the General himself? A moi’e plausible proposition or
xilly adapted to commit him to such an alliance as Mr.
that he was willing to form could not have been de-
tl\at upon which he was consulted by Mr. Grundy at the
Panic Session. It presented temptations in the im-
effective aid offered to the Administration at a most
lOcT of its fortunes; the proceeding contemplated by it was
of a legislative character Avitli which he had no official
; it Avas to he perfoniied in the regular course of their
l^e members of the Senate, for Avhose acts he was in no
nsihle; it Avoiild, if successful, haA^e essentially crippled
txid influence of tAvo gentlemen, Clay and Calhoun, whom
I txs foremost and ablest among his enemies, and it might,
q^riences, liaA^e superseded the necessity of a new struggle
.Ilk from AAdiich he could, however favorably it might re-
o individual advantage and which at his time of life, and
fv.1 condition Avitli reference to the esteem and respect of
iTTen, he .had strong inducements to avoid if that avoid-
ocl no failure in duty on his part. And how did he dis-
t, proposition on the instant the construction that might
pon his acquiescence, Avith regard to the very point we are
was brouglit to his notice! Let his direction to Mr.
s.'wer the question. His reply to a proposition, the ap-
fiich AYould, perhaps, have been regarded as no more than
o'emcnt of the notion of his willingness to associate him-
e-TT whom and Avhose political principles he had all his life
:>xxlcl only have been more emphatic if the invitation to do
jXLOre distinct and direct.
and circumstantial form in Avhich Mr. March has put
j^j^-^Lputation and the sly manner in which it has been re-
^ jrLore futile pretences, by Mr. Everett, in his preface to
1
708
AMr.ltU’A'^ li I*-'!;’* ’ VK \ »
1 \ ! i
Mi\ s riHi-tnut»* ut\ i'^^r t!i«* liMih-,- I hfiv(»
lK's(t>\\C(l oil till* .‘-Itlijri’i .
Mr. Man’ll':- 1‘tHilv i*. \\ riitrii \uth luu* h aii-l in a lnfl\ aial
a^rrraiilv Mvli*. !lr >ja*alv uitli moir t.iuiH* . t>l Mr. W <*i< tt»rV
tjpponrnts than mi.trUt liaxr Iimiu anv n laijoly ^\v
Mitnl to that arnllriuau ainl ( may a»t»t m «‘\t ra\ aiMut I \ hi uh
iuinM\ I Ir iloi'.r orrat iujii' t ii'i* to l!ir Lit»‘ Mr, l-m \tli aiul in>>rlf
in hi.s a>Mini|»t ion of an uin'ni’V «*u our p.ut ‘ji lua ^ho’iuj^ tin* nipturr
lu‘l\\(‘on (h‘n. nu ainl Mr. i'.tlhouu, Init ! Int^i’ |‘«a-' tnnli-h
h\‘ ilir n’l'iH'ral rhara«it*r nl hr oi lv tlnl uji tliat point, atoi f»n u
Tow olhtas lilvf it. la* ha • Nuitl no laorr than \ir !i» \tv s’lrl!
riMUitlnh ainl in ro {hm-i (o lUt* inattrr uf v-hi* !j I hrr-u Iril iuft)
a t|i: ni?-* itai aho\i\ hr uill prMft;thl\ hu‘ h*nn' moui^h t** h»'i-oiur
roll \ inrr* I of hi I'ri'nr an*l uill thru, I Onul^t n»'t, ! «* irj»i\ fti iln
what hr '’ail fu fnrrn’t it. \\ tth th»’ manner m ulia lt ho
hiin.’rir in rrn'ari! to tny porlMiin.nar i»| i.hr* ki* ir afr ih'! »htlionlt.
ilutil'a of {»rr ;iiliny>: olhoor of {hr >(*n.i!r, at a ri ifa .fi aial fonuy'
jMTinil in (hr hi («»ry of tliat lHnl\, I wouhl fir «|n:rr nnira Miaihlr
nn( to hr niol’r than .* at t lirtl. I’mi" ( im. tlark mm hr n alruti\ !rlf a
rinrrrr aihniration anil hr Oor , o|u»u fhr uh«»lr, fair io i .rr to ( rj.
Ilrntnii NS liirli wa nof oftrn hour In *o‘ntlrniru »•! hi. r.av af think
iur-. 'rtir urakr ( part of lu'- Uoj l, ; iho iahpnirut fo! uirh aii'i r\
I >rr na I rh' (hr v uhh' of t hr , ria Irr- i ru* h a r. I f * v Mr. W rf < t ta f »» t hai,
Jark'onalnlhi ( ‘ahinrt in thr* pa anrofv. hat w a faimh u ls Liinun
aa (hr ** l*'t»rrr hill/Mtf thi* • loii of I :i.
U\lf fur tkr rifrrin i»j‘ Xti*. \\'rt»at'r tl'-. Mr i .tini,.; -.r .■airi'U- autt
tUi* f'l’ii'lal'i who lalUril Uiiu, fhr :r|:ai!r -J : -n h-a ?;.o« !;r'hi4 hnoi ji
|inUrpIrsM }U£<1 nHlatdr ♦'« a I* IH IrU, uu rfijcf Mf rl«|«r**njnia4 fir.arhj .uol »if
.•aifr ill- uH fM if , iMr ..
lainirnanr or\(ra\apaut a thi*. pnnith* itatiwu itnti4‘itr auh, hut
fur (hr ohrrrr po itiou uuh i'ourlusiou of Oihrr pait »h (hr Votrk,
Wouhl ^llHkr thr rt»utihr!u'r of SutrllitfrUt oh rr\rra of fhr r’.rut of
that prrioil in thr pooh .ru r of thr author. A iiaar tittnip »o!;i tiui*
tion of thr rutrnrr U In rri^anl it H- un illn tratiou of th^ ah unt
rxinanr?'. (o whirli warm hrmitni ninl mthuMa tr* vouur i iru arr
lillhlr, in tiiiir*, of hiphi rxrifrmritl, to hr rjin irti hv paifi fii h *'hnn .
\\‘hat wrrr thr farts anil rirruiu* t unri". in \ irw of vhirh thr »"\tni
onliiiury ilrrlnrutitin was ha/ainhalf 'Thr .*lo r of thr y»’ar Is.v/ ha«t
hrrn inahr nuUnnnihlr hy tin* triumph of thr popu!;}.! ran «• in a roii
trst for thr Ih'r -iiltUirV ^^••lrrrly Ir important m it ron oipirnrr.
than any rrrnnlrd in our annals, and quitr im«‘»|uaHrd in an v in thr
pout‘r of thr oppo^-itiou it (‘uronntrrrd and in thr r^triM t‘» vdnrh
llm warm {HU’smml aUVr-tlon of thr jua> r ; of ihr proplr for thrir
IriuhT and raudidatr was inllnriifial in proditrin^^ thr rr?.n!t. That
Iradnrand eandidatr was Andrrw Jarkson, anti array rd a|.hund him
.1
AnTOlUOOr.AlMlV OK MAUTIN' VAN IUHIKN.
709
had Ihhmi found (liosu disliiigniishiMl partisan (‘liirfs, (day, C^albovui
and \\h'l>si{‘r, backial by tlu‘ bank of tlu' rnili'd Statens and aided b^"
tli(‘ii’ nv'^pect i V(‘ frituids and parii(‘s and by all (lie* disc‘oni,(Mit ed aiul
ra(‘tious spirits which could bt' broii^'ht into lht‘ liidd l)y their com-
bined indiumees, Notsaiislled with that abortive si runinie. to prevent
his rt'clectiou a still more furious elfoi’t hud Ikhui made, in theimsuin^*
ytair, to overthrow his adiuinist I’ation by the saine [)arties and fac*,-
tions, undiM* the auspices of the sanuv able l(‘a<lers, and supported by
th(' sanu* |L!;r(‘at nioiiicHl institution, i*(‘n(h'r(*d far mor(‘ iH‘ckless bv ilu‘.
(h'speratc eoiidition to winch it lia<l Ikhui ali*(‘ady bi‘oUi>ht ; \\\\ (dfoi't
in wlbu’li means wert‘ (unployial lh(» cliara<‘ter of whicli W(* arc* (*.011-
sidiM'in^ in tlu^ review from which lliis is a di^'ia^ssion^ and of whicih.
it is snllicicmt to say in this c(mn(‘c(ion that (Ia*y yvt stand tuid it is to
1 h‘ h()p(‘d will for(‘V(‘r stand without a pai‘;dh‘l in thi'. recordcal con-
flicts of parties. No other tuam of that, day, it will now ]k‘ readily and
^’(‘nt'rally eonf(‘ss{'d, or of many ))r(M‘edinn* y(‘ars in our history, wotdd
ha\‘i‘ l)(M*u ahh' (o stand a^’aiiist. thos(‘ conihincd assaults; y(‘l la' not
only siistaiiaa] liimsidf, his admi nisi rat ion and the' cause (d‘ fret',
Uo\ernmrn(, but, sti’oue; in (he dt‘\<»tio!\ of a yraleful people, was
able to strip ( hnse re< j<»nl >( abh* leader.s (d most (lia(. was dan;i;erous in.
Ih(‘ inlliiema' (Ih’V bad so \iyorniisly <‘mploy(‘d lo dt‘.stroy him, to
arraimi tluui* nns(’riipidoiis (Confederate, (he l>aid<, for llu' crinu^s of
which it. had Iumui ^’ullty b(d‘orc tla* (rihnnni of public opinion and,
(hiat its p(jW(‘r, to brin*^!: that biyh laau’hiiij!;* and ihilhmio most, for-
midabh‘ institution totlu' fei't of (he (h)\a‘rnmen( hnmhied and com-
paral iv(*l y imp(»tent .
It. was in vi(*w of thcsi* Idstoi’ical (*vtmts that Mr. Wi'bster's hio^«*
raplM*r, a fits’ rfa(*kson had descimded to his era\ <‘ and hal by infatii-
aictl for l!u* |»roiuoti(»n (d* his frimurs fortunes, would luivt^
pcr.-.uadcti (lu‘. (ouutry that, durin*j^ the session of ( 'on/jfrc’.ss that
in(ei*\t*ned lu‘tween tlu‘s(^ exhibit i<»u.‘i (d’ his unparalleled popularity
and }>ovvm\ the Ibaandtud had betm tlius dt'pmulani on tin' suppoi’t
of um* (jf tluv i* leaders, and that (Uu* (he h‘ast. inihumtial amoiiji; (hem,
and (hat his ailminist rat ion ami hiinsel f wen* only resj‘U{*d from uttun*
jiro .t rat ion and d{‘hn;:emeiit by (be lH‘lp of Daniel ^\h'l>st(*r! And
how n*scm*<D l*y tin* ell'et’ts of a speeeh by that. Senator in favor
(d’ a na*a' lU’e which was called foi* hy tin* whoh* ( ountry, snV(* South
(‘arnbna and a few ptilit ij’ian.s in oilier S(al<* airaiusi which tla'i’t'
wn , no sub.stauiial opposition for tin* adoption of which Mr. Wi*b-
iter'o iuuuetliait* con (i(iu*ut^, alum I lo a man, wa‘i*c clamorous
uhich hr hitu clf cmdd not ha\c oppoM*d without cncouiitcrine; (.In*,
hazard of political dc’IrmUiim apiinsl tlu* tinal passa<^’c cd’ which
hut a siUji^h’ S(*n:itor was found vain /glorious (*nou^h to n'laird his
MS. VI, p. Ifui,
no
AMKIIU^AN' IIISTOIIICVAI. ASSoc ‘I ATION^.
iiaino^ — wliicli, beyoiul all (loubt, ils (‘(liiMi'iK’v Iroin ilu‘ rlmr^
acter and ])(>c‘uliai* (jualiruMilioiis of the ('hii'l I'ah' who was
charged with ils (‘xeculion and which, hni lor (lii' (‘iici'gy i( dcri\'cd
from thal. soiu*C(\ miglil- have reiuaiiu‘d ami, in (he opinion of (,h(‘.
s(roiigt‘s(; minds in the (\)iin(ry, won hi hav(‘ n‘mainc<I a th*a<l h‘(lcr
on tlie shitiite-hook.
In representing Mr, Wehsier as leading (he New hhiglauil Seua-
(orSj on (he occasion of (he pos{poncmcn( <if (Ik* eh‘c(ion of coni-
iniiiees in llu^Sc‘nalc, 1 wish !k>( (o !)(* mKU'r.-il o<k1 a-; altrihuling (heir
adoption of a course', which 1 ‘issmnc io*ha\i* originated with him
({) (h('. exc'rcise. of any pe'rsonal indiK'iu'i' <»\(‘r lla'ic actiem oi*
mainly, to a (h'sirc' on (lu'ir sith' (o aehaiice* his .‘'t’parali* poIi(i(*al
int(*r(‘s(s. ih' iU‘V(*r appe'are'd (o nic to posses:;, in miv coiiNidrrahh^
degree, (ha( kind of coulrol ovi'r (he ad ion of the rej)ri"-ent at i vis
fi’om his parliciilar s<‘c(ion which wt* lia\i* often semi exi'rteal hy
leading jik'Ii in otJun* si'clions of our (\mn(rv, men of much Irss
lo(*al or national distinction, d'liis arose, in part, from a lack in
liim of tlu' (jualith's (o which (hat. .‘■ort of inllin‘m*o is conuiionlv
ac.cordeel, and still more, frtmi (rails luifasorahlc (u its acquisition
in (he (*haract i*r of t lu' Nh‘W hhigland people. 1 am, on the eontrary,
p('rs(iad(‘d that, to obtain (heir a' ' enl ((» oppo;M» Mr. ( lay on tlu'
(Irundy motion, Mr. ^^^‘h.sttu* found it m'ee.i.ary (o .-atisfy tsieh of
tliosi' Senators in ad\a!ii‘(‘ that if their <oerrnling Mr. ('lav in tlu*.
proposition lu'fori' tlu*m,‘in (In* r lU'ce*;*; ; of wliieli (luyv kue\\ the.
IVclings of till* lal(i‘r were* enlisteMl, ^:lltluld e-aurs* a hre*aeh in tlH‘ir
own party uml Itaid tei a indein he’tw iM'n ttu-m and tlu* atlnrudi;,( pni ion
lli(‘ir e)wn peilitieal preJ^;pe*e(^;, as we*ll as (lu* malc'rial inte*ri* t ; of
the‘ir s(‘<*lion of tlu* Cemnlry, woiihl ^.(amI a fair ehamu* t«i h<* im
pi‘e)ve*el hy sne*h a change' in the*ir pai’ty re‘la(iems, A man eif h*;s
tlian Mix \\h*hste‘rs lae-i. and ability wtuild iu»t., I (liink, ha\c experi-
enc(‘el luue'h di(li<*id(y in eloing (his. With few I'Xiu'pt itms tliey xNen*,
Iik(\ himself, iiu*mlu*rs of I hi' old fe'di'ral party, (lu* gi'e'ate*!* portieui
of wliose lives had he'(*n sp<*nl in re*sis(ing the* aelvaite’e* ed' eleiuoeratic
men ami measure's and wlio bail e*m*<mn(e‘i*('<l (lu* elillimiltieM ami
horm*, the' sae’rilie’i's of suc*h an uiielt‘i‘(aking with m> gre*a(e*r re'uard,
in national imlitie's, than the* eU'vation to tlu* Ih-cside*m‘V ed’ rloiui
Q.iiiiu'.y Adams whie'li, from tlu* pt*e*iiliarit ii*s {)r (In* man and from
the cireumsta.m'e*s umler whie*h he was edioscn, hael pi-oven lilth* lii*t-
ter than a Iiarren vii'tory, I (‘an well eone(‘i\(* that the time* huel
(lien arrive'd wlien men of tlu'ir solu'r minds and praetical geujd
sense'. — from the ht'ginning dist.ingnishiiig eliarae(e*ris( ie ; of (hfir
ra(‘e« had heguii, at least, to IVi'I that in addition to result.s see dis
(‘ouraging, they had suUere'd enough in the long ami equally fruit-
less struggleto stem the ciirre'ut. of dae'ksons popularity u ldeh had
Wrolm Tyler, who uloiu* voKmI u«:uln.s(. ih,. •• lUll,'* 1-VU. nsaa.
AtJTOBIOGRAPHY OR MARTIN* VAN* BTJREN. Yll
just caused them a fresh and humiliating defeat to make them de-
spair of the possibility of elevating Mr. Clay to the Presidency, a
consummation, tho’ earnestly desired and zealously labored for, that
would after all, for obvious reasons, never have quite satisfied them, —
to doubt the advantages of a monied institution so deeply and so
desperately involved in party politics and to confess to themselves
the inexpediency of so soon undertaking another partisan campaign
for similar ends, to be supported by means certainly in the first in-
stance greatly injurious to the Country, and with prospects of
attaining those ends in no wfise improved. It would have been in-
deed strange if under such untoward circumstances, (and my repre-
sentation of their condition is by no means exaggerated) they would
not have greatly preferred a union with the victorious old Chief,
founded upon an issue not incom];)atible with the principles they had
always professed and formed for the preservation of the Union — an
object which they well knew to be dear to the hearts of the people.
That Chief could never again be a candidate for the high office vdiicli
he then filled and they might flatter themselves with the expectation
that it would fall to the lot of Mr. Webster, whose elevation to it
would at least gratify their pride, to succeed to the place in his con-
fidence and regard Avhich had long been occupied by one whose
assumed pretensions it was now the first wish of their hearts to
defeat.
But these agreeable aiTangements, if they were projected, Avere
completely frustrated, as has been se(Si, and the materials out of
which they Avere to be constructed Avere restored to the uses to A\^hich
they had been previously and long devoted. The day set ax)art for the
election of the standing committees of the Senate arrived. Mr. Clay
found the Ncay England Senators, Mr. Webster included, by whose
votes he had been defeated on Grundy’s motion, all restored to the
ranks of the party from AA’hich they had perhaps meditated flight,
ready, if not willing, to submit to his leadership as before and as
loyal also to the policy and interests of the bank as if nothing in-
consistent Avith such fidelity had been attempted or purposed. Whilst,
however, the keen encounter on Grundy’s motion Avas apparently
destined to iiass unnoticed and to be forgotten the events and de-
velopments of the summer had left no doubt on Mr. Clay’s mind of
the existence of sinister and, in a j)arty sense, disloyal designs on the
part of Mr. Webster, but why the further prosecution of them had
been abandoned or hoAV frustrated he never kncAV until enlightened
by me, years afterwards, as I have described.
CTIAl^TICK XIA'l.
Tho })rcvnloiK*o of |)iil)ru‘ disorder niul [)rivaie tlistress, r('al or
simulated, has ahvays been treated in Kni;itind as a leti'it imatc^ suir-
jo(‘t of i)art.isau a<!:itation wliieln llu'ri' as lu'rt*, lias I'aindy faihal to
furnish oecasion for inisi'eiiresentat ion and i*.\a.a*i>'erat imi in n^speel
both to their orie'in and extent; but ilu' delibtu'ate and sy.-liMuat i/ial
nnder(.akin<>; by a polilitail party, Ity imams pb’U’ed at its <lisj)osal
by a powerj’id monied institution liavina n t‘onmion inten‘si, to dis-
turb the business eoma'riis of a wlmle country, with the (‘xpress
inirpose- of convei'tina the distress thereby oetaisiomnl into pcjlitieal
ea])ital, was a ])ai’lisan (‘Xperinuuit of (‘X(dusi\‘ely Anu‘ri(’an origin,
'^rhere is reason to hopi' from th(' si‘»*nal re.bulu^ which the indminal
enttuprise ri'ceived fi’om the American ])i*opl{‘ that, as it was nev(»r
belore attein]>ted it will uotbiMlrawn into jinaunlmd anywhtu’ix
"’About to (mtei' upon an unilmfaldn/jf at: tin' same time so out-
j’ai»*(‘ous and so haxardons, it becaum' Mi*, ('lay, its comaMhal leadin’,
to be especially careful not to allow his conlideina' in the (dlicacy of
liis means to renden’ him inuthndive to the manner of tlu'ir appliiai-
(Jon. (l|M)u (hat important; point no man couhl havtMoineed j^ivater
eireuinspection. Ih'. was too sa*j:a<nnns not (o know that, to fnll
ellVi't to ih(‘ train wliich had lanni laid hy tin' bank diirim^ the n'eess
and, tbro' its agtnicy and wliati'Vi'r assistanee ('ou<i:ri*ss eonld ati'ord,
to cause sneli a panic in tin' public mirni as would be siiilieient to
aceouijilisli theh* obji'ct was not and (’ould not la' made, in onr t'x-
tensive t'ountry, the business of a day but wouhl n'quiri' a^’itatlon
not only viol(nit but lono- (*ontiniU'd. lOspeeially did lu' n‘e(jii:ni'/.e.
the value of the lath'r reijuisite and adapt his course of procaa'dinir
witli eousummate skill, to tin*, end td‘ si'i’urin^' it. It was searct'Iv
less desirahle that the course of the House id‘ Ih'pri'smitniivi's should,
in, botli resiieets, be made to harmoni'/e with that of (In* St'uate, and
we were not louf^ iu diseoverinn: that the p'uius and will, which, from
tho period of the balk iu the first altem])t to ehoosi* t lie stainliui^ c'om-
niittees to the end of the sessiou, bore ubsolute sway in the latter
body, npndated also the action of the former, as far'as tin' stale of
parties there would permit. The law of his nature th'uuunh'd that
it sliould be so and th(*re were no on tin* part of (*iUn'r of lii.s
priuepial associates, any adeciiuite indueenu'iits to (Iiwart bis dcNimis.
" MS. Vn r, ITO.
712
AUT(UU()(;UAPIl V (IP MAUTIN VAN BrUKN*.
713
Mr. McDultUs the*, leudor of (ho opposition in tlu‘ IIous(‘ of lu^piv-
sontativos, was an liouost, ohstinaii* man, in i>;(‘m‘ral actnaUnl l»y pnro
and ])atri()ii(*. motives, l)nt, on this ota^asion, liis ri'scmlnumt against
tlu‘ Pr(‘si(l(‘nt and his solicit udi* foi* ihi' succ(‘ss of tin* lauiU, o( wlTu^h
he was from tlu' Ix'ginning a d('\'ot(‘d friend, wimh* raistnl to sneh u
pitch tliat iMr. ( day had only to sat isfy him that tlu' eour.s(‘ 1 h‘ reeom-
nunidtal was h('st i^aleulatt'd to eonntt'raei tlu‘ (it'iu*i*al s views and to
pixjteet that institution to secnire his zixilous (*omp(M*at ion.
“Wlillst* Mr. Olay (‘unuot he said t(^ hava* displayed the lu'st jitdg-
ment in his g(mernl politi(a\l (*onrse, his parliamentary tad and talent
have ever h('en regarthul as of the high(‘s(. ordtM\ if iiuhnah they wiux^
not superior to thos(\ of any of his eontemporari(‘s. Tin* (*siai>lislied
])jirliann*ntaiy vwh^s and usage's have* in vi(*w (jf tla* di;*p{iteh <»f hush
ii(.‘ss (o th(‘ great(‘st (‘xteiit eonslstimt with a full opportunity hu’ tin'
deliberate consideratioti of ilu' mattt'rs to lu' at’ied up<tn, am! Iln'y
s(Tve to )>romot('i that, end exet'pt wlu'n tln\v ar<* p(M*v(‘rted icjr the
a(‘(‘om| )lishnu'nt of sinisttu' ohje»‘ts, d'lie lattm* operation wa*. now
deemed mxa'ssaiy for Mi*, (day's pnr[>o:-.f ami il i:- (‘iin<»n;, In «»h erxe
tin* p{‘rs('\’era ne(‘ and skill of his moxrnieids. d'lu* ohainad ' <d pante
and ruin a!r(*ady put in motion wtu’e* |o ree(*i\i‘ an n\ r!-u lodiuing'
impulse from tla^ rludoric'al (*xa,‘.rg’(‘ra( i<»n;; and xtdifiuent deinmein
(ioii.stohe fulmiiiatcal frtauthe (wo 1 Ion es of ( ’onirroj-.s, in therdnipi'
of : pCHudu's, r(‘;-dlu( ions and rt'ports. Ihil to makt' sure id* elisturhing
(hi‘ Ititti'r waterst’o t!a‘ir vi'ry depths and lhn> ti* guard ngniied their
loo rapid suhsidenri‘ after tht*si‘ ( 'ongrt's hainl tempest' , it wu ■ lndi^‘
pemsahhs a:-’ I ha\(‘ rmnarktMh that tin* lattt'r slionhl he h»ng etm
( imuMl and, to I hat end, that I he priipti.-dt hue; tm whii’h f la* snp|H>r((*rs
(»f ( he hank hasial I heir priuaaa lings .shouhl Im* siudn in shapt* am! uh
staneis ns to enable (ln*in, matigre jill ellorls df their oppcmenl s in
(he eontrary dir(‘e(ion, (t) keep (In* d is<' us fnui tm HmU during plinis
urts or as long might la* ue(H*ssary (o give (ln*ir paide njnM'atliur* a
ilmrtmgh (rial,
d’he rj’elings with wh)(*h Mr. (day had (*mhark(‘fi in tla* sti'iiggh*,
streiigtheiu’d a‘‘ tlu*v had het‘n by what took plaet^ in i*c*hi(ion to tin*
ehoir’i* id' the .standing etanmUti’es (»f (he Senuti*, iiidtieed him tt» ile
maml for himsedf (In* put(*rnity of (he leading prtjposit ii»n on whiidi
tiu’ opp<»si(i<m amt the hank should dt‘eid(* (o trust tlndr east* befiUH*
t!u‘ (‘oimtry. rroxertuully geiierou.s in his dealings with his politit^ul
frieml:> lu* w as, heh* -s not fr'tn* from .si‘l!ishm** s in ri" [jeet Itj
{*\i‘rything that might allVet his. raim*, an inlinnity from whieh bwv
piihlie im*n, i f any, hax i* l»*(‘n ent ii'tdy exempt and whieli in him, a in
others, Innl grown stronger w ith inerea* ing year . ddie w^ar and
ti‘ar'' of hi.N long and uetivr pt>Ii(ieal (’arefi* and the lia/ardoie strng
gle in wdiieh lie was now emlairked emnbineil w ith lii h advanced age
714
Am:krI(\\n !ns‘roKU’Ai. Assnri.vriu^^.
to {uliiiouish liini (liiU ilio was his l:is( rlKiiu'o nl rra«‘hiii.‘*; (hi*
goal of Ills life long luuhiliou.
The ])o\V('i‘ io iTUio\'i‘ tlu‘ puhTu* ih'po-its Iroio tlu* l<ank was
I’cscrvcil (o the Secreliiry <>1 Iht' I rt‘a>ur\ hy i( • t‘hartn\ hut it was
made his duty, if he exercised lliiit }H»\\cr, t(» i‘cp<irt l(» tlu* ( ‘ungress,
at its ncxl. .session, (In' r(*asons (Jii whieli la* had arliMl. II tlicst*
\vei*(‘- satis fax'tory to (hui- hody il lu*eanH* its duly ((> diriai, hy law,
w'liert‘, and upon wliat. It'rius (he pul)ii(' uuuhies should he depo'diitah
and if i(i did not ap[)roV(‘ of flu* Seeretaiys action it ^va•. svitliin its
[)0\V{M‘ to direct their restoration to tlu‘ hank. All thi,. was \a'ry
|)laiii as was also IIk' coiirsi^ of proctaalin*'; on the paii of Congress
for I ht‘ at'coiii j>lisluiu*n( (d’ cil htu* end : to w iu(<» nder t he .^eei^'t aryV
reasons to ilu^ appropria(i‘ eonnuittev* in each Ihui e, which wouh!
liavt‘luH‘ii that of I'inancix in (lie Senate, ainl (hat of \\*a\ aiul Means
in the. House (d’ Representat i ves, amh upon their lo’port , (o provide,
hy law or hy joint, n'solution, for such ai'tion in (la* mat ter a.'* jusliei'
to tiu* (’oiintry and |o (he hank • lioidd he* held to I’iMjnire. M itlauit
douht. (Ids eoiu‘se would liavi* been pur: ued if It luul coiuporital with
the vle.ws and inten^sts of the hank and it - upiMuter.. that the ques-
tioii should h(‘ fairly a(’(t‘d on ami ili* po imI (d’ In ai'i’ordaiu'r with
parlian unitary usages; hut its adt>pti«»n in trad of proiooiiug t!u‘ir
sinisl(*r ohjeeis might, a:', (hey thought, ilefeat them. There was in
(.h(‘ Senate a dia’ided majority rt*ad\ (<» eondemn (la* art of (he St*c
I’l'taiy ami I o gi\-e PH lie hank all i! a ked for, v. hi! t in (he Ihuii*, of
wddeh tlu‘- nuMuher.s hail jir-t heen ehaitah (her«‘ was known to he a.
majhirity (•([ually dia’hleil !n favor of dial uc( ami etjnaUy risidy
io \’o((‘, on (he .M'eoml reading, for the rejeeiitui <d' any hill re-
vi'.rsing (Iu‘ St*eri‘laryVi decision should Slieli a om* hr i-nt to (lieiu
liy i‘lu‘ Senaits if (he u:..ua! course had Ium-u piir ued hy the
supporters of (he l»ank, (hi* friend:, of (he Atlmiui (ration, aware
of (lie ulterior ohjeeis of the former and under:4amling the.
garni* they were playing io accompli: h them, would haw had
nothing to do hut to allow (he hill reported in the Senate {<» pa s
without, ojiposltiou, as rapidly as (he forms nf legi latiori would
peianil., and to rejeH il in (he IIouu’ on it, appearanee there, thus
suddenly and idfei’t ually closing (hi* dom* (o ( ‘ongt'cvsinnal aidtation,
on w'hieh so gretil. reliance was placed to -hake (hi* ('oimlr\ and,
])y eonsi'tiuenee, tu hretdv down (hi* ndiuinlstrat ion majority in the
popular lu’uneh of (he Li'gislatnnx
Hut ihei’t'. was another olijeetion to llu* adoption of (hr u ual com. e
of |)roei‘eding wdiiili wamhl liaVi* hiaui equally iuqierati'/e with Mr.
(Hay if its eonsideradon at (he moment !iad uo( hem super etliMl hv
die other and pressing inol iv(» for departing from it in whirh 1 have
alludedj but which was, iieverlheli-ss, vigorously enforcfsl af a more.
715
AXTT<)BI()(}KAPHV OK MAUTIN' VAN liUHKN.
iulvanrod poinocl of iho sossiou and wliirh li will no( in' nini.s^ lo
n()i.i(‘e ill Miis placo. I have boforo spokiMi of (ho fiadiiiii’s with which
Mr. Chiy mado liimscdf a pnriy to (lu‘ nau'wni of llu‘ conllicl for llu^.
rcdnc()r[)ornii()n of Mio bank, a <iU(‘s(ion sii|)p()S(al by many (o havi^
boon settled by the Presideniial ek'ciion of bsJKJ; of his (h‘((n’niiaa
tion that whalever was done on that sidi^. which prondsisl (o crca(iv
])olitica1 ea])ital for its author should ori^'inate wiih Iiiins(*li\ and,
in that conaertion, of the (hen existing* ])t‘rsonal rtdations lK‘(w(‘en
Mr. AVebster and himself. '‘Hiese resolutions he would doub(l(‘ss iiavc
carried out, even if tliose relations had eontiuiual as cordial during
the recess and at the opemin^' of (he panic session as (law siaaned lo
be at the close of that which pr<Mvd(‘d i(, hut. in a \'t‘ry dinVi-iuh
manner and spii’it-. "rhe altered mood in which ht^ a^unn nud. his
bank co-adjnlor and (he occurreiU‘<‘s wliich U‘d (o i(. luiw biam fully
stalled. The mort.illcal ion he sulbnual from b<*in^!: Noled down an a
motion for the sue.(U*.ss of which lu‘ luul manib'sicd n'r«*al. .••oli(’i( ude,
on the A'(‘ry thr(‘slH>ld of a. scission in wlfndi lu^ expecpMl (o liyin'c so
lar<>-ely and so trinmpliani ly, sank (l(H‘p into his beari. 11c tlid mH,
al- (h{‘. l ime, as apfasirs by his subsc<jucnt dcc|a ral ion , be ilnlt* io
all ribiih' Mr. Udhslci^s ln^)^'c^^cnl .s dtiriiiy; I he rccc.ss, (o a. coutciu *
plaled (Itdccdon from bis parly, lo in* conccal(*d fop (hr momcnl ami
to IjecaaiH'. inori^ or h'ss umlise’uiscd nc<’ordinn’ (o circumstances,
and (his notwii bslamline* hi*; ie‘noranct‘ rd’ llic pidilical <lnlliance
bel.W(‘(‘n Mi*. WhTsItu* and Mr. 1 /iviu/^slon, diiriiif^' llud- pethid, in
which (it‘n. »lack.son's name was so fi'cidy used. A ra opera! ion,
se(‘min,a*ly hcarly, was (‘Xlcmhnl by Mr. Webster, nflm* (hc^ S(diM‘lioii
of the*, commilhs's, towards t'anyin/j^ itilo clfcct Mr. (‘lays plans, but
bis (*xpcri(*nce of (la* formt*r s setllcd un friendliuc s luuin^j: lu't'U Ion
lone* and r(*ccn(ly pjo irrilalin*,^ (o permit him loer a'rain to cnididc
in his sinc(*rity he. n*solvcd I(j main* Mr. WebslerV; .sil iml itm fhroi^di’
out die s(*ssion lo IIh' last dcnrei* htimilial inn’ and wc shall sec liow
Ihoroiiehly la* carried <mi. that delerminal ion. lb* <lid imt allcmpt
(o inU'rfcri* with the prntrramme of his [larly accordin*.^ (o which
Mr. ^\(‘bs(i*r was (o la* placi*d hI. Ilu* hi*ad of lln* h'iminct^ coiumillee
Imt (he coimuillee- was so coirdilufcd (dla'rwi.t* as lo have on i( a
majorily who wert* .Mr. (days friends, do flml I’ommidtM* llu* ri*por(
of (he Secretary of the d'reasury, assi/^nine* liis n*a t»n : for (he re
moval of (la* dep{»sit shouhl of ri;Ldit and, if (In* n*;ipdar course id'
Ice'i.'^ hit i V{* |u*oi*ccditi;j:.s Inul nof tan*n brok(‘n up for tin* <H*cu,sion,
W(]idd ha\{‘ been rcit*rrcd. The action of (he Scualc* wonhl, in that
cast*. lui\i* been based on (lu* ri*pori- of Ihul ('ommilfcc, which wcadd
(d‘ cour.'4*, hale Imm'ii made )jy ils chairman, Mr. W<‘i>s((*r. and liial
^n*ii(h‘maii musi thus have bren inve .li*d wifh (la* posilion of Icmlrr
AJs. VI. r. ITS.
716
AMKRTCIA'N lIlSTOlUl’AIi ASS< K ‘I A'rKVN'.
ship in respect to the grout quostion o( tin*: sossIdik Mr. (Mnv, iiow-
ever, interdicted tiio action of the Kinnnct' (‘onunitici' on iiiai suh-
ject, with a single exception, tliroughoui (he session. Ih* onct\ a Tier
a protracted parley, con sen led that (ho Sci* rotary's r(‘porl should go
to that cuminittoc, but this permission was guarded a!\d clogged by
tcrnis and stipulations, humbly proposial by Mr, \\'e})slei* hiuiseir,
to wit: that he Avould l)ring it back (n tlu' Smiaii' (lu' iu‘\( morning
a(‘companied by a ivport which he lead sorni* lime before pri‘pared
and whicli, in lien of l)ill or oilu'r form (){‘ ivlief, should eoiu’luile
with a recommendation, to (he Senate (o pass one of Mr, (’lays own
resolutions, wliicli had been long lad'ori* (hal- body, a- the proptu*
subject for its action, and, furlluu*, (lud (lu' di'bale on Air. (’lays
resolutions should be lhereui)()n foriliwith iHvsuuictId
To secure both objects, lime lo enaile and Incrtaist' i)nnir by pi’o-
tracted disiaission and the eX(’liision (d‘ Mr. ^\'t‘h^(er rroin lhal pronii •
neiuje in the |>ro(*cuMlings (d’ Ihe Stmalt' lo which lu‘ was eiilithal hy
his position as Chairman of llu' h'iininci* (‘omniitlce, Mr. (’lay uKJved
to take up for eonsid(M*al ion lht‘ Secrclary's Special Ivcport on Ihe
vSnbjet't of ihe J’emoval of tin* deposils soon afU*r it had been smil in,
which wuis near tlH^ commenciMmuit of llu’ s<v-sinn, aiuh a ftcr (jidainiiig
the information he d(^sir(‘d from (h(‘ Tiuansury I )cpaiiuu*id, hi wilion
theiilhh Decemlau’, lu' siihmilU'd Iwij ri'soliitions upon (ln‘ Mihjccl for
the sepai-ale a<‘ti<m of llu‘ S(‘nai(‘ tht‘ firs/ charging lie* Pre .idenl.
witli having assunHal and acttal upon a powci* ovvv ihe dhaarauw of
Ihe United Slal(‘s nol grauhal lo him hy (he ( ‘on.-a i( id ion and laws,
dangerous i.o ihe lilau*! h's of lhi» pi'ophs and tin* .svv'o/a/ dcelaring* (ha(,
(h(\ Secretary’s reasons for (In* ri'iuoval cd’ (lu‘ di'posiis were '■* iinsalis-
factory and insiiiru^ient ” and accompanies! (Inur [u-cseutat ion with a
highly indaimnatory hu(. ahh‘ and edahoralc speech, P»y hi.' first n-io-
liition he lluis udvau(’('d a proposition which left, (he frimid . of i!h‘.
Administration in thi‘- Simate^, no opiiou as to (lu^ manner in whiiti
it shouhl be met but- drove them lo instant^ enrut‘sl and pi-rsc\ cring
opposition to its adoption and a( (lu* sanu‘. lime slimulated ccmtiudion
betw(‘eu (be friemds ami (uunnii'S of (be Presidemt (liroiqrlnail llu*
laml and aggnivateal the gemu‘al dislratdion, tin* exisltuna* of whie’h
was hdie\'e.d to h(‘. thes most elTectual support (o the (‘aiisf’ of (ht‘ batdi.
Furthermore, and this was .its prim'ipal vahit% from i(s naltirc aiul
adroit prt'semtaiion it enabled the majority io keep (he.siibjeel under
discussion as long as the agitation proeluceal by tlinl diseiis: ion iifiLdd-
seem to them to continue te> be useful, ft was, in Tael, dt‘ba((‘d t/i dic
hh three months and a day, a duration niij>r(M‘i‘de.nted In (his oi%
T belmve, any Country and that without the inlrodiiciion, during all
that period, of a solitary pro|)ositiou whicli, if adoi)(ed, would have
1 See piiKc 731.
ATTTOBTOOKAVIl V OK M AllTl N VAN UrilKN.
717
rovorsed tho action of the Secretary of tlie Treasury or havi» atbualeil
redress to the hank or have relieved (1 h‘ distress ol any one.
On (lu>. liSlh of May, nion* than livi' months after the intn'
diictioii of th(‘st‘. ]H‘sohit ions, Mr. Olay presenliMl, in the shape ot a
j<jint. resolution, the (irst. (h‘llnite. proposititui that was oilercd hu*
the rinau'sal of (he. Secrt‘tury's <|(*(’isioii and tlu* i*cs(orat ion of t!u‘
(lci)osit.s to tlu\ hank of tlu‘ United States.' His plan fc>r cKtcmlin*.^
tiud a^i;^*ra\'utin/Li,* ihc'. panic, for which the hank had laid llu* inunda-
tion ill (he recess and contrihuted its aid throujudi (lu* winter hy
means of inllummatory appeals to tlu^ passions and the fears ol the
eonununifcy, was therefori', so far as it ntlorded amph' opjjoiiuuiiy
for that; ex])eriinent, eminently siici’essfnL
.For obvious reasons tlu^ House of Representatives would huvi* been
made the jirineipal theatm* of (Iu‘st* o|)eratioiri hut for the eiretim-
staiiecv that the three leadine* a‘j!:i(ators were mcmhi'rs at the Senate
and fnrtlu'r that whilst tlu' snppoift'rs (d’ (lit* hank outnumhcr(‘d the
friiMuls of t lie tidminist rat ion in (hat body (la* latter ueia* a:. \et in
a <l(‘('idi*d majoritv in thi*. House a majority to hr broken dtovn
thro*' tiu* iiilliamci* of tin* l)ank and the arts and di*vit*es tp it advo
ea((‘s before any movtuneni protnisiim; .siieei'ss enuhl [le nunU^ in its
luFalf.
Mi*. McDutlic by smau’a! adroit, moviunent whitdi it is tmt ttn
r(‘asonahle to .siippo.M* uiu’c the rc.ults td' Mr. (day's advice ?.ni’
ciMsIrd in idlcctine* (In* .vamc ohjrta that vvas o .surer , dully arrtiiu
plislual iu (lu* S(mat(* to an rxtimt heVoml whn! tamhl have heeu
ant iripati'd. I>y a motion whirh tlu* frimuls df the ndministrat ion,
thro*’ inad\ tu*ti*nre, sidlrertl ti» pas the n’poii of the Siunrtary of
th(^ Tnsisury in relation to the nuuoval of (lu* depo it-, was referred
to t.lii‘ ( ommittee. of the W'hnh* Ilou t* on the Stntt* t»f tlu^ Union,
by whieh that. r;uhjee{ WU': phu’rd heVciUtt (hr nsirh of tlu* previous
((tu'slifui. d'lu* r:round thus lo: { thro' t!a» inattention of the majority
eould only l>e reeainrd by a reeon ddtsatf ion, (he nuPion hu" wlut'h
was optsi to tlehati* ami was a<’eordiuyly ton^r tli‘hat(nl. Wdnm (he
pr()pnsition hu’ rcs’on.siileruf iiUi was ai length liroU|,dd~ (o a vote nml
nd<jp(etl thrid tlu* inst rnmentality <jf tlu' prt'vious (jUi“.ti<»n uiul a
motion was madt‘ to ref(*r the report to the (kunmitfee of Wavs and
Miains, a mwv ohs(ae!i‘ was iaterpo.s<‘d by Mr, Mtd)uHie iu the simpe
of a mfdinn tt» ameml the motion for a ndereiu’e, by ndtlln^ irisfrue
(ions to the (’onunittee in i-i-port a n* olutlou direetiu;^ the revfora
tion <d’ the depo tt Iti t!u* hank.
orijf fjrjit <»f flH '!'- u ‘uhj'lMjif; u-j-j fh«- cr.. Ui.U nro i 4 ,\{ar> li IH.'M,
hi t'hararf. j rUij ' fh«* *4 th»‘ S. rr.-fnrv *»f a'i«*}r:iir^ ti^r
HEi " tiurijiUfihlvtMiji niid Ittfi'.iSli! ii'Ul.'' S« «* U<>:itarr ttt OrlnUms. l*{. 1. -^a'i X. Cf
n. ISIT.
718
AMEUrCAN' IMSTOUK^Aii ASSOC^I ATKOT.
the use of parliamentary arts lilce I have <h‘s(‘j'il)ea the
Avholo subject was kept muler disiaission in th(‘ Hnuse oT Kepr(‘-
sentatives for the space of inonllis upon preliminary <nies-
tions he fore the secretary 's reasons wcri' ri‘hM’r(‘(l to tiu* ('onnnil"
tee of Ways and Means, Avhere they should have been siml in the.
first instance. Upon eacdi of th(*se (jiU'stions, thro' (h(‘ latitude in
debate which crept into the |)roceedin^'s of that body, panic spt‘i‘clu‘s
utterly unrestricted in their scope or charaettu* wen' lu‘l<l to he. in
or< ler.
Ibivin^i; tluis ol>taiued ain])le se(‘urity apunst. a. spetaly disp()silion
^>f the subject by either house Mr. (day (‘uttua'd on lh(‘ (‘Xi^aition of
the task he liad assunuab- that of hrin/xiiiji; ( kui.u’nwiona I agitation
to the aid of the baiilc and its outdoor partisans in (ht‘ii' eirorts to
create, a. [)anic. in l.h(‘. [)iiblic. mind of siitlit‘i(mi isxtiml. ami inl(‘nsity
to etfect the suhj(M'tion of ('\'c‘ry adv(U>:i'. hrandi of th(‘ (io\i‘num'n(
to the dietat'ioii and (‘oiitrol of that, insl it ntion. Tlii:-; amlacioiis
d(\si<i;n lu\ hoped to a(‘c.oinplish thrtd the inst i*iinu*nt alily of inc(*ndi”
ary spe(‘ches and vin(li(‘t.i vc: resolutions (unanatin^' frtun the (wo
.Housl^s to \){\ n'produced at public me('iin<»;s atul in S(a(i‘ l..e^'isla
tures, aimed to a^a*<L‘'ra\‘a((‘. whatioau* (‘inharrassiutmis in (lu* hiiNiiuvs ;
(concerns of ilu‘ (kmnt ry llu‘. himk hail sueciaalcil in cairanu;, by
exaj:>;<i;eratin<i; tlu‘ir extimi, ami to exaspt'rate (he jmldic fetditiu’ ami
misl(‘a(l tlu‘, puhlii^ mind into (h(‘ lufiiid’ (hat (h(*.s(^ evils, altind in
fact inUmt ionally and caus(‘li‘ssly (U’cated. so far as (hey exi.N(ed a(.
all, by th(\ hank and its supportm'.s, had aristm from ilu' removal of
the deposits; ainual also to uproot. (In* eonlidtmia* of tin* community
as well in the st.ability of th(^ institutions whhh (he Stales had
estahli.slual as in tlu‘ir eajaieily (o aH'ord the iu‘cessarv pi‘ctmiary
fac.ilili(‘s to men (d’ hiisim*ss, to shak(^ its faith in monietl eslahli;h
mentsof every deseriplionU in individual resouiaa'S, in ‘all iht' busi-
ness ])nrHiiits of intui whi(‘h liad thitluu’io alfordial support or profit,
and in eveiy .sourc('» of n^lief oj‘ si‘euriiy a|^ains( the. ruin whielu as
was asserted and insisted, (hnaitmu'd, nay netually overwhelminl thi‘.
mat.tu-ial in^(‘l•(^s^.s of the \vhoh‘ Uonnijy, other Ilian that ailorded
liy the hank of tht‘. United Sla(i‘s -an inst il.utioii, ns snhseijiient. ile-
velnpjmmts lr.i\’(‘ demmistratcal, t.h('.n ahxaidy (otierinn* to its fall!
A. leader better fitb'd for the (•ondn('‘,t. of smh an (uilerpri.M* ('oiild
not have In^eu found in this or, perhaps, in any Uoiintry. Neither
the A'if>;()r of his intelleet nor liis riaisoninc; pow{*i*s wm’e superior,
])r()bahly they were inferior to fho.se of Mr. Wuhstm*; hut tlic.se were,
iiofi CA'cii the chief ciiialifications for the jiosi.. All (he, uiil ami eom-
fort” to lie dtu‘ive.d from these sources liad lieen {‘ontributial in ftdl
" JUS. VI, p. IHl),
AXTToincHniArn V ok MAirriN van uoiikn.
719
luo.Jisuro. by 'Wb'bslor in tlio, ^‘n(()“^u(‘ssa«j.v (’ainjiaiii'n, bul wilhoul; suc-
I'oss. In ibo coniasi. in wliicli Mr. (May was (‘inharkod (Mnar aiul oool
ar^'unuMit, savn to ('(Hifiise and silniua^ (In' did\‘iu‘i»s of (hn adiuinis-
Iralion a^xiinst the unjust assaults tliat winv to bo hoapod up{)n it,
would )h‘. out of plju'o. His riMianoo was to 1)(‘. an ai»-(Mioy at* war* with
sonso and ri'ason— that of panic. ''Fo croato. this of \*iolonci‘ ado-
<|uaio to tlio occasion and to tho j)urp()Si‘s to wldch il was to bi‘ a[>-
])liod - in a (\)untry so (‘Xti‘nsiv(' and withal so thriving as oui’s,
was an nndcM’takino* ()f \vhi<‘h tlu‘ diHicnltn‘s would have. disconra^t‘(I
and dissnadod oiHlinary minds, but with Mr. (May and with many of
]iis conrodorsitos not. .I(‘ss r(‘solnt(‘, bjK'kod as thi'V xv(*ro l)y a* moni'y-
pow(n‘ utterly nnscrnpulous as to tho nannis it (‘inployod, no oH’orts
to pronioto its (‘ans(>i wtnv tliouo-ht too dillicult. or dt'spen^ato in thal
crisis of tlioir fortunes. MMu'ir unittMl (‘Xiudions w<‘r(‘ iluM’t'foro nn-
caavsin^ly ompl(»yod, as I have saiih day in and day out, f(jr (lu^ d{‘"-
stiaulion of tho confldon<•(^ of tin* comniiniity in puhTn’ and privatt^
(‘ri'dit in iln*. siicc(‘ss of business pursuits of i'\n*ry th'ju’ripi ion
in tin* so]\’(*n<‘y of all haidvs and monied (‘j.t abliNlmicnts. in any way
('onn(‘<’t (‘d wMth hiisimvss t i*a n>;ac( ions, cxoi'pt <inly tho bank of tlu^
IMiitt'd States and siioli Stati* batdc: as; aoknow lodi.»;od b'alty in that,
institution and in .sproailinii; tin* In-licf, that the fornn'r, whether (’or*
porate or pri\al(*, woidd he .-.peialily conipelkal to sUsptnnl payment ;
in persiiadiujii- tin* Manu fm’t iiri’rs that (lu*y would be oblij^n*!! (<j stop
their mills tlu’ir (‘mplny('(*s that the\ waadil bt* discliurjiit'd (hose
enn,’a;j:(‘d in coinmei’ct* that their ships wrvv d(‘stined to rot at tlu^
wliarvi’s the* (dllc’ers and sailors that they would In* turm’d adrift
the farnn‘i’s, {danteiSs fotunh'rs, mitn’i’s, and pnuhici'rs of ('V(»ry do.-
scription that tin* pro<hn’t?e (d’ tln'ii* labor* utadtl 1 m* without a mar-
ket thi* contractors and btiihlers that tin* demainl for homs's wotdd
c(*a^^‘ and tin* nunauaui:; u(*rknu‘n dt*pendent np<ai tlietn uiul tho. labor-
er- in (‘Sfi'V depart nn’iil of indir. try that all w<iuld .soon be* thiaeu n out.
of employment that thei’i* wiadd la* neither call feu’ th(‘ir si*rvieeH
nor a eurreney (d* sutlieitmt vabu* (o regard (hem, if they humd any
work, unle-s (he public deposits wt^ia* resion’d to tho vaults of tho
l)ank.
M'o friidd (la* puhTu’ mimt frmu its proprit*ty, it) siullify it so far
as to main* tla*.".e uuui.'drou a. uinpti<ins t*redihlt* was an under*! ak-
iiiy tiu'sucee s (d’ aldeh eonld not i»e promoted by appeals hoW(*\‘(*r
(doqueid or phur ible to men’ judgment ■. Not arguments nor faets
but, bold f.'UM'il hyperbede and ineemdiary haranyui* addn*ssed to tlu^
U'or t pa; dons of the heart nith (hi* iri'os c; ( misr(*ju*t‘.' (*ntat ifJiis in
ri'pird to th(‘ arts <»f (he ( tnv»Tnment , the actual (’ondition of llu*^
C’ouutrv aud the eau e « id' the limited di ti’e s (hat exi: te<l ami reck-
less assaults on tho. i* ulu».s‘ inllueiu’e the support (*rs of tlui ba.nk
720
AiMKRU^AN n IS'rtJKU’AL ASS( U 'LVlMo N\
sought to subvert — these were the upproju-iati' W(‘npons for the ocoa-
siou and they were wielded to an t‘x(en( which has seeiiretl to it an
enduring and. uiuan'iahle notorii'iy.
That Mr. (lay should have eonsenled to lu'couu' tin*. princi[ril and
most active leader of iliosiv who (*neourng(‘d aiul suslaini'd tin* l>anlc in
its (Tusade not only against, tin* lu*st inii'rests of tin* (’ouutrv hut
against the. idtal prineipl(\ of the ( ioveninieut. was a sourt't* of
regi‘et to his earliest and best fri(‘nds. '\\*hai could havt* lM‘i‘n inoii*
hinniliating to himseH* or ])ainful to (liost*- who were', (’ouversaut with
the bright opening of his ean*(‘r I hau (In* aspeef. in which he presented
liiinself foi* tliive inoidhs of (his uieiuoral)le. s(*S'-'ion, Ka'i'ii lu'fori*
attaining (hi* {U'riod of manhood I In* eloquent ntivocaii* of !il)cral
priiudi)les and for many proud yi'ars of his prinu* of lil\^ (In* un-
iliiiehing and. sii<’(*essrnl s(ip|>oid(*r <d* I In* pun*, am! s(‘l f -dt'uviug
doetrines of (he ohi Ih'pnldiean party, in)W, wlu'ii his teiuph*s wt‘n'
silvered by age, Jiis imposing tigni’c* was ilnily rc{‘ogni/.i‘d in his well
known j)laee in (he Sena((*. Chamber and his niehulious voict*. heard
in forccHl apologies for, or tin fonndt'tl just idcat ions of (In* condnei,
■of the. bank and in indiseriminati* dt‘nninda( ions (d’ (he ( io\ (‘rnmenl,
in Iverahling for (he most part fallacious and always grossly exaggt*
rated j’oports of (lu*. pr(‘valc*n(*(* (d* dis(ii‘ss in (In* ('ontdry, in uradng
the i)i*(*pos(,ernns <‘onelnsion known a(. (he momi'iit and long since
c<)iu*(‘.de,d l>y all iidclligeid. minds In \n\ such that (host' disin'ssi's
wert*. oc(*asioiied by (he r(*moval of (In* de[j(rdls and in wailing pro])h-
cedes of woe. to every piihlii* and private inten‘s(. un!t‘ss (Inn* di«pnsils
were restoreil, in(.i‘nd(‘d as Ivi‘y-nolt‘s io his folhovcrs in evi*ry conn*!*
of the land. '.No man who n‘ads (hi*s(* i)ages will, I am cotdhli*nt,
b<di(‘\'e tlnit I fetd any salisfaclion in recording (In* tkdails of (lu’sc*
the most ex<*ep( ionahle proeetMlings of Mr. day's life, Ve( (he (ruth
of history retiuires me (osay, painful as i( is to do so, that in* not only
sought or at li*as(. N'oluidarily assumed (he lead in all af (hem, hut
that he snlfered no om^ of bis asso(‘iatcs to go lawnud him in (lu*
violen<*(\ in ae.(.s and words, with whieh his t*mls were pursued,
Whilst Mr. ( lay and his lollowi*rs in both IIousi*s wi*re applying
all tludr energies to cany into ellVct the part, ulloficd (o (lu*m by
(he general programme their political frii'inls and tlu^ hank and its
employees and dependents were no less ae(ivi‘ly engngt*d in supply-
ing them with materialH for agitation in (lu* slinpc* of memorials
from all parts of the country aiul all (dasses of p(*oplt*, allho’ so
much alike in form and snhstanee as (o shew (hat tdicy wi'n^ madi*
to oriier, deseribiug, in terms whicdi echoed ('ongivssicmal lameula-
tioas, the fiiliilmcnt of ( longressional predictions of (he g(*nenil sub
fering and ruin in consequence of the removal of (lu* deposits, and
pointing to their restoration to the vaults of the bank of (ht*. XI. Statt*s
and, in some few cases, referring also to an exteasiou of the charti’r
ArTOBKKJTwMMl V ()!•’ .MAiri'lN VAN UrilKN . 721
of that inslitniioii as tlu\ only ])auafi'a r<H* (Ik' disoiali'rs thal ptn’-
vadial llu' Ixuly -polit io.
“ Tlu'st*- ""dislrass memorials" (tis ihoy oanu' io 1 k‘ i*alh‘d) pro-
stMilisl llu‘ lu'sl phas(‘ of ilio (vx(i‘rn;d aid alVord(Ml lo (lii* alarinisls
in ( 'on<j:r('ss. Mdial 1 ha\(‘ jo say <d’ ilu‘ir characti'r and i’onionts
musi of lU'fossily lu' drii'lly said as (lu' ^'i'iu‘ral sul>joo( iindcn* (X)p'
sid(M’alinn (ha( of (lu‘ [nxxaHHliuixs of (ho panii* si'ssion ■ has alnaidy
^rown lar^'tdy on my hands, d’ho hall was (»poiu*d, afttn* (Ik* polition
of llu‘ hank, which was litllo luoiu^ than a prayin' for ^’oiunail ndiof,
hy a nunnorial from a nnmhi'r of (ho principal S(a(<^ hank> doin/i;
business in (ho. <‘i(y <d’ Philadolphia. It. was (ho boast, of tlu* hank
of Iho United States and its suppor(oi‘s that (ho State lainks onuld
not ho k(*pt. on foot, in a ptn’ioil of i*onimtn*(’ia| omharrassmont , w'ith-
out. h(‘r aid and (ha( she had it in Inn' power, on suoh oooasions, to
ooinpol them to suspend s|)i‘oi(' payuunds by luondy w it hholdin*!; her
®assisiaiU‘o fi'oni (hem. Tliat this was not :o was fully proxtni by
ri‘suhs with w'hirh wi' are all fainiliar hut it i;. n<n a.-; clear that
all of (ho vStato institutions wana* sen ihlc of their real ahility to take
cart* of 1 hcin.‘S‘h (‘.s. W’hahwcr may haw* been tin* inlliifiH'es by
which (he Slate hanks: in [*h ihnh‘l j »hia ucr»* mo\'tM| whether by
dread of the pow<n’ of tin* Nat itmal bank or by a common sytapathy
it > 1 } happonial that Iho-o* bank , (o the nninbt‘r of nine, umhn’ their
corporate seals and the signatures of thi*ir re.poctha* Ih’csidents,
inmH‘dialely canu* bu’ward to Mr.tain that itistilution j\nd pro-
sonted (t) < 'onyre::; a joint meiinn*iat a kitipT that hotly to dirm’t !i
ri'storation id* tin* depo its (t) its \ardt . dlieir communicat ion was
piM‘r enl<‘d on the day of Uia'cmher ^ and was ordmaal to
be . pread upon (he jouruab a mark td’ re jM*i*t conceded in that ilocn
namt and (o the memoiaal of (he hank of tlio UnittMl States, Imt.
not (o an\ other. It w as . t‘lcct ctl n»il only as an impo in«^’ amt .sat«
irfaclory opening repre laitation for flic hank but. ob^ion^dy to
seiw e a.s a nmdel for (ho e which were to follow. It is therefore en-
titled to ' peeiul notiee and wlnit i.; ln*re said of its coutimts will
jircmerally upply iii tho that jiroceetled from dillVrmit soiirees. It.
dwelt up«in the import ama* of a well i*i**rtdat{Ml euri*<*n«'y aHirmial
that (hi* nation hail enjovc»l uch a riirriutey and a moneyed .sy: tern
adei|uate to it want for the preetMlin^f ten years thro' the. instru-
iiu'iilalilN of tin* e\i tin‘»' national bank, whi«*li in (heir opinion had
no , tijierioj- in tbr world it rbarned ilmt that sW teni, whieh bad
been (bu ju rfect on (be tir t of ( )e{ober preeialin^', and the sifi^nal
pro per:t\ it bad pr‘iduced had undet'oone a udden and a pmvet'fnl
M r... \ 1 1. h 1
- i i’.i j;.. ilui.ti h - n. V .i ■ J. 2 ' :n nf . a O* IS, {sua, K pj lulhlrtl ill Uir !»<!
l « lilt, ! * ■: T, e*. es in S/M..
722
AMi'.KU'A>» insr»‘i:h \i. A
\ 1 !i»\.
,.hanp'" that ui'Hirynl ..juT it ■. "! -! i'" -•■imin
were at a Sltlliil. til 1 tI vi . , n Ui-' "'I ■ 1 a:'
unikT a tax. svli'u'h inu l .•..utmu,- iia iva in;' a. a ...
,.x,.han..v that th.- .•iivulai in- m- imn. , -a'l.i
ilsi.ir.ai a '^’'7
not far hrhin.i thrm, nii,-l.t hr ai-invlH i,. I,-! a rmrial ;
of sparir payninil- that, happilv f-r ihr ‘ , an,, rv t a,
(hi.-s <li>trf:-:-iiia- ^tat.• "f thinr "a a a i nr .
(hat (hrv ilhl ant lu-itatr In axpr- : tin ir h. laP that, a
of tha .lr|.n.-il.-. nf tha T. Slatr frnia tha hu.u nl tiia i
1 of tha lii tra . . n ilia r- I Ih.aa i
tolion Wnllh! l.a tha .•llaalUa! raliraly.” I Ir-V to-r. Im,-
.'Urh I'l'Stnrat inn .■-hnllhl ha itirrali'il tiV t nlii'ia .
'I'liir; niaiunrial «a fnllnwfi nil .hmiiary aj mir In
of Traila nf tlia ■ aiiia aiiv. whiali. loi\ in" h- . n ni a '■ n i
\Nlial innra ailvanaa.l tana nf tha pai.ia, <,- • at I .u .v-
typa in it- -Inniny lla ariptinn nf tha o; tla al.h ;
witlliu a faw waak takali tha plaaa ..t I’'", :. i"" ! •
in tha [laanniarv alfair nf (ha ( minliv. ilh'in a- a.'"
that tha (li-a.-tmii ahanra wa nuin;' i" ‘ ' ' ' ''
t!ia r. S. liai! haali ilapnvah nf tha n a la a l-i.-
.-uppni't tiia atii'i'anay aial In
(h<‘ ( invarninant liapn it V.
Mipph luT ur».;a{ iv Uu/
!i;uL vlihn' for \h‘V ouu piMiniiMH *.r utv
hy whifhtlu* pHnailHi;* . iiiO in t i ;
tliut ^^iry •'h.ii!*'' ‘O'
c*riuui‘nt , aiul 1 m‘ all rrUH'Oir.s l*\ U »' i
: latrini*ut‘ rt U*r\U ni llu' r up i
falsity of \sU\rU uill hi- hi-ivapt-r .i.-Ui-o
Itinsr of thr hank whinh. aft*'r n .h i* il
afti'T it iiail rn.‘«*ivi‘<i npi»ii tin* ir^-uir
now nnL''aL*i*' 1- ^"^a t-niif'i-l v nu ‘ i 'it'nl*''.
uiul wrm ahoptr*! 1»\ tin* !‘r*' i*lrnl aift a
in Pliilatlt*li>liia uith nnit** natn:** mo '-t
ti\fsan(| in t lie itifnliihihl ^ nl Mr. Ihi-..
ltlh>nt rnahiis:.*
in r \pl.--t! I h'
.1* dt'-frilnnl t!u‘ fliaratiiM’ of iho jH‘t it ioiuM's, tlieir original political
ssofiat ions, tlio | imst I'al ion of thoir l)Usiiu‘ss and the distress pre-
ailinir ainonii; llaan, and ilepieted in most, sombre colors the Avicketl
ets b\ wliii'h ^all•h w id(‘.-pnaul ruin had b(‘en produ(‘ed in a Country
mt rcocfitly hiirldy fbHii'ishiiii:'. This was f()llow(Hl hy repli(\s to
he alii'ira! io!is of faets in the sp(‘ech and a runnino- debate in which
nanv Simator-. parraapattai, ata-usaloiw on tlu‘ side', of the })etiti<ms
ronerally c\«*it inn: and (d’teti vtu-y vioUmt. 'i'he inilammatory char-
ictt'i* of these Simatoi’ia! a Itm’eat ions was continually airoa-avated
iv tin* rcadinn; of pri\at«' lett<‘i‘s, tla* promule’at ion on the lloor of
he Senati*, of : tart linn rt'poiis importing: the. conlirmation of the
tahnnent . of the nitunorial. , and of tlu‘ proc(H‘dine-s of partisan
tiuadinns tleutuinciie!' iht* adminiot rat ion in l)itt(U'cst terms as the
author of (he tlistrtv-. ailctnal the naaaittu* portion of which had no
exi‘di*n<a» out ide (d' iho (‘ pi’o(a‘(Mlin;c:s and memorials and for no
part of whieh ua it ju tly rcspunsii)!c.
ddic e alharation eharpe and inveetives natui*ally dr(‘W ont n^plics
from Senator frientllv to the Administration, sonu^ of whom re])rc-
:-en(tal Stair t » ehiih t ho. e hinh wrought di‘seripl ions apphuMl, and
who helie\(‘d them (o he in t h(' main jL^i'onnd l{^ss. Aliho'' ilu‘se re-
ppjr in oU'* en e promoted flu* \ lews (d the oj)posi(ion by pro-
lonnimr the di tar: ion and by in^*; additional interest to the
uhjee!, the\ wen* i le \ ei't he le. . . ima\ oida hlt‘, as it was not- in the
jiutinv td' lith mi'll Pi li'ten in .ddtmet* to r(‘presentations which
{he\ knew to hr, in a very nreat decree, lalst* and in all respects
nro h exanio-rated, e pri'iallv when tlu*y wawe made the pre((‘xt of
deiiuneiatnat of an atlunui"-! rat ion whieh they hoiU‘stly hcdie.ved
to he tie erCnof of t ht‘ etmlidemM* of (he nation. 'I'liesc^ ri'plies wiu’iv
latt neatlf wulinut eo i to thidi* authors, which mtm l(‘ss fuan than the
rahle pirit. lo whom the adinini (ration was dehmdeil in tlnit the
innmruf of it ulimtet iummI mirht have hdt willing’ to avoid. I'o
one lion thr r\i letwe of the di.Sre's desrrihed in (hose, memorials,
prnaf.* Iritiw or irre. ponsihle m*w |>ap(‘r pai'a^i*nphs, or evam to
dein it pre\:ileure to flu* extent alh‘ire(h i‘Xt>nsial (h(‘ Simators who
venliirrd o far io :itt iminedi:iti‘ storm ol imptdiKMis railing trom
t ia\ ,,r of row line . aia-a in from Widisltn* or to he pounced upon
!i\ Poiiiilrxlrr, wito watelH-il with the alertness of a eat for his
opportunity.
Mo I inominent amonir the friends of the mlminist ration who
de\nt**d fhriii fd\r with all their hi-art:- and powaws to th(‘ supl>ort.
(if the ihv idriit in lidi tioree -XvuiriXlv .-lood Korsytii of (ua)ro;ia,
724
AMERICAlsr HISTORICAL ASSOCIATIOIT.
Tennessee, Shepley of Maine, and Kane of Illinois, wi
assistance from King of Alabama, a gentleman of col
ment but wlio clierislied and manfully asserted, wbei
called out, just and honest views.
An incident illustrating the absorbing excitement of
recurs to my memory as I write. Feeling quite unwell
ing of one of those troublous days I thought it advisable
home, but as the Senate could not be organised in my at
the rules as they then stood) I decided to wrap myself i
go to the Capitol, place some one of the Senators in the
turn to meet a physician whom I directed to be called j
mj^self to my bed. Adding a heavy cloak to my ordir
ai^parcl and a scarf around my neck I drove to the cap
the chair witlvout parting with either and with the dei
have described. As soon as the reading of the Journal v
a distress memorial was presented ux^on which and upoi
of the Senator j)resenting it a fiery debate sprang up
friend Fors^dh bore a principal x^art and which lasted ^
mission until five o’clock, the hour of adjournment. 1
ment increased I gradually threw aside my surplus cove
mained in the chair until the Senate adjourned, when, o
chainbei’, I invited Forsyth, with whose bearing on t]
had been esx^ecially jdeased, and two other friends to
my carriage and to dine wuth me and it was not until •
my house and noticed the astonishment of my servant,
wuth an explanation from the doctor of his inability h
foi‘ me, that I recalled the resolutions of the morning an
tions I had left with him.
There wuas, however, no degree of excitement in the
that could save the cause of the bank from the damag
the examinations and discussions which stamped the in
of imposture on the memorials of the Philadelphia ci
of its Board of Trade, and the distrust thus produced
tended to many subsequent memorials, embracing ne
structed on the same basis. The justice of this cond(
fully demonstrated by the facts disclosed and by tl
1 An XTcri+.U flip AP.ft «p,t nn. ns wnff
tion than hy love of truth and haired of ‘unposiiioii, devoted them
.se!v(‘s to their pn^purat ioiu exposed the ai)siird |)i*oiK)sitions wide]
hatl hinai do^auat i<‘ally advaiuvd in tlie Philadelphia memorials h
the eonttanp! of nnpre juditaal and sensihh^ minds, and their posi
lions were enfoi-eed with p*eat ability and ef1‘e(‘t by the supporter
of the public taiuse on the lloor of the Senatt‘.
P»y these invest i^at ions and discussions tlu‘ following* case ^va
imuli* <uit apiinst tlu‘ baidv-memorialists:
dlie order foi* the removal of the dt‘p<»sits, tho" made in Sephanber
did not tak(‘ (‘tlta’t until the first of <)c‘tober and onhj f<> fh
^ 7 crva//;/y n lu )iut\ h‘avin<JC th(‘ balamv of tlu' public money whic
should on that <lay he in the bank <d‘ the United States to be expende
in tlu‘ public ser*vi(H' ami <lrawn out in the way winch had been l)efoi
pursued. The memorial of the Stat(‘ lainks in Philadel})hia wj;
lHH*s(mted to Uon^r(‘Ss on thi‘ do**' I>t‘C(*mb(‘r and that of the Boar
of Trade on the M January followini!;; thus, assuming; that, only
f(‘W days (Japsetl In'twecm tlu'ir pr(‘pai*at ion and approval hy t1
i'<‘spt‘(*t i\ lioards ami tlu‘ir pr(‘sent at ion to Uon<i:r(,‘ss, Uaw'ine; son
t<*n wt'eks during' whieh the l)ank had Inum d(‘pri\c‘d ot th(‘ aeeriiin
rtwenue when ilmse doeunumts \\(‘r(‘ so pi'estmt t‘d. ix'eeipts 1
th«‘ t ho (‘riinumt, during th(‘ intervenini^ pm’iod, wmx* asem*t,ain(
from otlieial souri*es to ha\'t‘ amounted to * and the bar
had in its. vaults vv turn the oixltu* lor tlu‘ removal took (dliaj, a ha
anei‘ of public money amountiun to ■ whieh remaiiuMl unt
drawn out in tin* regular ecfursc* (d* the public smwieiu It was by tl
aid isf vv it hholdinu; fr<»m tin* bank th<‘ u: a* <d‘ thi‘ lirsi numtiomxl sni
lluf aei’<!m|>anie<i by tlu^ eontinuane<‘ td' a mm-h larj^tu^ dc^posit, ai
bv plaiun*,r tiic iiifuaws thus vvithlielil in Stale institutions 'om‘ <
tluun in iIh* saint* city to bt‘ usc‘l in tin* samt^ way, that th(‘St‘ douh
\v>.> Worthy hut certainly vauT ^uUihh‘ im^morialists wtua* madt‘
helit‘Vt%(U' at haist ti» eharp* that tht‘ir ( iovtu’ument hatl, in tlu^ spa
of SiUue t<‘U v\(‘eks, pri>du<'<‘il tlu* vvi<h‘ sprt'atl ruin (law path<d.i<‘al
dt»pieteih reas'ldnij ti^ tlu* prostration, it iujI tlt*sti*uetion ol tlu* eii
rt*ii<‘V aiul uuuu’V'i'd r^Vidtuii ot a ^rt‘at nation, tlu* snpt‘rioi* ol whit
in their opinion the wtjrhl Inul nevtu’ st*<*n ; had l)roii/i;ht tlu* moiu*y<
opiU’atiiUiK id" our eonum*i’eial i’ities to a staiul; had suhjt‘et(‘<l 1
eianmena‘ IndwiMUi tht* States to a tax, whit*h must continually i
cTcase, at a h»SN on all its (‘Xeha,np*s ami our eireulatin^* mediu
ii, the point of di*pr<*eiution, and, in tlu* train (d‘ th(‘se evils, h:
fnrni bed tUMHi e-nuuul bu* tVarinir a siispi‘nsion <d sp(‘ei(‘ paymen
Xo better iUustratiim eoulil he a ki‘«l ot tlu* ri‘(‘klt‘ss audacity ol tlu
726
aMi:ki« n; •
Imnk to.^'osliirht^ an aiiinLi.! . - :.a
which hoa^tfh, in ulli' lal ‘'-c
(){K‘ra( inns ainnunttMl lo 'aii* i •
T\\v h‘ah(‘r*. uf tht‘ ha!ik
^iti<ai luul ruUv rutlfhh • '
the pri'tenr,-, with wlnrli tn.w
dvtrrivil h\ th*‘ p*‘Mplr ii :h -
hv aUtauptinn tn iitaait i'M i * ’* a
to the lUH’i*' it} nt a fii ih:'*' ‘ >
ail ahvav< (iane»*r^»ii * ei* i'
tlielr eu4‘. Ahaiehanne th* d
the ptaamiar} emharra ue ia s
prevail in the ( i
of tie* tlepH- it , It V. ,! IS '
ilu‘ (le trnetion ««! ihr . .air-i' :
<rtaua'a!l} ate} in ail p-' a .
reuawal of tin* ‘lep“ a i' .! •
n‘t arv' of t he I l ra lU } n
aiaeiulnaatt of thr iiele a i a
nilniini trutnai a an alt- i t '
hank niaiiapia w 'am t la* p"
tilt* uhjt'et h>r ai‘itati..!i, a-.! I
nnh uhiali ua hmv. a^a**a - -
fnan tlnar fir t p" it ;-n. hi t '
auh the jiri»nn*i le.v. lak* e * ■
lea - unfnniei«*ii pn irir r . ' ^
tor the retreat tnau a a a •
iiupji- it iMii llpMii tie’ ' ' a: f
tu penetrate the artiliei . j. pain
Hieninnal , w itli W ‘i \.
u i uih 1 ni»{ ita v e ( (i-«ai * mii ip i * ■
taken had !>erii tie* '«n«' .a -‘ a.
I tiuelv e!li»rt *'n the j* u m i *
nree aty to t ia* p hh a
the i’Xleni U* w !i it a .i . a
whtelj W a . lit the lie a..«'at
ii*. , rMlir e in IU:Ul> P' r’ ''' ' ■
1 i|i'elif pi'* »ple, a vat ijs a ; n
.Ii fi-ii In.V,?
■ ’i. # • 1
M(‘inonais oi ina sanu‘ aviu^ral (‘aaracier, dinerino* only by iirg'ing,
arrordino- {o ihc corivcltal proi^rainiue, the (lestructioii of conli(lei)t*c
as the taiuse of (lie evils under wliudi the (\)untrv was said to be.
.sulhu'inyv eontimual to {)our in, day arter day, until the number of
tlu' siyiuu’s to them exi‘eeded one hundred thousand as declared when
a count was made by the Secretai*y of the Senate at the instance of
Mr. (day.
A mev feature was, after a while, achhal to the panic machinery
(d‘ (lie l)ank and its sup|K>rters; that of Iarfi;e ‘"distress committees”
appoint(‘tl to <‘arry tlu^ memoi'ials to Washington and commissioned
to a<ld tlu^ir ptu'sonal assurances of the existence and extent of the
<listress. dduse committees thronged the gallei'ies of the two Houses
(d* (dongn^ss ami tlu' a\iames to (hei Capitol, procdaiming everywhere
the ruin of tlu‘ <*ountiw; tluw visited the Pi'esident, i’epeated to liim
tlieir relation of pubhu* grievaiuH's and in some instances misreprc-
sent(*d his replicas to an tsxtcmt that led him to ivcjuire that their
further communicat ions to him should }h‘ in writing. Tlaw fuKllUal
theii’ allo(t(‘d task of adding to the j)r(‘vailing excitement by start-
ling d(‘ t'ri j)t ions of tlu‘ condition of tlu‘. pt‘opU‘ given to their rt‘p-
rt‘:o‘n{ ali \ and on llu‘ir ndiirn laboi*ing to iri'itati'. t!u> (‘onstitiumt
hod\ l>\ i'.\ar‘geraie<l [>ic'tni*(‘s (d’ th(‘ condition of alfaii’s at- Mdtsh-
ing'ton, of which tlu‘ ohstimu’V (d* tlu‘ Ih'esident was a pi*ominent
ami in\‘ariahle f(‘atu^<^
numHU'ial from tlu^ ihiilding Mechanics of tlie city of Piiila-
didphia, said to havt^ htnm adopted at a imnding of d>,(){)() |)ersons,
I’ompn. ciL a Ml’. \\d‘b; ((U- .sai<l, of carptmtm's, mtisons, bricklaycu’s,
painter , and gla/diU’; .. lime burners, plast(U'm*s, lumber merchants,
^Cc., wa carrhal to W’a; hington by a commit.tee (d‘ tliii*t 3 ’ of the
mimuU’iali ! . ddd eomndtt(*(‘ was mlmittisl to tla* Senate Cdnunl)er
am! were ranged around the M‘ats of the Stmator whilst tluit gentle-
man pre ciited their manorial, in doing which, h(‘ pointed to them
and poke in hi m<»; 1 ;(>h*mn V(*in of their r(‘spiM‘tabilitv end use-
fuhu‘ ami in\ ited tlu‘ S(*nat<U'r> (o con\'(‘rs(* with them and to hear,
from tht‘ir own lip , tln*ir *■' ftairful stored'’
lh(‘ tlonii of mimiorials in favor of th(‘ hank naturally soon pro-
duced a large numlHU* td’ rtammsi raiuH‘s from iiiost* who thought (he
( homrumciit had tlom* rigdit, against the intei’bmenee of Congn ss in
the mailer, hadi ilocument, wlu‘th(‘r <l(miinciatorv of the art. of the
Pre Idem, or of tlic ccmdiict of lht‘ bank, was nsluu‘e<l in by a sepa-
which prowdo-d r(‘plie.s and tlursig in turn, rejoinders,
ti> the c\.'Iu itm of all utber businc.-s, until t!u‘ t w'o House's piu'sented
a pci'faclc, whi«’li wamhl not have iietm endni’etl in any oilier state
Al'TOBKxaiAPil V OK M AHTIX VAN BlUiKNA
729
his i'apurii ies, and also witlioiii, as ii was tlioui’hi, a riill and sulli-
authorilal i\'e (‘Xposih on i!u‘ llooi* of eitlun- House, of tlie
\‘ie\vs and uHiniali^ iidtudions of tlu‘ adininisl rat ion, in resp(‘ct to
(lu* inipoiiant luaKtu-s und(‘r dis<aission. dlu‘ <lisadvan( a<i'(*s rc™
sulfina’ fr(uu (his s(a((‘ of thing's was felt hy soiiU‘ of our most dis-
friiuids, and hy none nioia^ (han Mr. W'ri^hl hinisi^lf. I often
sought (o renualy (lu^ evil, hy hints to him, indiiaitive of a desire,
that he sliouid say in a s[)iH‘eh on tlu' tloor of the- Smiatta wliiat lie
kntnv ou!' simtinumts to he, hut without su(‘eess, and was in tlu^ tmd
driviui, hy the |»rt‘ssur(' of the lunerjjc^mey, to call at his lod^in<i;s
and to liavi* a talk with him, of whi<’li the followin|L!: was the sub-
staiUH^ :
‘‘.Mr. WriiBit!”
Mr. Van lUireii ! ” ja n‘S|u>nsr, tla^ rormaruy of wliich, was probubly prn-
(BieeB, by an unnsnnl <‘arn(‘stnnss Ui uiy niaiinrrj ** I am abnui lo talk to
yon in a way In wliirh I would not vtaduro to spoak to any othor rritaal
I hnv(‘ In tho workl, iuM-auso 1 ootild not t’o<d sulllolontly <’onii<lont that it
Would bo ro<'oi\'od in tho rbdd spirit.’"
“ Say on.”
“Arc >nu awaro liiat you iias<‘ lad, sinoo you liavt^ Iumui In lb(‘ Senatt%
roali/.otl I ho anticipation:; of >onr IrioinlsV”
” 1 atn, bid I am also awaja* (Ijal Ibt- I'anll doi\s not, rest on ino.”
** ( »u \v bom { bon V ”
“ibi ni> iriond;-, lor cinuashini'' o\poct at ions which an‘ not nuthori’/a*d by
an\ ( liin'.' I ha\ o o\ n* <hino.”
‘•'rhat i* a point in r«'spo»>t to wldcli iiU your t’rioinb; <li!Tor from you. I,
for one. Know that in thinkiiu' so, ^\ou d<» \oursctf injttsiico. Ua\inu rolVronce
to a chair and stmur. intolh‘ct, a souml Jmlrincnt, reasoning': powiu's of tlu^
hhdio t order, and portVet sincerity, integrity atid disjn(or<‘stodnoss !ti your
purpto r , the tn’<»por qualdics lor (ho loa<lor <d .such an adiuinist rat i<»n as th<‘
pro onf, >ott haw not y>\iv superior in the Scnalis 'I1ial is l!}t‘ opinion of all
your irieiid , and \ou iiiS' \ourseir only preventinl from laktnr: (he po.slllon Its
l',oneral tiutli a- irir: ti> \ou, by an t‘\ce.sN <d’ inodest.v, tin* e\istene(‘ id’ wldch
Ue all doplore,”
‘’'The parthditv y»»u ha\e JU'd eviia-ed Is a fair sample of that by which
iu\ irioiid Im^ehorii led intti 4-rror,’‘
” \ ou mu t allow u ; to jtnUM* ot (hat. 'The President, as well as in.vsidf,
feels find Ills, real xlrw'-i, ha\e not, thus far, been sultii’ieut !> de\(‘lopod on the
ipHU’ oi' oifher House < 'otuP'ess atul that the misr<*preseniations of his <*p
poit.-nf . derho flanr areati-u faeUitie*. fnuu timt .'ource. Wh* are desirous
that a hitlor and more aufhorilatUe esposition of them should be made at,
(ti*. ..iriU I ti! '(«■< Miitl tlinf should mako it. I >!’(‘.senl U-
ArToiuotniAPn V of martin van bukkn.
733
aiul thinics upon whiuli (Vmi>Tess had been all tho winter engae^ed,
(he neet‘ssily of a ehaiii>'(" of position was shadowed foiih in a wav
whieh was thouniit !ik(‘ly (o i>‘i\e the least o[l\uist\ and promised to
1)(^ tlu‘ inost idlVet.ivt\ resolutions wenu on t!u‘ Ist. ol' MaiH'ln
prt‘s(mti‘d hy theii* simior Stuiator, Mr. Silshee and aeeompani(*d
hy si‘t sp(H‘elu^s rr<Hn him and his eoll(‘a<i;u(s Mr. \\'(‘hstt‘i% in whieh
all thi‘ t hriNulhai'e suhj(‘ets of (.ht‘ st^ssion weri‘ onee more skillfully
rt‘ haslual and seiwaul up for tin* lunudit. of the Scmale and thc‘ public*.
On tlu‘ iTth of Marelu Mr. \\'c*hs(c‘i% havin^: trical motions of rcd‘
(u*cm<‘c‘ to the commit (i‘e of k'inanee, as the means (d‘ arrivin<i: at. a
proposition cd‘ that, ehai'acicu* in vain, pivc' notice that he* would, on
tht‘ m‘xt da\\ move for haivc^ to hrin^ in a liill “to n‘-c*hart(‘r thc^
hank of t!u‘ Onitcsl Statens."' On tlu^ iHih he made* the motion and
submitted!, with pi’eHminary rcanarks, tlu^ (‘opy of a Bill, accoi*din;LC
to which the* (‘liartiu* would be* (‘.\tc*nde*d as it- stood foi’ six yi‘ars.
\\duit<*\e*r may hn\'e* bc*e*n Mr. Olay's thoujLchts in i*(‘spe‘(‘t to this
mo\e‘me‘nt, lu* understood too we*ll the* fe‘(*rm‘i:s of the* hour, to (‘vince*
the* .slin'ht(‘st disrevq )(‘ct. (<> (la* Massachusc*! ts I je*<i^’islat ure*, out of
w ho: e pruccodinys tie* prop(i.^;it ion had sprunir, or to intt‘i*posc* e^h
: tac|(‘ ; to it pro. ei*i it ion by the* MassaciiUM‘t t s Sc‘naiors. He* was
mor«*o\i't“ puile MUM* that Mr. \\'el» ((‘Os noticH* and ITilI miLdit safc‘ly
be* hd’t to till* <p>pt>:.i( ion it wotd<l re‘ce‘iv(‘ from otlu*i’ <juarte*rs.
W hfii Mr. Web. ti*r took hi,: :M‘at, Mr. Le*i;Lrh of \'ir^inia rose* and
:aid, (hat the* i’<*mark of the* S<*nator from Massae‘husc*( ts i-e‘c|uire‘d
that he .*hould detine hi.: position. 'The I a*irislat urc* of \*ir^inia had,
he aid, pa (‘d a re oliilion, de*nyinn’ the* power of ( \)n<j:‘re*ss to
e tabl). h a bank, he liatl acce‘pf4‘<l hi . appointm<*nt with the* knowd
cHiye that uch were the* w i: he^; of his State*, and with it the* trust of
cai’cyine them into etlect, foumled, as th(*y wc'ia*, upon an opinion in
w hich !u‘ fully cimcurrc*d.
Mis \\ i*iiiht folhiW<‘i! Mr. Ia‘iixh, aimouiua‘d his d(*sire* to speak
on the : ubje*et and mo\ed an ael journmt'Ht which to<»k phna*. The*
<{U«‘ tion of lea\<* eana* up t*\ery meumiuir as untlnislu*d husint*ss,
wIh'u if wa fart her diseii'cd and a^ain laid o\e*r.
Mr. \\ ideht matle a lonir amt \i‘r\ aide* spi*e‘<di apiin.'-t the* const i
tnrnmalll \ <d‘ lie* pi*e ent, t»r any hank of the* lb S. lit* was re*pUi‘tl
b\ Mr Wfhvli.f Mr ('rillioini nniiointei‘d Idv; vveJi Oi
or niiv otluM* utdioiial hunk. Mr. \\ fiiti' i rtiiu* fc
the ilotn* uiul nuule uuotlu‘r (\v(> duvs speiH’h unuiii I f!u* <
iionalitv and t‘X|aHlienev ut a natunial haidv. Hr liiii ht*d
25111 of Maivlu a week aHer (lu‘ debate liad einunienetML W
AVhite eoneliided, Mr. Webster ro>e aiub after .MHuplaiuni?
leni[ 2 ,i lunu'd dt‘batt‘ wliith had ari'^en eti Id itaaifn. a tbits
he l)(die\‘ed had iu^vt‘r oeeuri’t's! before, naAs*sl Os la\ In ow i
on the lalde. On that niothnn Mr. F(sr-vtlu tt> mark at
which lie and his friends Innl derived fnnn the int isidmiis a
Mddister's notiets bv whi<‘h tlu* \eil was rsmt in twain and
niattcn’ in eontroversv, brounid btd<*rt^ tlu^ Sfoats- and ukh
to the <a)nntr\\ and probably to wajrrv Web. ts'r, t’all**<! bsi’
and no(‘s. Mi*. \\(*bs(er avowetl if to hr lii nitentnai tu e:
on a futui’t' (lav, but ht‘ ntwaa* did so, bi‘inn too iiappy Is^ br
from lh(‘ odium h(‘ had ineurnal by |mttiair hi part \ in a !;
lion. Ihit whilst thus \itddiiUi: Uy il'viv mandaisa b** «'<
fon^^o playing tlu' pari (d tin* dou^ in lh«‘ niamnaa b\ a
pointial as tin* haldilual dread in whieh In* .%io(s,i .tt Mr. < 1:
admit, at> tin* onlv pro[»ositiou tor ndi(*t tlnm btdtu't* the >s*
la Ills Jinlaaicnt I In* saisll any rt‘Ui‘f Tin* t)s** urr- rsa Ui tr* ■. n* i!)
must Ut‘ <’arri<*<l thrsaicli (*i»aert*Ns Uy thr as’Utus »>l nultli'' tannniu
Such was t he ( ! ist ra<’t f(l s( a 1 <h tin* <*< tiue mu 1 1 \ , that lu » rish*! » « »u h I h«
'till public Si’UtiiiH'Ut ea\c lUrcctiou tu st«mi* ’.|H-4‘Ua- mra tur an'!
(►hjt‘e( lu‘ had im>v«‘d Uu* leave t(» Intrntlucr the lUll. with a u* «
upon it in dm* season h(*i*eal’((*r.
Ml*. <’lav did not, in any slain* <d' tin* pro<'eedinp' - «>pei
npon tlu* subj(*et, farther than to say, b\ wa\ <v! I'emindei
“had a spt'cia! ordt*r, kmc* locked np in tin- debate nf tie
and to express his wish that anotlu'r week wiiidd !u im: it tt>
And throuohont tin* n^-idth* of tlie strui^’nb*, Mr. Web Itn-
eont(*nt t(> i'(*^i:ard him.’-a*lf >o far a it relateil to the infrod
subsfanti\(* proxisions for n*‘ir(*‘-s. a /n/M o/.v r-fh
ddn‘n* liave lH*en brief p(‘rio(ls, wln‘n the perM*nal le!
Mr. (’lav and Mr. W4*b."ft‘r wt*n* to all appearance «'urdi;il
(•(‘I’tain (*xtent, of a e(»idid(‘nt iai eliaraefer. Such w a
tliroU<i:li a eousid(‘rabl(* portion td' Mr. Adam ’ admini t r.i
(‘vt‘n lln*n, a.s wa* haveset'U, tht*y ' (um sutlered a. biller cb ani
thos(* I’ai’t* and Iimit(‘d exe(‘ptions, the ile eription 1 have b
of tin*!!* acts and feelinim [U'e-mufs, I eannof bm think, a
ti’nlhful x'iew of their political and per <»nal rebuiun , l»el
tiint* of Mr, Olay's lirst ae<*e: ion to the {‘‘(Mlrral Ib‘|nib!n
Al^'roBUXUIAlMl V OK MAKTIN VAN BITRKN.
73f)
d ihni. of his (U‘atli. This, h'w woll infornuHl rucmhers of that
rty would (‘o!isid(‘r t lu‘ius(»l vos at. lilnu-ly (o coni rovort. The per-
iual anxictit‘s attiuidin^' (his state' of thini>;s and the uuceasing
oris of ilu' proinint'iit supporte'rs <»(’ ilu' ptiriy to which they be-
,iii*('d to miiio'ate' tlu' obsiaedcs to success arising from it, were
litt'i's of nolorie'iy. The'rt' wiu’t' d i HVrenca'S in tlu'ir disposition an<l
upi'rauH'nl s, which made' harmonious action l)elW(H'n (henp for any
j^ih of time', or t'ven for a short pt'i'iod under (ryin^Li; (‘ircuni-
inccs t‘xt I'tuiH'ly ditlicnlt. I will not atte'inpt to partieadarist'. those
tlciH'nces, n(»r i*an it 1 m‘ lUMH'ssarv to sjiy, that in my estimation they
Ih'ct tlu‘ jLriX'ati'r <Te'dit on Mr. Clay, I hit there was an ('lenu'ut. of
scoi’d mort' potent than any that- ai*()Si‘ fnmi such sourc'C's. Of
osi' who now composi'd the' political [larty, tn whi(‘h th<\v then be-
aged, t he gr(‘at('st pro[>ortion, by far, probaldy nearly seven tc'uths,
;d !)i‘en nu'mbers of that in which Mr. W'ebsti'r ha<I bi'en rc'anah to
liich lu'. had always ht'longed and in whi<*h hi' had bi'conu' a h'adt'r,
ailst tin* nninbi'i* of tin* ri'cruits, Mr. Clay had In'i'n al»l(‘ to carry
ith him, from that in which lu' had bc'cn (‘dncati'd, and by which
‘ t < M» had bi‘<‘ii h ieh I honoi'cd, was <“om{ >a ra t i \s‘ly sma 11.
Mi*. t(*r had a rieiit to think that his tahmts W(‘re, in sonu'
‘sprefs ;■ np(*!'ior, ainl in all, at least, t‘([nal to those of Mr. (day.
lie latter, how (*\ CIS oon ac<{nirt‘tl a popularity and intluem't' in tin'
idvs (d’ their common party, which (‘<*lips(‘d his own, not wit hstand
g what he naturally rcn'arded as his snp<‘rior ad\'antages. It w'as
jt in human natnia* that In' fonhl e\a‘r bt'conn' p(‘!*f('(‘t ly ret’oncihnl
this pr«'r**r('nc<*, e\en if his di: posit it>ns had ht'i'ii mori* magnani
on,, and phn’ahh* tlian they wern. l>ul the exci'ptional oc{*nrrt*nct'S
ht'arfy funcnrrence in aim:, and <’ounc*ils, to whicli 1 alhuh'd, int('r
)M‘d fmm time t ime, tlispna li fy ing' him from ri'sist ing t In' supt'
or inlhn'in'e of ( 'lay in tin* mo\t‘nn*nts of tln'ir party, otln'iwvist* than
. stealth, ami !n*ue«* hi r^idt* inlrigut*:- t(> elu'ek tlie advance of (lie.
tt«T, com taut!) :t inndat(‘»l hy the coiiseiousness of tlu' true ehar»
*tm* iif the rrlation-. lu'fws'en them.
If wiutlil not he m'eesary to heyond tlu' inthu'iiet's resulting
•oin th*‘ e con- iiierat ions, mon* esp(*eia Ily wlien \ i<‘W(‘d in t'onneetiou
ith tin* Ml pinions Imhilu'd hy Mr, (day, duringMin' rec'ess, for ex-
lanatifin of the t'haraetei- I hast' a^t'rihed to tin* ri'latlons that
736
Ai\rKrvTrAX tttstok r ( ’AT. assoi ’t att ox ,
succesfi in. (lisereditinix ihe atlininist ration (if Prrsidont J
far at least as t<^ onaMt^ them to rontrol ihv elertion of liis
The puhlie man Avho aetetl (lu^ most (‘Hieitait part in the st
that eiuh would he, in tlie nadirt^ of thiiiL*:- and ae<aH'd
(•onrs(‘ (d‘ parti(‘s, their (‘hoiee for tin' sneees>ion.
.B(ytli Clav and Webster so mult‘rst<HHl tlu^ matter, and i
was detmaniruHl that t lie latter should not lie that man.
■^No farther attempt w'as made to elianp‘ t*lt!ier tht‘ sh
question or the modt‘ of tnaitinir' it which liad from the
})een iindei* IVfr, (^lavs (*X('Iusi\’t' {*ontrof. I ht^ deliate w
iniclv ri'snmed at th(‘ point wluua* it stood when Mr. \\el»t
t.o aia'oinplish thosi' ehaniii's «'onuntmend, and that \\a>
tlie inttmtion, not expia'ssiah hut widl uiuleistood, that fhi
gn on astlaw had maie, until Mr. (day slmuld deeith* th:
had arrivtal for tlu‘ int nuluet ion of a mon‘ detiuite proi>o-.
\V(‘ ndurn tlauudore to <mr tltwt‘ript ion of the mannei
th<‘ lalun's of panic makiim* the y’reat hu-ine. • oi ila* o
(‘hief fmduia* in the {dan, hy whiidi tln^ tJovermmmt wa i
awi'd devised in Mr. IViddteV elo>et ami entm’ed upon liy
th(‘ nu‘t‘tinir of ('onirrt‘ss wiu-e earrital mi.
ddu‘ a nt hor of proposition foi* re4lr(\s that had la
tluuuaiftm' to he, introilueed, Mr. (day, went al he\(md
coadjutors in tla^ varitdy and viidema* of the demineiat
iu* ImrUal, from his plai’c on the tloor <d tlie ^Senate, at t!u
and his constitutional adviser-, f<u’ the ^amr e they Innl
th(» mattm’s svhicli foiaiied tlie hurthmi of his complaint ■.
Manv <d* tht‘ mmnorials wei’i‘ :rui to him for pn* cut
s(‘ar(‘(* a tlav passial, tor months, in whicli hi tall and «
wns not to he seen, towmamr ulaoa^ his hdlow Senatoi*, , hu
tlu^ hiisN' in scattm'inef ."'(hmIs <if tliscord and alarm thro
land.
It woidd till a \a)lmm‘ (<i repeat and descrilie what h
did durimr those days of ceasc^less agitation. !h^ ditl not
observations noi*liis propositions to the partienlar mea-un
(‘ussion, hut introdmaal into it, or hy the side of it,
mattiu-, whieh lii‘ tliought miffh! aid in the maanupli !m
ini.jwyij /if 1 !» rnn 1 1 wy ?»fid O It t fie* /jf fpi* Of
AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF MARTIH VAN” BUREH.
737
to wliicli he was exposed but lie had steeled himself equally
the rebukes of others and his own reproach,
can notice only a few of his efforts to give the stamp and
of reality to a fictitious case, efforts as unresting, as toilsome,
[*^<7 fruitless as those of the unhappy Sysyphus of the classic
^^^lailst yet scarcely warm in his oficial seat and before he was
to issue his proclamation of outlawry against the old hero of
'White House, he launched at him a stinging bolt in the sliai:>e
a. Senatorial call for a copy of the paper he had read to liis
ivl>xnet containing his reasons for wishing to remove the deposits-
Olay could not have thought that he had a constitutional rig'ht
lYia^ke this call, and knew that it would not be complied with, but
b xrxxght he thought, irritate an inflammable temper and lead to the
•^l^iloition of some act of disrespect towards the Senate — a branch
hlxe Executive [Legislative] department which would justify or
the vehement denunciation with which he was prepared to
the President. The latter, however, understood a great deal
Lex* than his enemies supposed, when it might be useful to give
*\^ent to his feelings, and when it w^as wisest to qualify and sup-
> I'o.ss them. He sent to the Senate a brief respectful message, assign-
Treasons for refusing to comply with its request — reasons, the
^c> IX olxisiveness of which were but feebly controverted, even by the
m!t-Tx.or of the call, and thus placed on its files a document whicli
» ir ‘ox'cXed to his friends a gratifying contrast between the course he
lioxx^ht it proper to adopt in his intercourse wfith another branch
> I* tdie departments of the Government, at the head of which he had
placed by the people, and that of the Senate, on a subsequent
xx^xxsion towards himself. The matter w^as almost immediately
I i-ojpped in the Senate. If that bodj^ had been denied -what was
1 1 1 o -to it under the constitution, it wmuld not have submitted so
H ^M.clily and quietly to the response of the President.
IVIi'', Clay entered the Senate but a few mornings afterwards
a woe-begone countenance, which he was very capable of as-
a iixxixig, and instantly made the following communication to that
xxly-, which I give in the words of the reporter:
IVTi'- Clay said he had just heard through the public prints that one of the
738
AMMRIt’AN’ lUS'l'tiini'Al, ASSiH'lA'l'UtN.
tinioii t)JUik \Vi\B snfis juuI (hat (hi* Scrnaa!*) ui*i ;i aot'Uhohl
an aiiiount that liin ln(i*mst anulii Im* -uipim-rii i<* lj;i\r iv^hu-i
seltK*!. that iiank a« a ih*|H»siti>r.v of (In* pnlhif lit* h:o!
that; la approhtaisiori of a run on lla* ( aion hank, a tia-a ur\ arai'i
issiUHl in its favor for .$!5tk(HH> aiaf (hat if was Uio <lnf> •*!’ : la-
look into it. lit* " latil (!iori*fi>r<* pn‘paro(i Ua* ini |.r-A in.-, rr a.jut
lie hopod no .a'iaitioinan Wiaihl ohj<‘ot (o its tu-in:* adopioti ittaiinilint i
Umolvi'tf, dhiat (lu* »Si*i’rt*(ary of tho 'rrt‘astn'\ h*- dirraft-a tt.
flio i^onati*, wliat an»onnt of pulhio laonoy i-- now ttu deposit in
hank of Maryland: On whjit a«*t*iinnt II was dt‘]Mf4iod, ajal w f
trofisury drafts, <*ontlna’i‘n( or othor, tiavo hooii. darina fiio nmnih
18,14, furnisluMl to (hi* snlii hank, to onahh* It (o nion aii> dmia
inliLdit 1)0 tnjnii* npon It.
Mr. Ky>rsytlu wbo was novtn' silonl wln*M t!u* I’iniraiia'
friend was assailed, said:
If ( 1)0 i^enlhanafi liail IntroiltnHHi fh<* rostdttfion wilftour any rr'iiiiirk
have had no o!)ji*ftion to K, Ihu jtffor wiial hail t»oon siiid l»,y I ho ;
hi* thon.aht. wi* onaht (n hav(* sona* llmo (o ,st‘o iln* roNofuiiMiu It
that (hi* S(*('rt*(ary of (in* 'rrmsary was a jdookliofthT in Iho I'lihiii
knt*w’ nodiina' («» w’hal t'Xtoni, l»nt in* had no hoA.ii;!Ho!i In sa.) In;
inlori‘s(: of I la* Si*cri*(ary, wini(.i*vi*r it niitdd ho, had I fa* sliot)
on liini In .sidootina’ (la* hatjk as oni* of tho puhllo oto|i«*sltorii*.s!.
Tlio rosiilnti-nn \vas pjisstnl w!ii‘n it. t*anh* nii in its unltd
Th(‘ duliost iin;i<rinat ion would not iiinl it diilii’nlt to a]
tlie injurious i*iret*ls wliiet) sn<*h an anin>unoojn)*n( otmii
such a nuin delivered in sihdi a plaoo ami at , u*’!} an
periiaL was almost ta*rtain (o ha\t* fijjun fio( milv iln* iidoi
the safety i*V{*n of tin* l*ank wliioh wa tun. a- ailod, atoi
I>ieion and tlislrnst it was ejileulatoi! t;> oa t upon iho «'lia
one of tin* [mri*st ini*n in tin* ofdmtry, (ht*n hut jii | iuitof
tlie duties of a hijifhly re*-pondh|o <dIior am! ujam a pro;
nn‘asuri% t!'n*n in its i*ar!it*d staov, am! u:-: \i*t iinforulio.
favorable judirment of the lh*op|o lunv happilm ju urn-d
j)lamlod by (*\a‘ry Invnest lieurt^ of wha(o\of' pfditioal propM
If Mr, <’h)y had sto|>petl with what ho had foad its fho p:
would not l)a\e lH*en hlanieth for ho umild hut hau- ropoal
was alroady lH‘rort‘ tin* pnhlie and what wa of im o*ui ,m|
any sjui* the hank reportiHl to haM* failod and it . doalm* .
disturbing matters lie thus pn!>!is1n*d, wen* on mere hoar av
ity; in* liad ln*ard this ularinini** ditno' ho!*n inh»r-n!,«d .,r
AlTTOIUOtiRAPlIY OF AlATtTIN’ YAK lUUtFN'.
739
t‘ral alarm, rulmiiiafial fi’oni llu‘ S(‘iiai(‘ chamlxR’ lo work flu'ir
miM*hic‘Vous i^HVcls mid! thi\v should 1 k‘ o\i‘rtaki‘n by llu‘ compara
tivcdy tardy movement of ollii'ial I'ld'utadon.
Hrcivtaiw d'ant'y dolaytal only lonu* tmougli to tmabk‘ him to wi’itt‘
to tho lhH‘sidimt of ihi‘ hank to obtain a stabmumt. of his own stock
t I’ansactions which lu* t I’ansmittial as soon as ri‘ct‘i\'c(l to the StMia(i%
\\'ith a communicat ion, in which h(‘ assumed, as he was bouml to do,
that tlu‘ imquiiT in i‘eii:ard to the stock lu‘ ludd in tlu‘ bank, pointial
to tlu‘ motivi's by whicli he had beim inlliKmcial in his ollicial ticls,
and tlH‘refor(‘ thunamkal at. his hands tlu‘ fulk'st. disclosuri^ of them,
lie stati‘d that tlu^ inqort. that had rcaidual Mr. (day's lairs ''that a
trt'asury draft had biam issued to the Ibiion bank, to (Uiablt' it to iiuad.
any <lemands tliat mi^'ht b(‘. mack^ upon it '' was uttcudy ^’rotmdk'ss
that no d'l’iaisury drafts, contin^imt, or otlunnvise, wer(‘ furnishiMl
to the I’niou bank (d’ Maryland, during* th(‘. month of March is;»l,"
and that no d'r(‘asury draft, or draft- of any desci-iption cont in^L^mit ,
or otluu’wise, had evci* lunm fui’nisla'd to th(‘ bank of Maryland, sincci
hi‘ came into otbu'e. Mi\ d'aiuw's letter was, on Mr. (day's motion,
ordcr<‘<I to be {)rint(‘d and r<dVrr(‘d to the ( ’ommit tia* on k'inance, on
\\h<>:.c till*;-, it sk'pt tln' sk‘cp of dtadh, by tlu‘ si(k‘ of hundri'ds, not.
to : ay tlmusands of di; tress memor'ials, wliich had al: o biam ridcri’isl
to it.
Ml*, (dav ne\aM* apiin alluded to tlu' subject, not, (‘ven wlam Mr.
d'anm 's nomination, a Secredary of th(‘ d'rcasury wa-' consi<leriMl ami
nqi'cied b\ I he Simalts nor \\ ;\^ tlau’t*, 1 luditoan a sina'le man, how >
i'\crdecpl\ . tiMqxnl in [»arty ptditics, not i‘Xct*ptiiLY Mr. (day liimstdr,
who harboi’c<l a doubt (d* tin* eiitiri* purity (d’ his | Mr. d'an(‘y| mo
ti\(*s and a<’ts in tin* w hok‘ matter.
Xol ctHilcnl with lb{‘ daily di.cu-icHis (ui his o’cneral resolutions,
dcnoiinciuL*' the Ih'csitkmt for th<‘ laumnal of the <k‘[>o its and the
?eparati‘ sptH‘ch(‘S <d' tin* Senatoi’s on tla^ presentation of each
menioriak Mr. (day inlrodm*ed a nxsoluiion in t met ini»* t!u‘ ( 'om ’
mil tec on k'inanct‘ to em|uire am! nqiort on lht‘ pi’opritdy of e’ivine-
relief I>y extcndiuir the time of payimmt Ufam r(‘\(*nnc bonds, dlii,-;
resolution wa*' kepi bid’tU't* the Senate fm* more than a month, and
matli* the : uhjeet < d* protraefed dehate, d Inu’e Were t!ui ; provid(‘<l
three <laily ehamud.'. bu* the <li ■ • <*minat ion <d’ panic \i/. : tlu‘ pn* en
V,JL I UK I 1 iit VV » »
}iiin>(Iu(‘e(i two of thr subjiu't-^ an«l lai'L!vl\ pai'i u’lpait*. 1 in i
iza.tioii of the other, was awart* of the neei- ifv of rvle
l) 0 (l\', aiui luore. (*>|a‘eially tlu* jaihlit* niiial Iroui the irilnu
(‘ontiiuiet! (h*hat(*s in a lorni are! fhereloij* i-iippl
l)oth with a eoiisiaiit ehanyi‘ of tii.-hi*--, thoiioh \\u* fiHHl e
east's thi* samta Aflt'i’ (ht‘ tli' niS' ion on tlie laiita' re oh
alrt'adv Ihm'ii of lon<i: eontintianee, it oeeuried io one rd I
tors, friendly to the adininist rat itau to t*n<{uire of the ( hail
t.ht‘. illthdi»'t'net‘ propostal to i‘e eXftaaled, had hetai a^ked
inercluuits, aial on ln'inti; informeil tliat {u> petition, or ap
io that tdlVi'f had het'U nnnh‘ h\ them, tin* imijuiraiie Se
j('ete<l furtlua* to the I't'soliu ioti, tlu* manih* t ifHpropf"it*t y i
n[)on so intelligent, aiul shrewd a ela s ol tlu* puhln
an indulii'enee (d* whi<*h they had iu‘! .-.Mfru'ient ly l'*h she
to i lu‘niS(‘l \ t‘S the (rosihle of sippiwsir’' {or it, and that
i.iiue wlu'n thi* preilietions ol, and lamentation'; <!\er t!
I)atdvrnptey ol' \\io national treasury uere amouo the i!ai
of the Simatt^ ( 'hainln'r.
Thi\ opposition to tlu^ nwolntion, tlius :d reiu^'theMni, ua
sullieient forei' to lay it upon the tahlu ami friuu v. hieh,
re^ardine- it as Inn inn: eont rihut<‘d it ; hai'i* toward . tlie e:
|)anie, made iso atts‘nspt to raise it.
Mith(*r forp'ttiuLT that Mr. \\eh:t«‘r had . oim* tiino In
mitts'd a resoliitism in:d rusd iuy Id ' (‘oinmitter to **t‘n(|ni!’«
prohahU* (‘llVet of tht* piam-ist slah* <d’ s'omusereial all'ai
r(‘\H*niu* <d’ tin* I iiits’d Statt**', or not eojnineed, a lie oup!
het*n, h\' \\'(‘hst(‘rV .suhss‘(|uent and ominous : ilenee upon tl
that the hsi.-iness of panit* making: woukl ileri\e no aid
sounan Mr. ('lay oUVreil re,"olntion. eallinp npon tlm Se«
tin* dha*asury to ia*port tlu* amount of dutie reeinual am! a
foreiini iuip<irts ilurtnj^ tlu* 1st i|Uarts*r <d’ t liewiup
parati\'i* anmunt tiiat (juarts*!* and the eorre pen
in and also \%het!u*r any tliinp: had iH’enrred inei* !
rep<»rt to ehanp* Ids opinion in r(‘r.pt‘et tts llse prohahk* re\e
imports for ISrM.
Tlu* friemls of tlu* administ ration, isavin|jc hail ttiesr atfj*n1
io tlu* suhj<‘el by Mr. \Vel)stt*r's m(s\'i*nu*iit , had po m* , ed f
of tlu* tiau* st;it(* of tlie ease, and <!isp4*ns«*d with tlu* rule
two ress<line:s ami on dinVn*nt days of said resolution ., a
to pass forlliwith. 'Flu* Seeretaiw's ia‘port hewed an
almost t(*n millions of imports durin.if the first half of I"*.’
AITTOlilOcaiAPllY OF MARTIN* VAN* BITREN.
741
It is scar(‘o1\' iuH*ess:iry to say that Mr. (May, after tliis to him im™
]>a!atal>!(‘ disclosiirt^ was inadts became as siliail u|>o!i lh(‘ subject as
.Ml-. \\t‘bst(U*. lioth \v(‘re uot only disappointed, but discomtit(‘d
l)y tlu‘ n‘sidt of tlu‘ir invc^stiii'at ions, with t he di IhuHuice, that, the Iat~
(vr IkuI bet*n tlu‘ most cautious in his mov(‘nu*nts and had tluu'eliv ex-
p<KSi‘d himstdfto K‘ss niort ilitad ion.
At. anotiuu- tinu‘ wt‘ tin<l Mr. (May pluno-(‘d with his usual im-
piMuosity in an (‘xcitinijf (hdadc' with ilu* Xt‘W ^ o!*k Scaiatoi's, Silas
Wridit. and NatlianicM \\ 1'alnia<|o-c, (the latter, Mr. (May's subse-
(fiumt ally, but (him in a stat(‘ of comparative' inno<H‘n<*(‘ ) in iH'spt'ct
to tiumsolidity of the NM'w 'ti'ork SafeMy fund system," upon which
h(‘, aided l)y Mr. \\t*l>sti‘r, had ma,le an ana*ry and we'll pre'pare'd
assault. IleuH' we‘ ha\'e' anothe'imind an inst laict i ve* illustration of the'
true' charactea* of (lu'ir (‘omplaints in re'iicard to the' de'st ruction of the^
coididenct' <d tlu^ pe‘ople' in ihe‘ pe‘cuniary conci'i'ns of the' (\umtrv
ami of the propositiems foi* tlu'ir re'lic'f. I have' brit'tly re'buTiMl to
thissystemi lu'fon*, lia vin,<x aidi'd in its const met ion and assunu'd th('>
pi’incifad !’<*; ponsibility for its adoption, it had, to the' day of this
assault upon it, siipplies! the laru’cst. ami most, comna'reial state' e)f
the' ( onft'ileracy with a pa [a'l* (’urre'ucy, un w hie'li hen* people had not
lost a siuii’li* el^^llar and at that monu'iit posse'ssi'el lludi' fulh'st coio
fieieuct^ as it would in all like'lihood ha\'e' continiU'd to elo t<^ the' pre's
I'ut. time', if the* peditical powe'r e)f the* State* hael not unlnippily falle'u
into the* hands of a ('las;-: (d‘ me'U who use*d it to ove'rturn the* tinaimial
and e'comanical syste'ius, <li‘\ise*d and maturH'el by tl»e>se' mode's! ami
l^n|>ret(*mlin^^^ but able* public se'rvanis and " iu'ne'factors, W'ri^ht,
llolFman, ^Ma^^;L^ ami thi'ir assoe'iait's, umh'r the* inlhu'nce' of w’hicli
the* State*, in tlu'ir day, sipially j)nespe're'el.
M1h* ‘-alety fund : yste'm was the're'fore* naturally an ewe' sore* to the*
panie* maki'r.s, pre-e'ut in^^ a spot, and llud not a small om*, e'ither
in its e*xte*nt or in (he* aimaint of busim*ss afforded by its inllut'uce',
whose* ismdition furnirdH'el a stamline; re'futat ion, f>rae*ti<’al ami <*on
elusive*, of the* assumption of a e*i‘m‘rul dt‘raneje‘nu*at of the* e'Urre'imy,
so conflde'ntly aelvunced by the* aelvocates of the* baid< ; ami the* tah'nts
and imlustry of (May ami Wt'bsle'r we're* fen^ that i'<*ason ac*tive‘ly di
re'cleal to its premt ration. He*m'e' tlu'ir laboresd ctbuis to impair the*.
742
AMMIUC’.AN' HISTOliU’Ali ASSt )( UATION .
iriiirlit liavc saved themselves a uTi'ai ih‘al of trouiih^. d1u
O '
not recommend the. Safety Fund Syshan to tlu^st* who C'-sa
be it ^ 0 ()(h or had. It. canu‘ from Nhwv ^’ork.''
That tlic excitement whicli was ki‘pt up tluriniy the wlr
session of (k)ni!;ress^ to \vhi<*h the p(‘opli% almo>t with one
atta,che<l the tippidlat ion of tiu' Pani(‘ Si'ssion '' by whie!
as I IniA'e siiuh evei* since heim (list inn’nislnal was not tli
qvience of real ^‘rievances felt hv tlu^ i^reat hotly of t!u‘ pet
the result of factions and extramams nuams pni'postdy de
produce it, was clearly seeii in all the movements ttf its ai
es|')e.cially in tluase shifts to whi(‘h Mr. (lay, tin* pau'rali:
their oi^Huaitions, was driven, to pn^vitle adiHjuate snhjeets
cessful a^i>*itation.
d'lu' constitution directs, in (‘Xpnsss t(U‘nis, that tin* ollicm
Federal < Jovernmeut shall he appoint(‘d hy tht‘ Frt*.-;idtmt
silent in regard to tht‘ authoi‘ity hy which tluw may In* r
A (fuestion was raised at. (lu‘ comnameeiiumt of the (io\t
upon t,he latter point, was (‘lahorattdy diseusstah and a;- v
posed, was (inally det‘id(‘d hy tlH‘ lirsi Fongre*;., in favoi
|)ow(‘r of r(‘moval hy (lu‘ Pn‘sidimt. 'That ecju truetion li:
been geiu*rally acquit‘sced in, and had hcim acted upon,
intermission, by <*v(‘ry Pr<‘si<hmt, not t‘xct‘p{ing Mr. Ad
th(‘ head of \\ host* (Ad>in(‘t stood Mr. (day. d'he iUM-e'—ilie
pr(,‘S(mt. position drovi* the latter to atti*mpt to ga 1 \‘ani'/.(* i
life that longsetthHl (juestion, and to that end lu* ollVred, wi
sohaunity, a si*ri{‘.s of la^solntionsd dtmying tlu* ptiwaa* aiul t
ing its (*X(‘r(‘is(‘, wiiieh, after hiding ki*pt ludort* iht* S«*nat
month, and n.sed for tlu* pm*pose for wldudi they wtu’e intro
that (d‘ agitation wen* allowed to \w on tin* table, on wldn
hered, without risk of hiding distitrht'd, so many similar pi'up
introdneinl only for (‘tlVcd, without an idt*a on the part-
authors (d* pr(‘ssing (hem to snt‘ei*ssful (dfoiis.
Among his ‘^"gn at guns'’ for tin* <‘atnpaign, Mr. (day
with (‘ontidt‘net‘ on the <*tlV(*ls of tin* proetaalings !u* desiir
adoiited in regard to his Bill foi‘ the (list rihu( i(»n (d’ tin* ]
of the public. lands among tin* States, which had IxMn pas- e
Bill would, from tliaf causo alone, fail to become a law. But always
anxious to have bis constitueuls know and umb'rsttuul the principles
upon which he tu'ted, and on this occaision particularly desirous
reason the matltvr out Ix^fore. the pc'ople,’’*' he sent the Ibdl to tlie
Senate at their ensuing* session, with a messa^v *■ informino; them of
his inability to (‘oi^sider it before the <‘lose of the last session on
account, of the latem‘ss of the time when it was received by him, but
<>:ivin^ liis reasons at lar^e, why he (*ould not ai)prove it.
It was in a, r(‘ply to this document upon a subject of sucli vast in-
terest, that Mr. (hay thou< 2 :ht he could, especially in the then exe'ited
state of the i)ublie mind, j)roduce a ^nait sensation. To that end
he introduced- a. new Bill, of precisely the same character, had it
rehuavd to the committee on tluv publie* htnds, of which he was a
member, where it was retained some live months befoia^ he made his
intended reply to the ar<i:ument of the Presidtmt, in the shape of a
report fi*om the (hmmitte'e. 1 doul)t wludher lu‘ (‘vm- took moi*e
])ains with a public document- than lie besiowetl on this, o!‘ (‘ver
(‘luu’islual loftieu* ant ici[)a( iems of th(‘ su<‘C{‘ss of any pai>(‘r oi* spcaadi
of which he was th(‘ aut hor. My fi-iemd Mi*. \\'ri,i»’ht. onceMuitortained
nu^ with a description of a. s<‘en(‘. that (ranspii’tMl in tht‘. course' of it.s
])rei)aratioio which I can sea* no objection to my re'ptait in<»; lu'rc'. He
and Mr*. John M. Clayton, St'uator fi*om I)ed(ovaia% though dillVi'inir;
Avid(‘ly in t-lu'ir |)olil ical \‘ie*wsand associat ions, fornual for* tau'h other*
strouii; ptu'sonal attachnumts, ami ofte'n amusial thcmsc'lvi's by talk-
ini*; without. i*e‘S(‘i*V(* of o<*cm*i‘(mc(‘s that arose behind the' se'e'ire's, in
llu'ii* r(‘sp(‘ct i V(‘ politie*al camps, conlide'irt as t he'V both we're', that. ne>
inrpre>pei* use'. we>\del be ma<le‘. of the' conhele'ntial communi<*at ions in
which t lu'V inehd/j^H'el t he'inse'l ve'S. ( )n s|>e‘akin<x ter Mr*, (daytern erf
Ml*, (day's ra'port, shoi*tIy afte'r it. hael lu'e'n inaele', Mr, Wi’ijLrht- ol)-
s('i‘V(‘d, with natru'al surprise, that the subje'ct, in itself ejuite urn
amusing*, e'Xcite'el mue*h me'ri'imemt in his frii'nel, which the', latte'.r
maele ner e'tfeul. to cont!*ol, but on the' eamt rarw pi’exa'e'di'el at. ejneu' lo
explain. Mr. (day, he*, saiel, wlu'n hi', had tamiple'te'd his re'port, sum-
mone'd Watkins Li'i^Lch, of \'ir^inia, liohe'rt Le'tche'i* a repr-('seniat-ive
from Ki'utuedvy, an old and pnrtie‘ular friend, and himself to his
room, to lu'ar it- re*a<l anel to ^nve' their opinlems upon its cemtents.
Tlu'.y atte'iided at. the* appointed time* ami found Mr*, (day with the
verluminous dercume'nt, which rt‘<{nii*e‘d two hour's in the*, n'adin.ir,
he'fore* him. It. was iir the' month ed’ May, hut the* evenings we're* yed.
<*ooh and tlu'ir host, line! dircede'd the* matewials for a mnn\ wood tiiv.
ter he*. pla<‘(‘d on the* aiulirems, anel after li^rhiinir it himself, he* toerk
paper, as far as they heard the !H‘adin,a\ aiui : t> t‘\|ire:' -C'l
which t()j 2 ;e(lier with (lu‘ intt'resl ht^ hineeli i'dt in it, ex<
Clay coiisidertibly tuul he rt‘atl on with iiSTearinu aniinali
havini^ all dined out, where tiu* wines liad met their appi
the. fire. be(‘oinina; a rousiiia oiu' -tlH‘ thrtn‘ i'oun.sdlnrs som
to the. <>‘enial warinih of the rooiin and their at tent inn «
slaekened until they suet‘essiv<dy iidi inti> a eound sleep. ^ I
ha.ve been their state' foi'scweral minutes ludnre Mr. ( la\ s
was (lir(H‘ted to tlu'ii* eondilion by Ltaehei's Mini in, a. ( la
himself first aroused hy the loud and ana'pv tones of Mr.
found the latter standing: in thi‘ middh* of the nnun ; w-
Lct(*her, who was in tlu^ aet. of making hi;’ <‘seape ti'om it, a
he vehemently uphrjiided with i-omina t<^ him ahaiy with ti
all in a state of intoxieat ion. "^Old daeksmi him; nl f : a li
deseril)in<i: the s<‘eno, was never in a arealer passmn,
stormed louder.’’’
The report was able, and if it bad luam, in one n‘ peet. n
fully eonstrueteal, would hav(‘ been beitim eahailateil to pr
dc'si^ned edhad. Its a,’reat lU’ror eonsisted in tie' prouiinen
to the retention of (he F>ill at the preetalin^’ se:, i(un a - a
faidt on the part, of the Ih'esidmii . 1'hlr ehaiyv w a
unjust, and (lu'ohjiad in siUHliny it to him durlfes the e\jhn
of the s(\ssion, so obvious, as (n shoek all unprej tidiertl mil
])rc\'(Mit t I kmu from doiiiii; just i<a‘ to tlu‘ ri'finrl in othei* rt* |
Mr. Forsyth, ever |>rompt. to st^i/.e tht‘ advantage (dlere-
errors, pi*essed this ol>jeet ion w ith tlia-iihal tdbaa on tla^ eiu
the report, and was ably seeonded, in tliis moMamad, by ^
of Alabama.
Mr. ( 'lay's eouidjutors in tin' Simate, pa rt ii‘1 pat in, ii* fii
extreme views, all eoutributed tln^ir aiil in blowing* the t
distrust and alai’in. Fvtay mattiu” tlni! eonld e\eiti\ or
keej) alive prejudiet's and resentmmd;' ayain. t tin* old <di
bead of the (hwenimcait, was pn^ssinl into serviem Mr
l)r()u^1it. in a bill to ri^peal tht' h'ore(‘ P/ill " of the (uawio
a measuiv., that, at tlie tiuu'. of its pas. aae, pro(lm*ed tulei
meat in South (hrolina, without tin* sliahtt* t iiUenit«m ol
ing to pass it, as his confederates in the grtait <hji*e( af i
would upon tile exhiliiiion of sueh a design, leave been
unite witli the friends of the administ ration to |>!’e\ent it
but undm*slan<!ing his motiven tiny so winluMl at hi . (*m
resuscitate tlu' public, intcu’est In tlu‘ sub}(*et and to hm* it
head an<l bloody bones” with vvhitdi io keep alive alarms a
AUTOBIOGBAPHY OB MABTII^ VAI^ BUREF.
Y45
Mr. Ewing,^ of Ohio, a most indefatigable agitator, possessed of
highly respectable talents, and capable of almost any extent of phy-
sical indurance, was made chairman of the Committee on Post Offices.
The overhauling of this department had, from the beginning, been
regarded by Mr. Clay as a rich mine. He had been brought up with
Major Barry, who had unhappily been placed at its head, and
laiew him to be an honest man, of kind and generous disioosition ;
but illy qualified to resist the importunity of that class, which is
always to be found besieging the Treasury, and many of whom, at
the time of which we write, clung to the skirts of such men as Col.
Eichard M. Johnson and the Postmaster General. It was equally
well understood that the gallant Colonel, though among the bravest
of the brave and patriotic and honest, was also, to a great extent,
subject to the infirmity which disqualified Major Barry for such a
post as he filled, and was not more to be relied upon to check the
cupidity of his friends. These were, most of them, Kentucky peo];)le,
whom Mr. Clay knew as the saying is, ^dike a book.” It was to the
short comings of that department, therefore, more than any other,
that he looked for essential aid, in the w^ork he had undertaken, and
his friend Ewing pursued the Postmaster General with a vengeance.
Certainly no department of the Government had ever before been
subject to so severe an ordeal, and it is equally certain that the ad-
ministration was more damaged by the operations of that branch of
the Government than by that of all the others. Many faults had
doubtless been committed, not a’ few petty larcenies had escaped
the notice of its chief, and its general administration had been far
less thrifty and methodical than it ought to have been, but I be-
lieve I do not greatly err when I say that Major Barry left it with-
out any serious impeaclnnent of his character as an honest and hon-
orable man, in the estimation even of his political enemies, and he
had no other.
Mr. Poindexter, one of the Senators from Mississippi, a man who
was never so much in his element as when surrounded by public ex-
citment aroused to its highest point, and who possessed a talent for
raising it not excelled by any of his contemporaries, was placed at
the head of the Committee bn public lands. Endow^ed with abilities,
AUTOlUOdRAIMlV: OF IMATITIK VAIST BUIIEK.
7
ably prudcait: i^ersoiis outilit to Uavo stooil “at ease” and tauployinonl, \v
bi.uii \vaji.'rs, alHrundinj;' for workinii: nuau If t!u‘ of tlu‘ wliolosonion
(>r llu' cuiTt'iK'y has vioUad'ly t r:mslVri*(*d to slo<*k-L:,ani]>U‘rs and mon
sIiaN’i'rs, through i,u:n<»ranc(‘ of its natiir(\ oi* from any otlua* oause, Ihn fa
(loos not r(‘si witii us nor shall s\(‘ rtuiiain nouti'al, and (pruMly sullen* <
))arf in tin* roiiuuon distr(‘r:s or ruin (hat sotuus to iiniHMid.
( ^>nlld(‘no(‘ in Anu'rioan st<»oks has Ixhmi nd.aidily shak(Mi in hhn*oi>(\ and i
“ huri’ah ” of tlu' multiliuh^ \vi!I lad ndiene* us for lh(‘ want, of tlKuan
a sin.a'l(‘ instance' out (d* iuany In'l'en'e' ns, we‘ may ohse'rves that oiu' of our s
si*rihe*rs, in this oily, has re‘i‘e'iv<‘d hy tlu' last packed, ship from 1 /ivi'rpool, a 1
(e'f from Ids corn'sponeh'ut, an intedli^A’e'id Scoltish [(irnicr, in which he' diro
that all his funds in (he* I’nitod State's he' colle'e'te'd from the' .sontJi and in
wlu're' tlu'.v are' now ompl(i.\od, and invt'ste'd as safe'ly as possible' in lialiinu
nnde'r the' inHiu'dia (*' care' of his frie'iid ,a;ivin.a‘ as a re*ason for the' olunni’e'
(h're'd, the' clamor I’aise'd hy “tlie* .a:<»v<‘rnine‘n( ” aiudnsi the' Unite'd State's ha
wide*h would force' it. (o curtail its a<'<‘<mimoda t ions to the' (lountry, and cre;
pre'iit distre'ss in the' (Mumnunity, hy unse'tilini; the' curre'ncy.
ddie' write'!* of the' le'tte'r above' allude'd to re'Side'd a a:ood many ye'ars in
llnite'd Sttde'S ;ind transacte'd a lara'e' business on re'tuiudna’ home' he' le'ft
hind him no small amomit ed' funds which he* thoua’ld Imppily inve'ste'd, Ji
without a de'sirc to disturb Ihmu; lad at htldtl miles distance', he' iias sce'ii
proacldnu' e'\‘onts as wo saw thorn, and pe're'inptorily orde'i’e'd that all his feii
shall !»(' coiK'e’iil I’ate'ei in (In' chai’c.e' <d’ his frie'iid, and so dopeesite'd (hat tl
may he* at his own .'Hire disposal, whe'u calhMl for. lie* foe'ls that our hit ho
unrie alle'd curre'Ue'.s can not he* hms.t'r ^•e‘^i«*d on, and will p!*ohahl.\' wit lull
ids funds. He' had, fiorhaps, ju.st soon the* jeape'r “ re'ad to the' (’ahine'l ” in
Ke'.u'isle'r, (which is re‘<*e‘i\od hy him) and iu'uce' (he* dooision that ho lias ina
r»ut ne'illn'!* the* o\citomo;d, nor the p)’e‘^:sure‘, has ye't ne*arly I’oaohe'd the*
te'ut to which hotii will preM-en-d. h)\e*ry da.s‘ adds failure* to failure*, ndse'ry
mise‘i*y, anel re'due’e's the* iin'ans of the* most seelve'td (it'rsons. Many me*!), as .e
pay lla'ir e/c/z/.s* hi/ rj-Jui i/st iiit; tlu'ir fe»rluiu*s, In sa<*rllic(*s to proseu’ve* If
crnUi ! A me'inlH’r eef the* jor.j dal tire* td’ Massachuse't ts late'ly said in his pf
that $2,01 Hr, OOP hud he'e'U paiel, in (iiat Slate*, for vxtni i!de*rt*sts since* the*
moval ed’ (he* eh'poslls. W'e' Ihink that this is h'ss than the* truth, in a <*omi
uity so e‘mine*utl>' comuu're'ial as the' Slate* iiame'eL It is our ophdem, ele'ri
I'i'om se*\i'ral com (‘r.‘;n(ious willi pi^rsons w ho tn/t/fii to know, lliat (he d:
amount <d’ saviiif/s in PmUimore* ameands to $100, (MHh
W'iili ai’tie'le's like' tlu'se*, nlniosl w'holly on iountlc'd in tlu'ir uui
rial axsuiiipt ions and su<i’^(‘s( ions, was ilie coniftd’y lit(*i*all\' flooe
ilu’edi^hont. I lit' panic st'ssion.
''Flit* ('.\le*ni. Ie» which Ihc country was thus alarnu'd, lu'i* pul
(‘ounscls elist raedt'el, and he*r husine'ss ptiralyze'd wilhe've'U at. this e;
spread iar anil wnle tnrou,a*n a lunoiru anu uniui\
to tlie p]a<*e froni whiniee lliey <'anu\ in tlu‘ \tu‘!nn> -ha|u*;
(ress nuanorials, the inflanunal orv proriaaiinas (»f piiMii* f
l)a('ke(h as has been slaliah by ilistre.-s eoiniuittfes fi'niu all
(he country. brina'i^^U' tiilina'-^ !’t‘sen( iihuiIs ot (he |um;
(illina bhe. ears of nieinlnu’s with jci'eniiails of prcsmil tlist
coinina war.
Th(‘ ilenouemiait of this conspli*acy a^ain;*! (he Miprtuiiac
])o[)ulai* will anil (lu‘ in<l(‘p(‘n<li‘n( ar{i<»n <»f its Icait iniai r(‘|
tiv(‘s had fortunately (n Ik* disclosed in the pre .<*iice oj (lu
(d* thi' administration in (lit* lu'o IIou-i^s. eoieuitulina a nia
th(‘. populai* branch, and ni*arly a moiety of the Senate, and
ini>; in their ranks as nobh^ spirits as evi‘r ludort* irraetal a
cause, 1)V whom tlu‘ whoh* schtune wa: thoroughly umhu*: !<»»
(‘ourse denounced with nnsparini*’ se\erity. 'Ilu'rs* <lt‘nni
ami tlu‘ criminations and recrlminat ions to \shich they y
produced on hut h sides the most anirrv feidine- , ami ear<*i‘
[)assed, for three smaav-sis’e intent hs withont llie t‘\hihition <
of words hi‘tween individiuil memhers, ^-oine (d uhhai
diiraadlv pn^venttal frt)m ftirnishine; oeea ion for iiu tih‘ i
d'he Smiatt'chamher, so Ion<>: tht‘ fornm in which frraw' and \
Senators discussed and matured nH*a: tires apper! a ininn’ to tl
welfare, was unhappily ma<!e to ri‘semhle more an rtrena fo
torial (‘xhibit ions <d‘ partisan eoidliet-. '11, le eon lit •!( iona ! i
1)\' which my olh<‘iaI action was principally coniimnl to the
mnj)irae'(n ami th(‘ conscijiicnt pi'oprii‘ty of my p(i ifion, s
from, the tiauptation of part icipatinnf in the. c !)it!e!' fei
should ha\’i‘ protectml me airainst auy at tempi;' to invoh t‘ na
ajU'ainsi my will.
My inau<i:ural addix^ss., to which not a lisp, in the way i
lion was nttei'cd in any ((uarter, and the iiheral ami Impart
in which I cnterixl upon ami continuml th<‘ discharge of l
of thc‘ chaijx a lilicrality^ in tiu* siMfueh admitted hy alb coi
the leaders of ilie opposition to posi|)one, thoujch oln ituisiy
))eared to me, much against- tlicir individual wislics, the
upon ni(» which were foresliadowetl ladorc nty a!’ri\al ami co
predicted on all sides. I'he moil ifnait ion <M’ca>ioned hy this
upon (h(‘. gratilicaiion of long cherished ant icipat ions, wa
mind, obviously im’riaiseil by the s<M*iai ami seemingly fri*
lations whidi Iiad, atthe {>eriod to wlhnli I am about to ludV*
up between most of the opposition Senators and mysidf,
so inconsistent^ with the grave eiiarges ui>on whi«’h tlu^ re!
AUTOBIOGRAPHY OP MARTIH YAK BUREIT. 749
which the people of the U. States had pronounced upon the treat-
ment I had received.
To this respectful, familiar and agreeable intercourse whenever
we met, whether whilst performing our respective duties in the
Senate, or at social meetings elsewhere, and in which many co-
operated, who I was V' ell satisfied deprecated its existence, there were
a few minor, and two prominent exceptions, viz : Mr. Calhoun and
Senator Poindexter. In the account I have heretofore given of the
political relations which, at different times, existed between Mr.
Calhoun and myself, I did not give as full an account of our per-
sonal demeanour towards each other on the occasion of the breach
in our friendly feelings which was made public in 1831, as may now
be useful.
Mr. Calhoun sent his letter, by which the personal and political
friendship which had so long existed between General J ackson and
himself was finally severed, at the close of the session of Congress of
1829-30, and soon thereafter left Washington for South Carolina.
He did not return to that city until late in the month of December
thereafter and in the mean time we never met. It will be remem-
bered that I declined to read the correspondence between the Gen-
eral and himself before its publication, neither did I make any
attempt to inform myself of its contents, or in any way become
possessed of them, until I read it in Mr. Calhoun’s pamphlet, on its
appearance at Washington in the latter part of February 1831. The
fact of its having been prepared became generally known at the
seat of Government, and speculation as to its character rife. He
submitted it before publication, to many of his friends, and in that
way and probably in others, the impression became general that my
conduct, in some of the transactions referred to, was virtually im-
peached. As Mr. Calhoun had made no complaints to me and
knowing that there was not the slightest ground for any imputa-
tions of that character, as Mr. Calhoun himself, at a subsequent
period, virtually admitted, and as is now demonstrated in Mr. Par-
ton’s life of Jackson;^ and not thinking that the difficulties which
had arisen between him and the President furnished a sufficient
ground for disturbing the courtesies which had before been inter-
changed between the Vice-President and myself, an opinion, in which
my intended guests, postponing the dinner trom bauii
following Monday. In the course of Saturday I receive'
Calhoun,, the following note :
Mr. Callioun regrets that owing to the state of the weather am
which he is afflicted he can not dine with Mr. Van Buren to da;
The impression it made upon me at the moment, an
which was I doubt not greatly strengthened by other cii
which have now passed from my mind, was, that he was e
by my invitation, and had gladly availed himself of the
weather to avoid placing himself in a position which
sistent with the hostile attitude he would be obliged to
wards me, when his correspondence with the President wa:
So regarding his note, and apprehending that I migl
quence of the renewal of my invitation, be regarded as ha^;
too great a desire to conciliate him, I made the follow i
ment upon the note: Not received when my note for h
sent,” and placed it upon my file, where is has reinainec
years. Very unexpectedly to me Mr. Calhoun appeared
among my guests, consisting of some thirty ladies and
among whom were, besides himself, the Speaker of th
Eepresentatives and his lady, and Senator Grundy an
The latter gentleman, as it subsequently appeared, being
ment, but without my being aware of it, one of Mr. Ca]
fidential advisers as to the disposition that should be r
correspondence, had, I now believe exerted a controllii
over his action in respect to the dinner. The company v
numerous and brilliant, but, with the exception of Mr. Cal
and jocular. His demeanor on the contrary, though hig
ful, was throughout obviously constrained. He, at my r
Mrs. Grundy in to dinner and placed her between him
In the course of a long dinner, I made several unsuccessi
to restore him to his usual vivacit}^ and to a participatior
versation of the table, a thing I never before knew him
he continued in the mood he assumed upon his entrance
soon after the company had returned to the drawing ro
me thoroughly convinced of the correctness of the co]
had placed upon his note, and satisfied that the char^
future relations would, so far at least as he was concerne'
dependent upon the suppression or publication of the cor
which had taken place between him and the President ; i
pecting that a qualified publication was under consideral
first course was pursued and really amicable relations 1
and the President restored, there would not, I supposed,
considerate of his friends on the subject of its suppression. Senatoi"
r>il)h ' informed the President that he had warned Mr. Calhoun that
the publication of the coiTCspondence ^ould be his destruction, and
liad con jured him to commit it to the flames. The latter gentleman,
not only thought diil’erently, but anticipated a signal triumph, and wc
ha\'e no e\’ideiu‘e that they ever prevailed on him to go farther in that
direction, than to consent, which he did, that his friends might make
an attem|)t to reconcile the President to its appea, ranee, l)y such modi-
fication of it and ex})lanation of what he should farther say as would
1)0 sullicient to eilect that object, without lessening the injurious
eiTecls of the (‘orrespondence upon myself. To this was addcal,
through the same instrumentality, an edfort to prevail upon the editor
of the (Jlobe to publish Mr. Calliomrs appeal first, tind accom{)any
it with favoi‘able comments. As we have already seen, an intrigue
was conse(|uently set on foot by my subse((uent friend (Jrundy to
ac(‘om])lish the first of these objects through their fi'ieiuh Major
Eaton, and by the same gentleman and Co\. Johnson, who was every-
body s friend, to obtain Mr. Pla.ii*\s consent to the latter, the fa/ilure
of both of wliich has also benm scam. Mi‘. I>lair refusial altogidhcu*,
but. Mi*. Orundy thought lie had succeeded upon the (irst and prin-
cipal |)oint. 1'he corn'spomhmce was pulilislual and Mr. ( 'alhouids
suc.(‘ess in politi(*aI lih^ foreveu* destroyed, d'hat thi' President dis-
claimed th(^ encouragement which had been giv(m by Major Eaton,
and indignantly resented the attempt that had beam set on foot to use
him for tlu^ d<‘struct ion of his friend, has also beam already statcHl.
Immediat(‘ly aftiu* tln^. failure', of the (Jrundy and Eaton negotia-
tion and on tlu' apj)eai*anc(‘. of the (Jlobe whi(‘h announced thi'. (Jen-
('raPs fet'lings in tiu' matte*!*, I was favore'el with a visit from l)i*.
rfeine's, a. de‘.ve)ti*el and ve*ry aci.ive friend e)f Mr. (^alhoun, whei was
soem fe)lle)weel by Mr. Blair at the Dex'toEs instance*; the objead of
t.he'ir joint a ppe'aranea*. b(*ing to alfeird tlie latfer tin op[)ortunity t.o
re'rnonst !*a(e*, in my preseme*e, against the e*ours(*. whi(‘h the* (Jlobe
was taking. Hie* l)e)<*(or\s desire* was to a.rr(*st and suppre'ss the
pape*r war, whie’h bael that morning been e*ommenceel ; w’l)ie*h be^i
e’laimeel the*, pow'e'r e)f eloing on Mr. (kilhomds side, if the Presiele'iit
and myse*lf weiulel prevail npon our friends to eh) the same e>n ours.
P<*rc(*iving that be*, w'as ue)i advancing bis object, by the (*xplana,-
tie)n he ma.eh*. e)f Mr. (hlhouiPs e*e>m*se anel the (*X(‘use‘S he founde'el
upon tlu‘m, as tbe*s(* W’en* re*aelily, and, as it a [)pea red te) me*, e'on-
cliisi\'ely ovc'rt bi*e)wn by Mr. Blair, he at. l<*ngth elii’eade'e! his obs(*i*-
vat.ions to tlu* injurious e‘onse*enu*ne*e*s w’hicli w'oulel result to tlu*.
|)arty and to all he'longing to it from the s(‘!usm, whic'h he e‘ha.rge*el
AM KltlCAX li IS'nuih’Ah A.'-x n ‘I \ I’luX.
(lisasi(‘rs which the (list r;u‘( ion ami cniirctinsnii n\tniiir‘<i\v nf fji,
Jiurtv would ciilnil on all of il~ MipjioHiT . and mi lod \,\ Idair'
serious eoiinleiiaiiee. lie veiiliired to drasv Iti aitmiiion i,. hj. j
own ease, spoke ol' the press wiiieh lie had reeenllv r tahli hed. of i(-
Jirospeels and of (hi' forliine he miiiht iva-niiaiils esp,.et |,, nan
Iroin If, and of i(s prohahle failure, if tlie ehi to, he . o eariie lh
drc'aded wtis nol arresled, .and the ruin in uhieh he and hi fauiil'v
would he involved, .^e. When he eln-ed hi reinari. M,-. 'lilap
il.s.sen(ed fo (he prohahle oeeiirreiiee of .Mm,e of tlie e, ,n: , j'h,
Dr, liad depieled jts resnhs of .a eoni inuaiiee of th - war, aid hi
would he tis sorrv as (he Dr. if it ahonld (uia out o, hut’ (i,at he
eoiild n<)t. altee (he eoiirse upon whieii he had etiteied. lie was
tuily sadslii'd (h.a( .Me. Calhoun was iiof oidy a( (he hottom of till (he
(liIlKaiKies (hat had arisen hu( had \oluui'arilv prodiieed them (o
lns_own ends, (hat he had the war hv his
[>ainphle(, without yood eaiise, and uni t abide the I'on
IIh- eoneliision of a luaef and ohCou 1^ tneefe h'
(hanked (he Dr. lor (he sympathy he had evpre ed f,,,- the !o
whieh (he s(ru,m-|e mi.-fht entail upon him; hut he.. the Dr. (o'
,irne hiuisell no uneasiness on that aeeotiut. It wa.-; true he .aid
‘ f "as poor, hut he had loU;.- I alld mwer evpee’ted t.i he'
neverlhehs. f-lt him elf to he mdepeudeut a
I r. ,ii hided he eould “ live hy hi ride.- and would ha \ e rmihim. to
do hut LUI haek to old Kenineky. where he kimw alwav-
"7 f'>>‘'dy oi mnploym.ait for it: and enjio m-eater and moVe
iastin..; sadslaettoti than he eould deriw from making him. elf -„h-
M-rMeut, tn any lorm, (o (1,.- promotion of .Mr. Calhoun' amhitiou
I he Di. v,:e- a eiapple, walked .-.•Idom and witi, a orf of dot and m,
rm ui.e,, he w.,.. a, h. ..a ,., heea,;;.
'd•solu(ely hu .erous when he wm exeited or huriaed. Dee,.U d,
/usted with the mode of ohtainlni. his lixino to shieh I'dair had
Mewn hiimell williuo (,, re.oirt. -.n-eal !\ irritated 1 , ma.lne , hv his
<M.s(tna.w. at.d ^ee,,,,.■nloreo^erlha( the .mme w.a- up. t!,e hr, indie’
'."dh l'•W•‘d_ Iron, hi . ehairaiid lin.ped toward (he door, exehiiioi.ty
AUTOBIOGRAPHY OP MARTIU VAH BUREH.
753
lat might happen. We were together, a few days after the dinner,
t a meeting of the Commissioners of the Sinking Fund, of which his
riend, Mr. Ingham, the Secretary of the Treasury, and Chief Jus-
Lce Marshall were members and present. We shook hands respect-
ally but in our intercourse there was, on his part, a greater formality
veil than that which was observed on the former occasion, which I
ttributed to the presence of the latter gentleman and a design to give
^ our personal relations an appearance which would be in harmony
dth the character the Chief Justice, who though a gentleman of quiet
lanners generally understood whatever passed about him, supposed
lem to bear.
After these occurrences, I felt myself justified in insisting that the
rst advance towards the continuance of social intercourse between
s should proceed from him; and I determined to embrace the first
tting oj)portunity to drive him to the necessity of deciding that point
imself. A suitable occasion for carrying this resolution into effect
^as afforded me, some time, probably a week or so, before his publica-
Lon, at a party given hy the French Minister. I perceived, on enter-
ig the principal room, that Mr. Calhoun was standing near the center
f it, with Mrs. [Samuel] Harrison Smith, an old confederate of my
wn in the Crawford war, but now a friend of his, leaning on his arm.
Vhm I reached them, in taking the circuit of the room, I addressed
Irs. Smith familiarly, then looked Mr. Calhoun fully in the face,
espectfully, but without extending to him the ordinary salutation —
ceremony, which would, under ordinary circumstances, have been
ue to his rank, but was withheld upon the grounds I have stated,
le looked me also full in the face, but made no motion, nor did he say
nything. I gave to my countenance no expression, nor was there
nything in my demeanor that was not respectful, and his was the
ame in both respects. It seemed to me that he understood what I
leant, and that was all I desired. I continued my conversation a
ew minutes with the lady, when bowing to her I proceeded on. An
itimacy of long standing, and at times very close, was thus quietly
roken off — a proceeding, which left nothing further "for us to do, in
kat regard, when his pamphlet appeared. I do not recollect to have
eard of a single disrespectful remark made by him of me, during the
3ng estrangement that ensued, and I endeavored to observe the same
CTIAPI'EK XLVII.
I(, PC liapponod tliai. my personal n-lalions svifh Seiiatoi' INmi
ler, wro, from the lirst. of an arms lenirlli eharacier. 1 need m
am sure, say to any ol my ae(|uain)anees, wlu’llier the\ hu\e lai
among" my friends or my opponents, liow greatly sneli a '-tat
tilings was at vai’ianec with the general ti'iior ol m\ (eelings in ;
matters.
lie bad justly acquired very considerable distinction by hi.s
port of Gcncrai Jackson in tlie great debate in (he Home of i
resentatives, ill which the conduct- ol tin' latter in the h(>minole
was sought to he deeply iinplieafed; and had now been eleeb
Semitor of the United States by ilu' tieiu'cars friends ami Mipj
ors in the State of Mississi|)i>i. He presented hiinsi'll at \\ asl;
ton for the first time, in that, capacity, a few days before the sc'i-
of 1S:U)-31, drove to the While Iloust' in a coach drawn by
cream colored horses, and was announced lo Ihe Presidt'iil- wliil;
and myself (I then being Seen'! ary of State) wi're engagi'i
business in tlu'- President’s oilin'. W e repairi'd at onn' lo tlu' 1)
ingroom, where he was received by Ihe (leneral with cordiality
respect. Having never met him before, I was inlrodiin'd and a
and sprightly conversation ensued, which was chii'lly conliiu'd b
Presidc'ut and his visitoi". In llu' courses (d it. old limes an{l .st
were, in succession introduced by llu' latter ami Ireely sp<ikei
whilst the exciting ])oliticai <(m'.stions of Ihe day were, as it apiK'
to me, studiously avoidi'd on the part of the Senator, and singii
enough, having regard lo the natui'c of tlu‘. President s rela
with that gentleman, Mr. Clay’s sayings and doings const it utt'i
princijial theme. The conversation ri'ceived that direction
the Senator, who introduced and dwelt on the. positions whic
and Mr. Clay occupied towards each otlu'r, and the stirring .s<
which had occurred between them, more particularly in the sim:
way, at dilfere-nt periotls of their busy lives. On the latter hea'
gave us the particulars of a famous brag party, at. which Mr. <
stung to mailness by his losses, had bragged him, against a m
sum, his Hotel estahlislunent at Cineinnati — an estate (»f i
vnlito !i liviKT which he had declined to nu'ct, allhouirh he held a
ATJTOBIOGEAPHY OB MAETIK YABf BXJEEl^r.
755
Clay, he said, had often told him, that he was the only
ever had him in his power. I remember these particu-
distinctly, from the effects produced on my northern
^ revelation of the enormous sums of money which were
between them. To the General’s they did not, it must
-1-5 produce equally astounding effects; but were listened
l^xter Imew they would be, as racy reminiscences of somo-
ni' scenes through which he had himself passed, at an
cl, on the famous Clover bottom race course ” between
life long competitors in all things, the McNairys, the
^cl the Cannons — Gvm multis aliis^ in the progi^ess of
patents and class rights in bundles, and horse flesh by
been staked on their respective racing steeds in which
L bad generally been the favorite of fortune.
unfavorable to Mr. Poindexter’s fidelity to the admin-
- had been elected to sustain were already extensively
in political circles. With me, at least, they lost none
c*ee from a personal acquaintance. The remarkably sin-
ssion of his countenance, a point, in respect to which,
o room for two opinions, and his whole demeanor .at our
-ew, coming on the back of the invariably unfavorable
a-d received of his character, differing only in the degree
xa-t was heaped upon it, satisfied me of his hostility, and
►nxiial visit was one of exploration only. The President
cfl him to his carriage, but hastened back after he
parture, with the question, “Well, what is your opinion
ter?” My conviction of his hostility and the certainty
-xld soon be found in the ranks of the opposition, were
L-eely expressed; to which the reply was “You are cer-
We are not to his taste, and it will be thought no dis-
tliat such is the case, but we will soon shew him that we
Loxit him.”
iixterview taken place shortly after the Seminole debate,
.right have been different, for as I have elsewhere said,
31XX known a man, who was seemingly more blind to the
indulgent to the short comings of friends who had stood
, crisis and whom he believed to be honest, than General
After a month or two of l)i'isk fiiiiitinir* wh'n’In lio\vr\ rr \v
have l)een calcuilnted to mystify his <‘on>'f itiuaiN did fiot, ifi
obscure the clear conception we had foiamnl (d* his d(*sio'ns, an
the close of his first- session, he thn^w (df the mask and I
ground against the administration Iw aiding Mi‘ssi*s. Callm
well and Tyler in their attem])ts to fix upon tla* Pr('>idmd.
tation of haviiig been, guilty "'(d' a manifest violation (d’ the
the Senate, a. flagrant usurpati<)n of their (‘(ueditut ional \h
a gross violation of (he C oust itut icmd' in tlu^ lugoiiation <d* t
with the Sublime Porte, a mattiu* which hashiam lH‘re^ofore^
Agreeable, as this assault was to (1 h‘ Mississippi Senat'
belligerent spirit panted for atd i\’(‘ s(‘rvi(*e, it did not alford
the satislactio!! which he hoptal to laaip from tin* action (d* t
u])on my uominat ioin as Miuistm* to Knglaml. 'then' wana
in the latter pi’oeeediiig, siuh, for Instaman a,- the optmtng
afrord for assaults uj)on tla'. pei'sotial and pri\aie ehaiand
intended victim, whi(*h rendered it a far nion^ aee(‘ptabh‘
Ids accusatory tiiul aggia‘ssiv(‘ s{)iril, tin* imhdgmua* of v hicl
aven^ accjua-inted with him ku(‘w to be tlu^ ndiug pa sion <d
Tile scope for iliat iiuhdgeuee was materially enlarged by tl
fid abandonment by llolnu'S, <d' Maine, <d’ tlu* iav,<dntion he b:
for the a|)pointiii(m|. of a eoninii(((a‘ of iinasdigal idii, <m \
majority ol tiu'; S(mat(' would ha\a‘ loiim! ilself eoii.drained
at least oiu' sineerl^ friimd, tlnaaigh who i* ageuev the mai'
and [)ract i(‘(‘S of ilu' chairman ami his a, sociattv. might h
detect(‘d ami cxjiosi'd-'-an ahaiulonnund, ai*companied h\‘ a
and unhlnshing resm'vation to (audi Simator to .-upply liis i
avith such liits of scandal foi* (‘xliibit i(m in si'eret ‘ c : ion, as
b(*. (^onsistcail with his iinlividuai taste (<> gat Ian- from scmn
own selection.
1111^ action of the Senatt* was postpotual bn* se\mral wia*
(‘onnt, of TMr. Poimhvxler s inahility, fr-om sickm^ss, to atteml
ings; not biMaiitse thi*. majority stood in iumm} cd* his voti^ b
already been stated, they bad a. eonvenient supinmumai'v in
son of Senator Bibl), who agreed to be within (adl, if be >
wanted to make a tie and thus eompid the Yivv Pnssldcmf. to
his part of the agi-etmient, which tla> Senator was to do \
for, or against my confirmution, as the o<*casion might naju
l>ostpon(‘ment was in <lel‘erence to iht‘ excess (d‘ his zeal am
tent of the contributions he was ex|)(‘eted to mak(‘ to I lu^ mas.-
saiions that were to lie oresented umiinst wnuum^t^
AUTOBIOGniiPHY OF MAFTl Y VAN BUIIIW.
budget of calumnies wliicli lie in conchive poiuvd upon Uh‘ cai>
tlic Senators disclosed the extent to \vhi<‘h the iin’alid luul nolu
standing explored the kennels and ransacked (!u‘ gossiping cii’
of the capital for defamatory reports; the whole being wtaind
with a letter addressed to himself by a man, whom I was not (
scions of ever having known, setting forth a statianent, supposes
have been made to liim by mo of the motives by which 1 had Inam g
erned in bringing about the dissolution of tlu* (\abin(d, whioh lo
one acquainted with me, wlndher friend or opponcmt, wa * reads
pronounce unmitigated falsehoods. P>y the sidi^ of tlu^ sayings j
doings of this veteran combatant, it moi’titied au‘ to find dl pla,
on the journals exhibitions of iHibcrality and injustice not far heli
his own on the part of a clever young sonthern Stmator, wlnui
once held in higli estimation, but who sunk himself for (lu* <a'cu
in the pursuit of vengeauce for imaginary intrigues, whieli liis lisn
Mr. Calhoun, the l)arty to be injuixMl l>y tluan, suhseipumtly iiailtM
the counter as imfomided suspicions.
The conduct of the first named Senator, had as it- wa-v hail
little eifect upon our j)ers<)nal I’t'Iations, on aecount of pre (‘\i I
barriei‘s to anything like friimdly or social inh‘n‘<)urst‘ lnUwcm
Once only, during our whole* ac<piaintamx\ did lit*, to my Mirpi
approach .me w'ith friendly greet ings.
A violent altercation had talv(‘n place, on (he (loor of tlu» Smu
between him and mj friend Korsyth; which it was Ibr a wiiih* m
posed would lead to a. hostile* ui(‘(*tiug a. matt(*r aheml which,
was well known, no one*, couhl have* lH*(‘n more sthiciloiis than mv <
The morning after tJiat re‘sult had hen*?! av<ud(*d, he caluhal mi\
my enteuicc, with .much <*oi*diality. Nothing wa:-; em mv paj1 ua
ing in the reception of his civility, for I feht. r(*Ii(*ve‘d ami imp
but there the matter endeel. We*, passe*d th!‘oug;h the* paibic
in which, lie was the I)iisicst of (Ins busy, ami pi-ohalhy inn! umrr
do with (lie chair than any oilu'r Si‘naior, with the* . aim* un\aryi
rigidity of countenance e)n both si<le*s that, had, with tin* ingh* i
ception releiTcd to, distingnishe*<l our i)e*rs(mal inh‘r<'fnir: e* fr(an I
beginning, and wliat was ivally miraculous, witheml his limlini
single occasion to conqdain of the* tre*a(me*nt he* re‘cci\c<l at. my hai
as nresidiuL^ otlicier of the* IhwKc flu. h...
758
AAIRHU^AN- 11 IS'roiUrAh ASSOi'LVnoN.
sluggard in devising means to obstruei ihi^ way ol politiral <
W’lioni lie hated and whose tulvaueeuuaU h(‘ depna'at imI, both
was empliatieally the ease in resinad to niyschl. 1 he irus
Congress of (he elaborate and art fully devistnl plans ol
and its confederates, the leailers of (he opposilitju, aggr
they W'ei'e, by the signal suc(‘ess of (he aibnini>( rat ion al
cceding election with the obx ious ini[>rae( inability oi vwr
to reexcite the public nimd (lu’oiigh (he agenny oi lu'w pu
tioiivS in. season for (he apjiroaching se>si(Ui oi Cnngn*>:A
one to lie lield before (he Pri^sident ial t‘h‘c(ion, cast a gl
(heir prosjiects and caiistal unusual di^pondency in (lu
l^>in(lex((a^ generally among (he foremost and siHuniiigly
fearl(‘ss in jiartisan lights was among (lu‘ lirst to fetd ibe
of the re-acting panic, and to st'c tlu‘ iu‘ci\ssi(y of a change
Ills (‘oniidcMice in all elforls (o (‘rippU‘ an opponcid or ovae
administration (hat weiv. unaccompanied by pcisonal b
habitually slight, d'he riauler has already Ihmui :upplic
striking ('xhibiiion of Ibis] pr'(d’c‘rtuu‘e for and adaptaiic
feature in partisan warfare in his vvvy gross assault up<
AWbstxa*, wIhui I ha(. gimt Imnan A’entni'ial lo assume a tlillV
lion from (hat occupied hy {!h‘ cIkskui hanhu* of his par
{passage of (he forci' hill in nullilication limes; an assanll \
not only iinprovokcsl but. obv iously ma<h‘ U{><m calculadi
answiu' a. political jiurposvc Simator Poindexter's plai
Iviiulling (he public mind ami disptdling' (bi^ piHOailing :
their party, therefoi-e, was to lay asidi‘ for a siaist^n (heir (
demmeiations of (huuu'a! da(‘ksom by (lu‘ ba<‘km\Vt‘d u c
the puldiv^ taste had been ann(W(*d and its judgnumf insul(e<
11]) a, sort of semi-ollicial <|uarn‘l with me, tin* probabh‘ d
candidat(» for the presidency; a <iuartm- more* liktdy, pta-b
eirectual, and to (rv to work it- into a iiei'sonal fracas at tlu*
the union. Tliis naturally struck him us a proceeding mor
jiroduce distrust^ an indispensable* element to (hi*ir succ(*ss,
animation to the ap|)roa<‘liing session than any sclH*me (bat
der existing (drcumstances be devised. ''Fbat la* aitcauptet
me into such an affair, and that he consulttal mon* than <
hrotlier Senators in respect to its expedic'ney, I did not., a
AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF MARTIFT VAU BUBEU.
15
it^picxoxis settled down upon two gentlemen who had probably bee:
least from the beginning by the principal actor. Br
lese suspicions, without anything that deserved the nam<
1‘ proof sustain them, and therefore, though effective upoi
tY o\vi:t ixiind, it would be wrong in me to give names. I there
)re c(.)iat:oxxt myself with saying that Mr. Clay was not one of their
o<l 1 do so as well because I sincerely believed him as well as th
!‘Oat body of the Senate to have been altogether above countenancin
icli a ipr^oceeding as on account of his well known influence ove
oindex-tox', which might otherwise give rise to the impression tha
alludod -fco him.
Thoso -wlxo are conversant with the political history of that perio«
ill i‘eixioxn_ber the violent assault Mr. Clay made upon me at th
auiucixoeniLent of the session, on account of my non-appearance a
coiuii'i.exxcement to organise the body; or how earnestly my prede
ss()i\ IVdCi:*. Calhoun, denied the fact set up by my friends in explana
;>n of ixxy absence, viz : that it has been the practice of the Vice Presi
ads to a^^oid so early an attendance, to give the Senate an oppoi
iiity to clxoose their standing committees before his arrival, a selec
)n wh iolx if present, it would have been his duty to make himself.
At (ho jDX'esent session I w^as at my post on the first day and strang
ougli;, -tlxa-fc very fact was seized upon by my opponents and mad
(* j)rinoi]ple pretext for opening with me a correspondence, virtuall
utr its commencement, and designed to become more so as i
<)gr(‘SHod* On the 5th of January, when the lapse of time and th
tuiriHVMoo of circumstances, had rendered the moment for the d(
auuiu^iit of the plot as favourable as they could expect it to beconr
recei\"ocl fx*om Senator Poindexter the following letter:
Washington city, Jany 5th 1835.
Siii:
i'h(‘ nn itrShtcbZ punctuaUty, with which you attended, as the Presiding oflac(
SoiYO.'to at the commencement of the present session of Congress, lu
‘H :i I { 1*11 >11 tod by certain newspapers edited by your friends and supporter
(‘onsidoi^o-tions having a direct personal relation to myself,
riiiw iiixiovo-tion on the unifoiun practice of your predecessors would ha’\:
■<‘lve<l no xtUtention from me, as it was an act resting exclusively on your ow
ISO of I >i'Oip3:-iety, and therefore wholly unimportant in reference either to m
■lings Of w’-iBhes, had it not, vauntingly, been put forth by presses under yot
t
760
AMKIIH'AN lllS'rni;H'\l, ASSiH'IA'l'hlX.
I waitcMi a n‘as<»nal»I(‘ Ifnaiii nf liiin*, tn ;tiVo!)i ..r .uun’
oppoiiuuity U> disavow flu* Had mon\.(‘ a!i riltiiioi! lo m ilir
ahovt* (piofcd ; luuu'- has Iummi luado allim r\jii'h iil> t /llrt! Imj* n\
public journals of fliis <*i(y. I <!<'sirt‘ lo 1 m* dioiii Omm!
tondin.a' lo claiiu flu» riald lo hold \oii aU'Werahi.* I'T Lai . uffO".! \ i>
any ollua* of like ehara<*l(‘r whioli may havo apiM srrd. Imi iht*
('xtraord inary circuinstanros aflriulin‘7 liii-; uholo iimiior. an: !i«u i a*-.
of you, that \\'hi<*h is dui* fo iiu* and lo (In* siaiam \Uiioh \,.i; o. rs
avowal of all <'omHM-(i»)n ludwotai your <*ii tho iM', a it*n and \ l
ill which I sfaiul to fhc S<*iialc, and lo liu* fount !■>. ! uill m.f por
to Ixdiiwi^ fhaf: in takiniLV y<»ur S(*ai at tin* opoinn;* of llu* so ‘;]on, you
al(xl hy 1 ho unworf liy niolivos, whioh your frii'ud • Inn c no indi .croof
fo you, until you nianifosi a <lispt>sif ion lo place >o;jrv,r!f in -
shoidd nuu'h prt^for for your (»wn .sake, and that of tin* a?! ni t IumIv (
dolih<‘rat ions you havi* Im'cu ctdlcd ft* pi’c-idc, lo re ar*l >oiire iri\ alt
an (*vid<‘nc(* <d’ flu* prompt if ud(‘ aiitl iiuhctry, uith nlneh .wni ui*ro
dischar;j;'o your public duties. It i*. nou in \ottr (Hcu r, to "dc ine thi
which I consider Iff iu‘ccssar\ m a\»‘rt fhe e. n .«*(pu‘ner* of .
conclusion.
I address you thro’ the Post < Mliee, md s^i diin", ' » i ou'-tid an\o
atTair, in (fu* pr(‘S{*n( douhfful state of in.\ mind i-oUi'ernsn ■ if.
I huviMlu* honor fo he, Sir, ^ Servt
< II Iku
It cann^ io niv hainls as I was leavip"* th,* ( 'ajd1(»l, ami
in flic carriaiff^ on niy uay Inmn*. Its cmi trmdiun ami c\
conncciml with if. sat isfu*!! me fhaf it* «!(* ipn w a !<> a<’cum
object I <i(‘scpi})(*(l. 1 called ;if the State I)v{>ar{imu
way down and shewed if lo my iVit'm! Mr, l*hir \th, uh
instant concnrivd in fhe ('<>msl rmd imi I have fdarud iifu,
opinion, in which no oiud a(M|miinti*tl with the w filer ami tin
feeline- (hen existino- !><*( waam fin* opiueino^ parfic al \\‘a.
eonld not fail fo concur.
A SiM'ond pt*rusal on reachiiuf my hoii c, c»mliruu*d me iu
ol flu* Siuuifors (‘pi-fle, aiul at tin* :imc time ati !’u*fl nu
fids, as is ;ip(. fo in* flu‘ I’afi* id’ . indlar leafs of hdt hiuulcd
fhi^ V(M*y <‘unnine* (*mployetl in its com t ru»l iop, ftppiiejl me \
<(iud(‘. means fo Iriisf rtde its dedpu. NOthiup’ ua waul in*
fhe^ studied profests, coiuM^ssjuns and ri*seiw at ions whicli I
ins(‘rfi‘d in (he leftur for snbs(M|mmf u- e; ami his appeal fo oi
relafiotis for protection ae;ainst llumis ault that lia«l Inu-p m;
him, to enahle uu^^ not only fo tliscluirm^ aiv wlmle duty iti ih
AUTOBIOGEAPIIV 01-' MAll'I'lN VAX lU'UIVV.
The followins; short letter \v:is tlierefoi'i', I'orlhwitli iiri'iinri'd
after receivinji' the iii)])roval ol luy Iriemis (hon'ral .laekMin,
Forsyth and Mr. Wrifijht, scut the next uiornin.u- (Iiroii.ah (lie
Office •
WASlIlNilToN />
Sir,
Yon are quite correct in not ponnitting- yourst'lf to helit^vo Wuil tho o;
act to which you allude, in your hdler of yt'sfonlay, was dcsigiuMi (<» arr
to myself the right of deciding upon the propriety of llu* S(‘nat<‘\s
their President ‘pro tempore, or to int(‘rf(‘r<‘ with the ndata>ns in w!u<i
or any other meniher, may stand to that: body, and to tlu‘ country.
Your very proper and ('X])li(*it dis<*lainu't‘ <*!’ all idtai ol holding me resi
hie for the cominentaries or constructions of the public i>n‘ss bus enable
so far to respe(‘t the oOicial ndations (‘Xisting bet.W(H‘n us, and to wlilcl
refer, as to give you this answtu*.
I am Sir, your huinbU^ s<u*vt.
M. VAX Pant
To the Hou^^'’ Georgk l^oiNDicx'i'Eud
I niigiit, perhaps oiie-ht to dismiss lln^ snbjcnd. her(‘; luit as t
is another matter wlii<*li out ol* it and not. dtsstitup' of into
as descriptive of the cliara.(d(‘r of the. limes, I will hritdly notn
That my adversary would l)(‘. eudiarrasscal iu res|)(Md lo hi : fai
nioveniente, by the eharaelxvr of m,y reply was wind. I <a>uiidf
anticipated. A quiet publiealiou of llu^ eorrespondeiu’e, indi<a
of satisfaction witli my 3*ei>ly, was a. ix^sult I did not <^^:|)ee^. I
a conrso Avonld, I thought, be iiu'ousisbmt wilh tin* opiuiim !
foianed of his chai'acter au(l (he dt^sigu iu whieli his leller origin:
I was, on the contraiy, led by these eonsidm-atious lo look f
imblication, accompanied by ollensive (‘ommeiils, opening Junv I:
calculated to increase existing iiTilalion. That Iu‘ would >:up|
both letters, and leave the pulilic*. to di'aw ilu', inbM'imei*. liuil I
sanctioned the publications in (juesliom an inhu’emH^ he s(
deprecated and wliich he clainuMl would be* llu* tauiain coriSiMjn
of my silence, was a result wlii(*h iu‘ilher my friends not* nr
allowed ourselves to expe<‘t, es[)i*(ually aflcu* the, appmiran<*e o
intimation of the existen<‘e of sut'h a correspondeiict* Imd ;i|qH*
in a paper liostile to me. These vit‘Ws led lo Ihe su: pit’ioti tlial
Senator, after what had been done, might ihink a, fmrol allere:
with me. a. mnuA eli.<rildp \vn\r isC hid furitur -ihruU flu* t
762
A M !•'. U it ' A X I i I S1’t HU i ' A h ASSt U • I A'r I i ) N .
carry Avithout duujLrrr of aiul waiv iluMa in tin
out. of if, uiifil 1 fully satistioti that uiy a»lvt*r ar;
up his mind to drop iia* \vht>h* maftrr my auauto-
and neither to say, nor to do, nor to puldish anythiny fi
the siil)j(H‘t. Those of my friends, who vvtu*r etunrrsant
had laum done, and who took a .-poeia! iutoresf in thr m;!
account, looktal totlu‘ jKiper-, from tlav in tlav f«u‘ ihc <
ence, and wmH‘ not I(‘ss siirju-iscd tlian mv. rlf iliaf a yun,
been vso <‘arefnlly, and I may a<ld, so ccrrmoniously !oa«
lia.ve betut so soon and so (|uit‘tly spikt'd. My (osn opin
\va.ys luam, that. Mr. (day was <‘onsuhc<! tm the reecipl o!
iliat; ]u\ ■[)n>nounc(‘d the. moxtineiil to ha\(‘ l>een, !n cty I
it, an unwist^ oia^ from tlu' iH^yinniny, predietrti that it v
wors(\ the furtlun* it- was pushed, and advi.tal Mr.
droj) it. wIuuH' it. stood. At rdl invents, so it, was, that t!ir
never ayain alluded to, in any way that lias ianm‘ to my k
CHAPTEE XLVIII.
Tliese two Senators constituted the principal exceptions to the soc
and seemingly amicable relations which had sprung up between the <
position Senators and myself, notwithstanding the adverse circr
stances under which we met. Yet, it is doing no injustice to the pr
cipal leaders of the opposition in that body, nor to most of the me
bers of the second class who though not regarded as leaders were ;
men of great experience and distinguished ability to say that tl
were all the while lying in wait, nay pining, for the performance
my part, of some act by which they might be enabled to qualify,
they could not reverse, the vantage ground I had acquired through
action of the people upon the course they had pursued towards ]
an advantage of which my quiet bearing at the head of the Sem
presented a daily, and to most of them, a very grating memento,
had passed through the ordeal of my inaugural address, an aff;
which under existing circumstances, could hardly have been expec
to pass off without giving offense in any quarter, to the fifteenth w
of the session without the happening of any such occurrence.
Now, however, the hoped for transaction was believed to be on
point of being perpetrated. The straight forward and sturdy Den:
racy of old York county Pennsylvania having had their feeli
greatly excited by the controversy which the bank and its lead
supporters had waged against President Jackson, in respect to the
moval of the deposits held their meeting also, and headed by tl
undaunted former representative, Adam King ° adopted a memoris
Congress on that stirring subject. They condemned in no very m(
ured terms, the conduct of a majority of the Senate, denounced
motives by which they believed their leaders to be actuated i
plainly imputed venality to Senator Webster by name. This pa
they, for reasons of their own, resolved should be sent to me its j
siding officer for presentation to the Senate. One of their Senal
Mr. McKean,^ an honest, but exceedingly prejudiced man, had w:
■f-n rinrirK Uoi rvfnovwi ocv morlo It i col -p
>704 AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION.
date of our party for the Vice-Presidency. How far these circum
stances influenced the course the meeting pursued in regard to tin
presentation of their memorial, I do not know, but I thought it no
unlikely that those circumstances, aided probably, by a not unnatural
but very erroneous supposition that I would be pleased with the un
usual notoriety thus given to a denunciation of the former proceed
mgs of the Senate against me from a quarter so imposing, as well ii
the revolutionary as political history of the country as old York, ha(
exerted some influence on the course that was pursued. Simila:
views of the matter, I was in the sequel forced to conclude, ha
led Mr. VYbster and his co-adjutors of the Senate to think I wa
advised of the proceeding, and would take pleasure in presenting
them. So wide a departure from the comity due from me to th'
members of a body, the presidency over which had been conferrec
upon me without theii* agency, and to which I was not I’esponsibl
for my conduct, would have presented my enemies, for such the;
really were, a most desirable opportunity for their first attack. Thei:
leaders, apprised by letter of what had taken place at York, of whicl
I was myself wholly uninformed, entertaining the views in regan
to my course, which I have attributed to them, detcnnined in ad
vance, as I had reason to believe, to make the presentation of tha
memorial, the occasion for their long premeditated assault. Tha
Mr. Webster should, on the first presentation of the sul)iect, haw
made himself officious in the movement, was pei'haps natural enough
but that he should liaA^e continued to do so after ho became ac
quainted with my feelings upon the subject Avill not, it is believed, bi
approved b}'' fair minded men. A full account of what was done a
the meeting was sent to him by his friends; but the communicatioi
of the commitee, enclosing the memorial, did not reach me until threi
or four days after his letter was received. In the mean time he en
quired of me whether such memorial had come to my hands, am
was informed that it had not. The next morning the cmiuiiy wai
repeated and the same answer returned ; and he, at the same time, in
formed that my mail was sometimes taken to my house, where tin
papers and letters were liable to be mislaid, that such might have bee:
the case with the communication in question, that I would cause i
search to be made and inform him of the result in the morning, whicl
AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF MARTIN VAN BUUKN.
I decided, at once, tlia-t it was a pa])er Avliicli ouoiit not. ii
communicated to the Senate tlirongh me; and that. I won hi v
to that effect, to the Committee, by wliom it liad been sent. < )n
way to the Capitol, I fell in with my friend, Senator \\h'i,n’ht
related to him the circnmstance. He informcul nu^, as he a lt(‘rw
stated on the floor of the Senate, that a memorial had, sonu^ <
before, been sent from onr State, to an o])position Senatoi* lor
sentation, reflecting severely upon liim (Mr. V\\), that (In' Smi
had informed him that he had on that a(‘count i^dhsi'd to prt'
it, unless, one of onr representatives, also of the opposition,
lived in the vicinity of the memorialists, should f(M‘l himsthf at
erty to strike out the objectionable paj*agTaph, which was done,
the memorial in that state presentet! to tlu". Senate and ndVi
This statement, suggested to me the propriety of submitting
York memorial to the Pennsylvania Senators, with a. similai*
nation, before I returned it to the {‘ommittee, by whom it Innl I
fonvarded to me. Mr. AVebster a[)proa(*h(Ml m(‘, as I (mbu'iMl
Senate chamber, with an eiKjuiring look, and was infoiamMl of
receipt of the> memoi‘ial, — that I ha<l ixanl il and (h'tujaa! il i
to be presented (o the Senate, on account of a [>ai’agra[>h it
taiiied in relation to hims(‘lf — and of my det cianinat ion to iihm
to the Pennsylvania Senators with an ivxplanat i(»u of my intimf
to return it, unless they felt (hemseha's ant liot‘i::(Hl (n sti’ike oiii
objectionable paragTa])li. To my ama/.cmumt, instead of (*xpr<‘s
liis satisfaction at the view I ha<l taloai of the matteux Mr. \\k*l
appeared disconcerted, seeuuMl j)erph‘Xt‘d juul acird as if what 1
column nicated would inteidVix*. with sonu^ fa\<u*(M| schenu* henu
hawed, niuti.(‘red guiteral intonations, witlamt (‘Xpi’(‘.->ing a :;i
intclligilile idea and hdf me. for his s(‘at. 1 wa.-, for a nnmi
confounded by a result so mi(‘\p(s*t(Ml ; hut soon tin* ns(‘ which he
his confecterates had intendcal to mak(^ of tin* Vor*k mciuofual,
had presented if, (lashe<l across my mind and 1 h(‘cami* rt* compc
I called Senator Wilkins to iiu', gav(‘ him tlu' numiorial, pointed
the objectionable paragraph, infornuMl him of the dt'ltnaninat i<
had formed, desired him to (*onsult. his e<dleagn{‘s as to wliat i
ought to do, but to uiiderstaiul for himself, and to say to his
leagues particularly, that- I expr(‘ss(‘d no opinion in ngnrd to I
766
AMHKK’AN n IS'i'oKU'AI. AS
( ! A I'h >\.
of the removal of the (h^posits, ua- 1 : n >• \ p!
callcMi forth a ehnraeterist ie sp(aH*!i imm ih- 'r !::ii -r
whose, course they (lisa|)prov(‘<I.
Whilst this was beinoMnade/^lr. Wilkin k i l i nt- i-
colleagues, aiul deposited the meiieirial is* • .. ^ i
anything, but with the paragi'apli iuspt‘:H‘liuu« f
ster sti*ickeu out.
AVheu 1 tuiuouneed the iith‘ <d‘ the ^ *>rk ineints en. ih,*
members of the Senate pricked up lh(‘ir car ni a v
tied me it was a docunamt, of whieh th**\ h;el hr.; P
Whlkins moved that it l)e read, printi*d and r*’!' a ivd f*, i
tec on Fintuiee. When it wa.- nauh iliraquu n ea eie's ^
of the attack upon Webster wa-s as I tlnuight. rae i.i
Mr. Wh'bster imnuMliattdy took the ilonr, a uiiK'd i
spok(M)f the imj)uta( ions cast upon him by tie ne ;:m. d ;i
ties'' which his friends wei’e tieslrou- eiiould i;<a h ' ^ .
one of tlie grealt'sl, count ies in Pennsyhania aid .a h an
him a letter signed by sev(*ral piu’sons whnni he d- •» .tu-.
respectable citizens, and calhal on Senator MeKrafi t,.
in saying they were such, which he did a* to one-. p» li.-a
of them. Mr. W'ebsler (h‘sirtMl to ha\t‘lhe {etti*r ! > ithaiid
if iluH -iras ((. of Iht ooniorl -. ^
in support of the I'l-easury nuaisunn hr thou'*ln i’ir\
[lie paydrulor ailcnf'uoi of Uo s, }hf '> . lt.iudr\i, r nr? ir.
.l()W(‘d in a lit‘ree attaek upon the nienenaal, \u :n)*;Urd I
been gotten up in tlu‘ j)UiTnms of tla‘ paiaer. nod riu r., \
to be sent hack her(‘ again that for him rlf, le*
presented such a. paper. If it had betai . rni l! !,!, ii ■ . i
sent it back to tlu‘ pm'son fiAun \\lio!u ii . aiiir. hm if
word alxuit the erasure (hat had bi'cn nunle un it. Ilr *
too a.ctiv(‘ in gaining information on such oi*ca i..n , h>'fMr
not to know how and by whom, that era urc wliich h-- ii a*
critically hcdoi’e he rose, had Ihhui made. lie slid nut \i i
in contact with (he Ikmnsylvania Simalors, p'u iii iil.i rh
iMr. McKean, who he thought would, at Ica.-t, ! >mpafhi/*‘
111 then attaidv. J*^(*nat(>r hrt'ston,” on tiic oi hrr Ijairh
verbiahy slow in such matters. He and his colhainum Mi
then occuoied fi-out seats, side. 1 iVF .sirlr !!HiU L.J......
AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF MARTIl!! VAi^ BUREFT.
der cover of a letter, in whicli lie was requested to lay the enclos
before the Senate and directed the letter to be read, which was d'
accordingly. Mr. Preston who ivas obviously under the impress
that the erasure had been made by me, desired to make but a sin
remark. He was astonished at the presentation of this petition,
considered the right of petition to be a sacred right, and therefore
be* protected against changing or remodelling of any petitions s
to the Senate for presentation. 'When the fresiding officer^ or c
officer of the Senate was in possession of documents to he submit
to ° the Senate^ he should not he permitted^ with his assent^ to er
or multilate them. This is all he is reported to have said. In tli
observations he was, beyond all doubt, under the full belief that
alteration in the memorial, was my act ; and was probably intendec
serve as a prelude to some such attention on the part of the Sent
as that which had been forshadowed by Webster in his open
speech, though that suggestion had doubtless been framed w
reference to a different state of things. If Mr. Webster had not b
deprived, by the course I pursued, of his foundation facts, he wo
have been ready with his resolution of censure. But he was
cunning to commit himself to such a movement on such shallow i
tenses, as those advanced by the former. He stood ready to supp
him by side wind blows, as he did to the end, and Mr. Clay fo
while ; but both of them kept themselves clear of any such comn
ments.
Years had elapsed since Mr. Calhoun’s eyes and mine had
liberately rested upon each other. Assuming that he thought
Preston did in regard to the author of the erasure, and we, being o:
a few feet from each other, I eyed him attentively, and he gazed
me in return, with a smile upon his countenance, which seemed at
lately demoniac. It was one which conveyed the expression as plai;
as words could have made it, We have you now.” From the bott
of my heart I pitied him. It was not in my nature to see a cour
nance, which I had so often looked upon with pleasure, so disfigui
My regret was perhaps less restrained, from knowing how soon
sanguine, and obviously malevolent expectations were destined to
easily disappointed.
Mr. Wilkins followed Preston. He had struggled for the fl
before, but I had awarded it to Mr. Preston — a decision to whicl
was apparent that my friends demurred. Wilkins narrated all
circumstances correctly, including the communication I had made
him : and assigned the reason upon which he and his colleagues 1
768
AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION.
full justice to the motives and also to the chai’ader and s
political and personal, of tlrOvSe wlio had tak(‘n [)art in its |)r<)(
His statement removed, as well in point of fad as of p
every pretence of complaint of the agvncy that 1 had exei
the affair. Seeing that he had commenctMl his a(ta(‘k upon n
a mistaken view of the facts, Mr. Preston owed it to hii
have abandoned it, in the frank and manly manner and tei
which he sometimes acted, and in which, as a gmunad ruh'
feiTcd to act. But the tcm[)ta(ion (o push on (he assauli.
strong to be resisted by so unskilful a politician as Mr.
I le liad just tak^m liis scat, as the colkaigm* of Mr. (h llmun, 1
elected under (he influence of (host^ ha'lings of ptu-sonal 1
against inyself then common with a pari leu la r class of (iu
men of South Carolina., and was aiixioiis io disliiiguish hii
the lousiness of Iiunting down a- man, whos(‘ poliiical ovtuih
so luair the hearts of many of her sons. Ih‘ had lanui pro
held for the display of his talents in (hat diriaiion on (his (
hut the feast (o which he Jia<l l>een inviiish had falkui (hr
two imjiortaid. particulars — one l)efo!*e, and oiu‘. after he.
tered tlu‘ arena. I Imd not presenl.ed (he immioi'itd in its obj
ble slia|)e, as wais expected, nor had 1 madi‘. (h(‘. (U'asnnx upo
he seized in the hrs( momeiiis of his (lisa|)poin( immt . Ihul
adverse circumstances, he was drivmi (o carry on ih{‘ w:
tlu‘ grossly imtimahh'. and (o (lu' Senate iisthf, sui(‘idal assn
that wlum a j>ap(‘r wa.s a<l<lr(‘ss(‘d (o its Pn^slikmt, with a
that it should he laid hefori' the S(mate, that. pap(‘r h(‘eame /ji
the })ropertv of tluvt body, and could not he. withluhl from
si<leration ; and that, whilst every member, luul a. !*ight to
with a. requ(‘st to present it or refuse to do so, as lu‘ in his di
should tliink to be most eonsist(mt with his duty to his con^-
and the body to which he belonged, the Pi‘c‘si(leut. (jf tlu‘ lx
sess(‘d no such discretion and was bound to i)res(*n( to thei
ever was sent to him for that puri)ose howe\'er abusive of
defamatory of himself ; a.nd tliat I haVl therefore^, (‘ommithxl
ofl'eiK'e in submitting a memorial of tlie citizems of Peuu.^
to the disci'etion of ttm Senatf>rs of that stat.e, with tlu^
for the purposes which have been stated. Having talom t hat
h(\ made in snnoort of his inxynos^hinn onrv (i
AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF MARTIN VAN BUTIKN.
that there was, even then, in the breast of the Speaker any eoi
erable share of personal hatred towards the i)rin(‘ipa! subjet
his vituperation. The Prestons are a peculiar race. Having a 1
share of the bulldog spirit in their coniposition, they iu‘\-er fa
shew it under excitement; but they are at the same tinu* not
sparingly endowed with the generous impulses of that nobk^ \m
which seldom fail to show themselves when their jiassions ai
rest. I have witnessed the action of these vaxwing disposilioi
the subject of my remark on more than one o(‘casion. In this
matter, when the subject came again before the Scmate, in <*<
quence of the return of the memorial by the honest ami stub
Germans of old York; and when time and reflection luul made
sensible of the preposterous grounds, lie had, under tlu^ tvxc^itei
of the moment, been led to asvsnmc, lu^ made a reasonable^ alonei
for his former excesses. But a still stronger illiistrat ion ejf
feeling occurred in the ]>rogrcss of our personal intcu’coursc', w
though it happened long afterwards, may as well b(‘ numti
here. Few will have forgotten the gold spoon story, which
conspicuous a figure and is siqiposed to ba\'(‘ (‘\(M*tial o-larg
influence upon the Presidential (‘anvass of IS jO.
As far back as the commencement of Mr. Monnx'V. admini-f ra
a quantity of very extravagant Fnmch furnitun^ wh'*; piiia^husiM
the Presidential mansion, through the agency of Consul liii;
an ostentatious man; and among ihe rest, a ])amd of spoons, \\
were alleged to be of pm-(* gold. Thes(‘, with o(hei‘ portions of
furniture, were still at the White House in my tiim*. I was (*ha
with having purchased fliem, and the alh‘g(‘d tsxtra vagumM* i
matter of accusation against me in th<^ (‘unvass. SiW'crul proud
Whig politicians who were perfectly conversant with tbo fnt't
far forgot tliemselves as to introduce the snl)jc(‘t in (lu'ir i'hn*
eering spceclies, with the exaggerations and falsilirutions that
been attached to the subject by tlicir tools, and Mr. Pia^ston was
happih’’, one of that number. (Circumstances Imd oiamrrcal in
social relations, which in addition to tlu^ fu\'oral)le <q)iniou I
formed of his charactei', more pariicvdarlN' in all that related it
courtesies of life, made this course, on his part, paHhmlarly an
ing. I therefore determined to make him an exivpium to my
as was his invariable habit, he found me in the office, sm
some dozen friends engaged in a lively conversation, and
doing business with me. I received him with unaffected
sufficiently deficient in that cheerful cordiality, which ha
marked our intercourse, to show him that I felt the i
treatment I had received at his hands, but might not ha'
make our interview quite as abrupt, as he saw fit to rent'
had not approached me with a deep consciousness of
priety of the course he had pursued towards me, upper
mind. He took the chair, to which I invited him, but occr
long enough to allow me to remark upon the unusual sev
weather, then arose, made me a formal bow, and retired,
exit attracted the attention of the company. Senatoi
Virginia, in particular, exclaimed, “ Wliat has become o
what made him leave so soon? ” One or two others adv
matter, but no one even suspected that anything of an
nature had occiUTed. Nothing was therefore said which ]
essary for me to explain and I resumed the business f roi
visit had.diverted me, and my friends their chat. If the
been left to me, the extraordinary circumstance would noi
been referred to, except perhaps, with the members of
but Col. Preston thought and acted differently. To the
he met, on the Avenue, he said, as I was thei*eafter inf orn
“ Well, I liave been to pay niy respects to the President. Ho roe
all the respect that was due to a Senator of the United States,
coldness of the weather, and treated and received nui in a wa
(I (leal colder than the weather,” and added, “ But that is noi
it; he was perfectly right, and treated me no worse than I ha
“How so?” “Why, I was goose enough, during the recent can
myself a party in one of my Virginia speeches to the absurd gold s
step, of which I was heartily ashamed, the moment I had done it, j
so ever since.”
And ever afterwards, he spoke of our interview to his
others, in the same unreserved way. It so happened th
met again; but my eldest son who married an intimate f
family, visited him frequently in South Carolina, and t
we often talked at each other in a way altogetlier res
® kindly. Such was the real character of my feelings to
and I have never doubted that the}^ were, in the main,
ciprocated by him to the day of his death.
But, in respect to the erasure impeachment, there v
moment, no let up on his part ; he, on the contrary, ins
aided in keeping on foot a debate on the untenable pre
AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF MARTIN VAN BUREN. 77
which having commenced early in the day lasted until an advance
hour in the evening, and was, as Niles said in his Weekly Registe
listened to, by one of the most closely packed auditories that eve
filled the galleries (and he might have added the floor too) of tl
Senate.’’
During all this time I was literally on trial. The reader in
seen for what — not certainly for the offence upon which it wi
intended that I should be arraigned; as I had shewn too just a sens
of what was becoming in me to do, to take the step for which tin
arraignment was hoped to be set up as a justification. But, upon
charge trumped up on the spur of the occasion, because the leadei
of the opposition, had promised their friends a sort of mito da ]
and were determined neither to disappoint them, nor to be disa]
pointed themselves, in any attempt, at least, to disparage me f(
which there was supposed to exist the slightest pretence. Occu
rences not destitute of interest presented themselves In the course <
the day the most of which must pass unnoticed. The Congre:
going ladies whose name was legion apprised that a scene was c:
pected to come off, a species of information, which was never b
yond their reach, were early in the seats allotted to them, and i
many that were not. The Senate galleries were also early filled i
the exclusion, in a great measure, of sober minded spectators, I
the outside representatives of the bank, distinguished in the stree
by the appellation of “bank bullies.” The opposition members (
the House, apprised of what was to be done, dropped off, one afti
another, and I'epaired to the Senate chamber. Friends of the admii
istration, even, impelled by an uncontrollable cui'iosity, followt
suit, in considerable numbers, until it was found difficult to pr
serve a quorum and an early adjournment consequently effected.
The Senate chamber was literally swamped by the curx’ents th:
were turned upon it from these sources and willing that iny opp*
nents should have a full swing, I directed our worthy doorkeeper, tl
well known and long remembered Judge Haight^ to light the lam]
the moment there was a necessity for it, which he did not fail to do.
Every thing being thus gorgeously arranged, grave Senators maJ
ing vehement speeches about nothing; but not the less successful
drawing forth testimonials of admiration and sul)dued applause fro
772
AMKKK’AX niSToKU’AL ASS( H ’I A'ri( )N .
intervals than twice a week, diirinii; the principal part o
reputable session. Exhibitions, which were at the rune tlu
no slight consolation to those who were designcil to !)(‘ i
them, because we la'lieved, and that on good grounds, that n
things were going on at Washington, there were all the w
sands nywii thousands, in every (juarter of the (‘ountry, sinc^
to onr institutions and desirous to see them maintaimal in ti
and smi])licity, who moui’iied over tlu^se ('xe(‘ssc*s and dcii^
the proper time, to liold (heir authors to a rigid and stoauv
bilify. The wonder to me was, that, men like (1a v, ’\\Vbst(*
houn did not foresee that stieh would 1 h‘ inust ho the o
American people remained true to themseha^s. Ihil all
tions were smothered in the re(*ipi‘oeal (‘Xeitemeuts that the?
debaucheries produced u[)on those engag<‘d in tluun, or wvr
in the dinners and pai’ty going dissipations, whioli had m
been so ])reva]ent or half so aniniat(‘d at \Mishington.
l)e(‘oming convinced that the ])art icular pi’oceeding on f<H>t,
tliein no g(X)d, not on account of tlu^ array, which I have*
for strange to say, that was to his tastta hut on tlu' groi
utterly baseless (‘haracter of the position whidi !h*cston
arid the absence of even a d(‘C(‘nt prctiuuv for tlu‘ porsiooi'i
that was made upon me, n^sortial to one of his (h‘xierons ]
tary movements to extri<*at(‘ his party from t!u' dilmima i
laid l)een ])laced. l\>t}us end, he approaelu'd (owai'ds tin*
in his smoof h, S(‘emingly fricmdly and will digt‘si(‘d tcu’ins,
tlie propriety of passiiig tlu^ suhjial over, till tlu* next m
give*, as he said, the chair a better opportunity look into \
with more deliberation than that which lunl yd been allowc
adopt such a course Hum, as he shouhl judgi* advi.-nhlc. .\i
lar frieruls in the Ixidy, had mainl}^ galluuT<l round Mr. For’
where they kept veiy (fuiet, taking no ftirtlun* pari In the (h
was suHicientto prechuh^ the idea of uhaiuloning, in any r
grotmd upon which I had acted; but. prepaixal tor any <
one of them had, throughout tlie day, eitlu*r approadied
or communicated with me, in any form, otlH*r than sue
addressed to it from theii' respective seats. They were, h
I saw, alarmed, lest I might lie induced to ac(}uiesce in
su^Tfrestion. which thev believed to lie u
subject, as it stood. That I was therefore opposed to deluy ot
kind, would wait patientlj’- the action of the body, and after
Senator had been allowed an opportunity to say all that lie (h‘s
upon the subject, the Chair would submit its own views upon so n:
of it, as he should deem necessary to notice. Satislied l)y these
marks that I understood the game of our opponents, in all resp<
and was in no danger of being taken in by their civilities, my frii
obviously dismissed from their minds all concern in regard to
result. The venerable Ex-President Adams stood below the. e
fro-m nearly the beginning to the close of tlie proeeiHlings, a pi^rioi
several hours, a watchful and seemingly interested sp(H*tator of
scene. I invited him to take a seat with, me on the plat form, wl
he respectfully and kindly declined, then caused a (*hair to be ph
near him which he did not occupy, because he* could, as lu* told
messenger, sec better as he stood. In that position he* i‘muaiiu‘d
the adjournment, certainly the most iinjierturhabU* and apiiare^]
the least exhausted person of the entire asseuublage.
Mr. Webster, at a lute period in the diseussioiu nnu'wed Mr. Cl
attempt to get rid of the subject in a side way. His suggestion
might be expected, were of a (‘haraeier far l(‘ss (mtitliMl to ih‘s
than those of the former gentleman, and w(u*(‘ tluu’cdoi’c* Irss e
toously received. Entirely eons(‘ious of tlu* entin* siamrity
position, I had but little to think about and occnipied sonu* of
miemployed time in speeidations uiion the aiipearama* as w(‘ll of
Senatorial actors in the s(’ene, as of the various classics of special
with, which every nook ami corner of the ehambcu* was filhah
seats of lu}^ friend, Thomas W. Ludlow Ks((. of New ^‘ork, ]
familiarly known ami <*steemed by all who W(*re thus fa\ (U-cmI, by
name of Tom Ludlow; and his very inteUigeut, and sensiblt* !i
were so open to 1113^ ol)S(*rvation, ami my rc^eollcndion of tlu^ inti
they took in tlie scene, is even at this lutes day, so viviil, that I eni
withhold a brief notica*. of tla*. exeiteimmt tlu^y evInciMl. Tla^y w
a(*cidentally, eai’ly in tlu^ir phua^sand <a>nlinued in tlumi to tlu* '
ol)vioiisly without thinking of their dinners; not a slight' matti*
persons who were so favorably known as th(‘ patrons of good liv
and would, to all a])pearan<a\ hav(‘ launaimal 'till morning, if
had been, necessary to enable them to sia*. tlu* mattt^r out. One or
other was constantly standing to make sure that nothing sh(
esca})e them. Their oft repiaitial glama\s at, me, as if to se(‘ ho
stood it, would, of itself, hav(‘ been snllieient, or if I had beam igi
ant of the depth and disinterestedness of tlu*ir friemlship, to sat
me of the deep interest they took in the piaKaaaVmgs and of t
my relieved I’rieiuLs and received tlieir eanu^si congraiulat it
satisfactory terminalioii of the atl'ai!'. 'Fiu^ contrast bet
appearance and action of my friends, and those of tlu^ actm
ators was very strikino-. Whilst the latter, tlirou^hoiit i
sitting, seemed restless, excite<l ami passionate ocaaipied
more than three fourths of the time— making xehiamait
signifying nothing: the former, to usc^ Senator Krthinghuy>
brated remark in respect to Mr. BiddUa staantHl ""as i‘aini j
mer s morning.'’ Cons(‘ious (hat no harm had been <lone l>y ;
to any person, or thing, tliat the clamor tliat was raist^d j
action in the mattei* was simply absurd, ami satisiicsl ll
fairminded^ man, iuelnding most, of tlu^ assailing Senat<
selves, woukl in the end, see' the matter in that light, luv
fi’iends spoke hut seldom, and thei\ hi'iefly, dispassiomUc*! v a
jmint. This diUVrence could lae easily a(*c<mnled for. Ad
expert actoi’s, (‘xperiemanl in piil)li(*, life and coint-rsarit with
of the world, may sometim(‘s sncceial in comaading (nnn
whose |)res(m(‘e they are acting, tlie nn\vorthim\ss of tlu' nr
wliich tliey are intluenced, but th(\v van mo'cr hide it fm
s(‘l\'es. dlieia* is in tlu^ breasts of (oam tht* worst of men a
which k(M‘ps the truth Ixd’ore tlunu (nan*, and rnllles their (‘oiu
turn which way tlnw will. It is t his c<jn\ irt ion and the appr<
that lK‘ing known to tlaan, it is also stam by otlun's, lay wldcli
distuiTed. llem*e the. disparity in tin' coialml, ami appvii
th(‘ r<‘s|)ecti\'e actors in those, (‘xt raordinarv scenuas.
Thoiigli usually slow iii arriving at- correct conclusions
points all the Ictulers of the opposition saw, in t!u' seqiu'l, t
wei‘c engaged in a losing t'oncern, timl became anxious to g
the subject. Mr. Clay left his seat, on one of Ids snuff iakin<
tions, his common ivsort, wlien anything was going cm, of -i
wislu'd to wasli his hands, and occupied his time in irulinage
(‘.xc'ivise of Ills skill in repartee with my friends, WriLdit""a
syth, a reptirlee in which tluw fre<iuently indulged. As so(
iori' as they b'lt themselves safe in assuming that (la^ir rank
had been allowed suHi(‘i(mt time to have their rtNpective :
signal lor the close of tlm debate was givam, Afou- asking
any other Henator wislwd to address the cliair, and riM-eivh)
sponscg I nui(lethenith(ia(hlr(*ss wldich will lu' found in llu‘ (
sional (llohe, and the drift of whic'h will Im made sutlicienlly ;
by th« following extract :
Tlie Kuhjoct uuKlcr out of wW.-h tho presout <,.i..,si!on hj.s ;irls,.u
AUTOBIOGRAPHY OP MARTIN VAN BUREN,
175
moment of its reception by the Chair, become, ipso facto, as is contained, the
property and part of the archives of the Senate, so as to deprive the Chair of
all discretion, as to the disposition to be made of it, without the approbation
of the body? And if that be not the case, then, secondly. Under what responsi-
bility does the Chair rest to the Senate, in regard to the character of the com-
munications which it suffers to reach the body through its agency? These are
certainly questions of a very grave character, well deserving the deliberate con-
sideration of the Senate, They are questions in respect to which there would
seem to be a diversity of opinion among the members; and it is certainly far
from being the intention of the Chair to pass, in this form, upon the correctness
of the conflicting deductions which have, in this respect, been drawn from the
premises before us, by honorable Senators. Its only purpose is to state its
own views, and, in doing so, it feels that it may safely assume, that if it be
correct to say that the Chair has no rightful authority over communications
addressed to it for the use of the Senate ; no right to return them to those from
whom they came; to deliver them over to their representatives on this floor,
and withhold them from the Senate, then most clearly the Chair cannot be
held responsible for the contents of any paper thus presented. It can only be
necessary to state this proposition, to render the incongruity and injustice of the
opposing j)retension obvious to the meanest capacity, and to secure its rejection
by every unprejudiced mind. What then is the true rule as to the power and
duties of the Chair, in regard to the disposition of papers addressed to it with
a view to their submission to the Senate? Could the Chair allow itself to con-
sult its convenience only, and to relieve itself from responsibility, there is no
rule that could be suggested, by which those objects could be more effectually
accomplished, than that 'which has been contended for — ^by which its oflice, in
this respect, is converted into one of a purely ministerial character, and by
which every paper received by it for the use of the Senate, is at once converted
into a portion of the Senatorial archives. But the Chair has not been able to
satisfy itself, that it could thus be relieved from a duty which it owed to the
Senate. It has, on the contrary, considered it to be a portion of that duty to
withhold such communications as, in the exercise of its best discretion, it con-
sidered to be so framed, as to render their presentation inconsistent with the
respect due to the Senate, as well as such as were, from other considerations,
justly subject to the operation of the same rule. Scarcely a week passes, in
which communications are not received by the Chair, with a request to have them
laid before the Senate, in respect to which it is apparent that their authors are
.suffering under mental aberrations.
Communications of this sort, of which many are constantly in the possession
of the Chair, would, on the supposition referred to, be entitled to the disposi-
tion which is claimed for the paper under consideration. But the exercise ot
the discretion referred to has not been confined by the Chair to papers ot
this description, which might justly be regarded as extreme cases. It has,
on the contrary, felt it to be within the line of its duty, to withhold from the
expressed, tlie Chair did not hesitate to deliver the paper to <
Senators from that State, with a request that it should be i
returned to the source from which it had come, with the informati<
Chair felt it to be inconsistent with its duty to lay a paper conU
matter before the Senate, The Chair would have preferred in
would in every similar case, to have pursued the course author i
rules of the Senate, and which has heretofore, in other respecl
extensively adopted, of taking the sense of the Senate, in the firt
upon the propriety of receiving the paper in question. But it h
appeared to the Chair, that that could not well be done withor
the Senate to the indignity against which the discretion exerci!
Chair was calculated to protect it, viz. the indignity of having a
to it which reflected upon its character and motives.^
That the talented men who lent themselves to this se
equally unfounded assault upon a political opponent, agai:
they had no ground for hostility other than political rival
dition to its injustice, committed a grievous error as it
themselves, soon became obvious to all.
The course which might, on the part of his co-ad juto
garcled by their friends in the subdued light of an error ir
warfare, in regard to Mr. Webster, bore a far worse aspect, i
that gentleman suspected me of being willing to presei
Senate, in the character of its presiding officer, a memoria
ing an impeachment of his conduct, for the avowal of wl
Senator in his place, it would have been my duty to have c
Senator to order — and still more so, if he credited the s
suspicions, f)romulgated by Senator Poindexter, no one
would have blamed him for meditating, and if it had £
out, for prosecuting with all his power the severest measu
taliation. But in proportion to the vigor of his assai
such circumstances should have been the measure of his foi
when he found that such suspicions were not only wii
shadow’^ of foundation but that I had, without consultino-
terecl upon active measures to prevent its presentation, £
fled, as lie doubtless was of my sincerity in that movement
it to me, to himself and to his position to have abandon
instant, cordially and cheerfully the hostile proceedings up
he was bent. What further effect the consciousness of 1
tice he had done me, was calculated to produce in ingeiiw
and what more he might have said or done in the pren
of course left to his own sense of propriety. But to hav(
my friendly communication in the way I have described
abhorrent to my feelings at the moment, and still too fre
recollection to admit of mistake in the account I have gi
AXTTOBKXlUAPil V OK M.Vfri’lX VAN' lOMtMV
Y7Y
to have separated from me with the full knowledge^ of my dispo-
sitions not only liberal but friendly, yet dctermiiUMl to deal with
me in a spirit of unabated hostility and a ch'tcu'u.iinatioii to (*arry
out his first views, embarrassed only by tlu^ ol)stael(\s whi(‘.h the
liberalit}^ of my course had interposed to ilie full ^ratitication of
his vindictive designs, crowned the unworthiness of whicli ju) ei>ithcts
could aggravate.
But this was not the most delicate^, of the various relatioas in
which Mr. Webster stood towards these proceedings. There was,
unhappily another, the true character and ])earings of whicdi are
indispensable to a fair considertition of the merits or deauerits of
all who participated in them. They occurnul at the most excited
period of the memorable struggle of tlio J)ank of the Unit(^d Slates
for an extension of its charter whilst the ('‘ountry in general and
York countj" in pai'ticular were literally ringing with ataaisaiious
and denunciation of the corrupt uses of its funds by that institution
to the furtherance of that object.
President Jackson, who stood at the. luaul of tlu‘ opposition to a
compliance with its wislies was less dej)cndeid than others for <‘or-
rect information in respect to its pro(‘eedings on a'’(*<uint of ac<*ess
to that portion of the board of directors whi(‘h represiuitcd th(‘ <Jov
ernment, the selection of which was made by himsidf. In the x igi ■
lant watch which lie kei)t upon all its movtunimts, its dealings
witli members of Congress occupied the front groumi, and the fear-
less and independent Editor of the (Jlobe, Mr. Blair, was not slow
or backward in arraigning* at the bar of the l>e()pli\ tlio-st' whom
either tlie Executive or liimself had, as llu‘y thought, g<H)<l reason
to suspect of participating iu the wag(\s of <‘orruption. Tlu‘ uu)st.
prominent among thosci who- were thus pla(‘(al Indort^ tlu' cMUintry
and against whom the charges of the (ilolx^ wen^ sp(M*ifii*, were
(xcorge Poindexter and Daniel Webster. Both, defemlcd themselves
against tliese cliarg(‘s, Poimlcsxtm* undm* his own name, W'ehst.ej-
througli tlie insti*uiucniality of a. P><)stou islhor, a.nd it so happcuuMl
that the defences in both cast's wort', of tlu‘ same gmuu’al chara(*te!\
viz: that the monies thc\v b^d rect'ivial from tlu* bank weri' 1 iu*
avails of regular di.s(‘ounts of notes and drafts ilrawn in t!u‘ course*,
of business and in no way connected vvitli any matteu* or indiuamu'nt
778
AM K n 1 ( 'A N III S' ]'( tlliiWL A SSO i ’ i AIM O N .
equal propriety be pursiUHl. Tla* of \ n!‘h enunfy
a(‘cess Avilh otlici*s to Avhat was said aud pul)li>hei! u|un
ject of Ids «Mult or iunoeeiiee in lli(‘ inaitiM* I'ldVriMMl to
mdeod, than many otlier portions of ilu' eouiitry, iirasmia
state was the scat of the hank, and was thus remleriH! Ih
most that Avas siiid and done iij)on tlu‘ (‘xeitinn* suiq'iMt. '
of course proporlicuially InditM* iufm'uuHl as tluw tlionr
grounds upon Avhieh these inq)tdations upon Mr. 'W'id).-!
They believed them (o he wtdl fouiuk’d and iVIt it tlu‘i
assume the responsibility of a. |>nbrie toxpressiou <d’ llu‘ii‘ e<
but selected a mode for giving [>uidii‘ity to ilu^ii* aeiMisafi
Avas inadmissihle for reasrais in no wa\“ adeeting tlu> guif
(tenee of Mr. Webster in ilie mattiU’, d'hoii' proi‘ft»dings v
fore arrestcak and the eliarges supiu’essetl a- lur- ln‘en : tat
were, nevertheless, if not [irineipally through Mr, \\‘eh.;h‘
mentality, certainly with his atdive eojjourat ion, area. «
Senate, and before (lie Country, willi heinn tlu^ autluu*' of
sland(‘rous charges against him. Xo attMUiMst of thi‘ prt>
have (les(‘ribed Avouhl llu‘refon‘ he just to ail llir parfu-A wh
also gi\’e at least a gmieral view of tlu* cirnini: taucc a..- tlu‘\
presimbHl to th(‘ i)ubru‘ in ndation to tin* i’hai’ges again i Mi
One of llu' !»oston papiav, as aiming to : pi ‘ale by Mi*,
authority—the cori’eetness of uhiidi was motMM in any wa'
in doubt ■” said :
\V<‘ aro anlhoriz(‘<l to say that siikm' Mr. \\'i‘Iisn‘r’s rosMl*‘h<*i' itt I
a<r<M>taiic(‘s, and o(IU‘r paiH*r h(‘ariua; iiis nann% Unw lanai
bank oi" tlie tM States, mori' or bos; rrequently oNa*ry .sear, in tin* oi
of biishicss, as at other banks, and ue\or otherwise; and that no
was i‘ver inatb‘ to him, at: any time by the baidv, or nn> of If ; «»i!
aiiiouid. of a sinj;l(» dollar.
To this clefen<*(‘, the Mhisluugton tdolie, on the 'Jord (
IdrbJ, repliml tis follow.s;
^Tn iia^n -I-l nf the MimuMly ttepoiM, may !>e I’oumi a eall on fb
of the Bank for “ r/ sidtcuK iit of thv loonn tiK/flc hy Uo' Hunk tuul i
to vicnilH’r.s of (Unidt't'ss, ftlifttrs of nrirsdoia rs^ e** p( rs«ois /<o/f/nn/ *
the ^(‘neral ({ov(‘rniiu*ii(.‘
A Ktatmsuad <tf the loans made to tuembta's of i*onare.ss v,an {urn
('()mmitt(‘(‘, after (heir return to AA'ashln^Mon, labl on the rieik* . lal
.MjiJority Ueport, and sent to Bn* nrhiter. B was howtner Mippress
nH‘ans we know tint.
AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF MARTIN VAN BUREN. 7
Had not President Biddle left Philadelphia for his country seat before i
Webster’s arrival; and did not Mr. Webster visit him there on Sunday?
Did he not on Monday procure from the Bank ten to fifteen thousand dolla
Did he not get it early enough to leave Philadelphia for New York in
steamboat, at 12 o’Clock, M.?
We put to Mr. Webster’s “by authority ” press in Boston, the following qu
tions :
“ TT'as there any Board of Directors, or any ConvmUtee, authorised to h
money, in session that morning; or was this money furnished by any otl
authority than that of Nicholas Biddle, President of the Bank ; and if yea,
what authority?
We should not put these questions, did we not firmly believe that every <
cumstance is true. The organ of Mr. Webster is called on to respond, wh
can be done by the same authority to which he has already had access. Let
have no special pleading about special loans &c. Has Mr. Webster this loan,
sides the $32,000 for which he was before responsible? ”
To these interrogatories, growing as they did out of a discussi
commenced in Mr. Webster’s defence by one of his friends — interro^
tories which had been put in a form that admitted of their being a
swered, if founded in error, without the least sacrifice of self resp<
on his part, no response of any kind was made, either by Mr. Websl
or his friend. My own impression upon the subject would Ini
justified me in affirming that sucli was the case; but as both the edii
and proprietor of that paper are still alive, I have applied to tin
and they confirm my statement.
Where is the man, properl}^ jealous of his reputation, who woi:
not, if the facts here so circumstantially detailed had ever occurs
have hastened to give the lie to the whole story ; or who would not,
the affair had been part of a hma fide business transaction have fori
with given to the public the explanations of a course, even on tl:
supposition, most extraordinarj^ and humiliating. For even imc
such a view of the case, how revoltingly indelicate wmuld it have be
to see any Senator, much more one occupying Mr. Webster’s positi
before the Country, as the leading supporter of the bank, follow!
up the close of one of the ablest speeches of his life and the renditi
of his vote in its favour, by starting off within the next two hours
Philadelphia the seat of that institution, following its President to 1
country seat on the Sabbath, and there, away from the bank, withe
the intervention of a board of directors, or exchange committee,
AUTOBIOGBAPHY OF MABTIIST VAIsT BUEEK.
781
among sensible men. If they were led to regard him as a wise, dis-
interested and upright statesman whose only object was to assist them
in arriving at a correct conclusion in respect to a great public ques-
tion, by which the country had long been comuilsed and which was
now to be brought to an end, that result could not fail to be in the
highest degree favorable to the bank. If, on the contrary, they
should have reason to suspect that he was a necessitous and un-
scrupulous politician, one, who under specious disguises, brought
his great mental power into market, and used the political power
which had been placed in his hands by his confiding constituents
for wise and beneficient public purposes, to the advancement of his
individual interests — to believe that he had been so lost to decency,
so indifferent to the respect of his countrymen, as to have acted,
after the speech which was submitted to them had been delivered
as he was, in those interrogatories, supposed to have acted, that great
effort would not exert more influence upon their decision than so
much waste paper. A man of Mr. Biddle’s sagacity could not have
failed to see the matter in that light, and would have hastened to Mr.
Webster’s exculpation, if there had not been a feature in the transac-
tion, by which silence was rendered the only safe course to be taken.
The circumstances alluded to, in the interrogatories, were nearly
all supposed to have occurred at, and in the neighborhood of Phila-
delphia, and whether they were truly or falsely set forth was pe-
culiarly within the cognisance of the President and officers of the
bank. Nothing therefore, could have been easier than to give them
tliQ lie in detail, and thus overwhelm Mr. Webster’s detractors,
among whom they could on that account with no small degree of
plausibility, have placed the President himself. How'' important
would such a triumph have been to the bank, and how embarrassing
to its opponents at that critical moment. Wliatever may have
caused the omission, it is well known that no attempt to cause their
opponents® so great a discomfiture, was made by the bank or its po-
litical allies. The President and his Cabinet, the State paper and
the great party whose cause it sustained were left free to press upon
the people the inferences that naturally arose from Webster’s silence
and the silence of the bank also upon the subject of these revelations,
through which if neither refuted nor explained, the character of its
782
AMJJEICA2? HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION.
After the close of the panic session, and whilst the two gre
parties of the country were preparing their issues for the succee
ing election then at hand, at which the Country was to pronour
upon the acts and doings of that session and the conduct of t
bank, the subject of Mr. Webster’s dealings with it was aga
brought into view in the Extra Globe, edited and owned by the sai
fearless partisans. Speaking at a time when the public mind w
yet alive to the whole subject as well of the $22,000 reported by t
blayton Committee,^ as of the $10,000 to which the interrogator:
related, the Editor of that paper expressing himself in a way whi
justified the assumption that his information was derived from t
government directors said :
For a portion of those loans to ]Mr. Webster, a man was taken as securi
who was notoriously insolvent, a defaulter to the bank at the time, who aft
wards compromised his debts in that institution, by securing or paying fifte
or twenty cents on the dollar.
This charge which was also submitted to in silence, Tvas not sj
cifically ajpplied to the $10,000 debt at the mother bank ; but the c
treme probability that such an occurrence could have happened
the Boston branch ; and its being so much in harmony with the oth
transactions by which the advance of the ten or fifteen thousand d<
lars, obtained from Mr. Biddle at his country seat was characteriz
leaves scarcely a doubt that such was their meaning — and if so, a;
if the statements were well founded, we have here the explanati
of Mr. Biddle’s persistent silence upon the subject. But be that
it may, one tiling is, I fear, morally certain, if the notes and pi
f essed securities of the bank were reserved from the sale to the mar
facturers of its archives by the ton, as waste paper, before referr
to, have been preserved, and but a tithe of the reports of the hea
losses which that institution sustained from its loans to Mr. Webst'
on straw securities, so prevalent at the time of its total failure, a:
then generally credited, be true, the note that was given for the
ten or fifteen thousand dollars, or its representative, equally wort
less, will be found amongst them. If so, and without the slighb
personal knowledge upon the point, I feel as confident of the fact ai
do of my existence, farther explorations of the dusty labyrinth of a c
fimct bank parlor, to trace the real character of the principal transi
tion, would seem to be superfluous, and the reader will decide wheth
INDEX.
A.
A. B. plot, 181, 187, 576, 576';i.
Aberdeen, Earl of, 499, 528, 529.
Abolitionists, 138, 492.
Act (of 1802) to regulate trade, etc., witbi
Indians, 280.
Adams, Henry, History of the U, S,, 56 h,
59«.
Adams, John, 123, 139, 140, 179^^ 183, 188,
189, 190, 191, 434, 433 ; assailed by Ran-
dolph, 439, 440 ; character, 189, 190,
191 ; correspondence with Cunningham,
ISSn ; Franklin’s opinion of, 191 ; opin-
ion of Franklin, 191 ; supported by Pat-
rick Henry, 433, 434, 435; Van Buren’s
visit to, 188.
x\dams, John, of Virginia, 436.
Adams, John Quincy, 108, 126, 141, 143,
146, 149, 150, 152, 153, 155, 157, 15S,
159, 160, 162, 165, 181, 192, 103, 194,
197, 198, 199, 200, 205, 219, 220, 233,
514, 515, 521, 522, 529, 534, 560, 575,
244, 253, 255, 278, 279, 282, 284, 293,
303, 306, 307, 398, 418, 421, 429, 511,
599, 666, 668, 710, 734, 742, 773; ad-
dress on Lafayette, 226w ; administra-
tion, 193, 199 ; capitalizes prejudice
against England to gain Presidency, 494,
495, 496 ; character, 203, 271, 272 ; colli-
sion with Senate on Panama mission,
201; election, 142, 152, 310; first an-
nual message, 195, 196; Fourth of July
oration, 495 ; friends politically pro-
scribed, 247 ; inaugural address, 194 ; In-
dian message, 283 ; Jack?son’s feeling
against, 269, 270, 271 ; latitudinarian
doctrines, 449; minister to Russia, 192;
personal relations with Jackson, 271 ;
Presidential candidacy, 116, 131 ; Van
Buren’s opinion of, 192 ; Van Buren’s op-
position to, 199 ; Van Buren’s visit to,
269 ; warns Van Buren, 270.
Adams, Samuel, 188, 189.
TTAurv. letter to. 203.
Albany Argus (Tlie), 57, 61, 108,
147, 196, 197 ; comment on N. Y. lej
ture’s report on Nullification prod
tion, 553.
Albany county, N. Y., 105.
“ Albany Regency,” 113.
Alexander, Mark, 207.
Alien and Sedition laws, 190, 412,
429, 440 ; Cooper’s imprisonment,
160 ; Henry’s support of, 433,
Lyon’s imprisonment, 439, 440 ; 1
son’s report on, 302 ; Randolph’s s]
against, 439.
Allen, Peter, contested election, 73.
Alley, Saul, 264, 547.
Althorp, Lord, Van Buren’s opinion of,
477.
“Ambrosiad” articles, 41, 42, 43.
America, South, independence, 306
publics, 484.
American Board of Foreign Missions
Indian question, 293.
American Citizen (newspaper), at
Spencer, 41, 43.
American Quarterly Review, 648.
‘‘American System” (Clay’s tariff),
554, 555, 556, 559, 682.
Ames, Fisher, 313, 419.
Appointment, N. Y. Council of, 38,
66, 69, 70, 73, 76n, 79, SO, 86n, 9:
93, 94, 9471, 10277, 103, lOSw, 174 ;
ished, 106, 107 ; removes Van 1
89, 9477.
Appointments, poltical, by Jackson,
250 ; Van Buren’s suggestions in 1
107.
xippleton, Nathan, 658, 658 >i.
“ Appeal ” Calhoun’s. See under Cal
John C.
Appomatox River, Virginia, barons of
Archer, William S.. 151, 567, 576.
“ Aristides,” pamphlet, 109, 10971.
Armstrong, John, 42, 43, 66, 67, 74.
Army, Provisional, 429.
Arnold. Benedict, 189.
r, i»!A.
7 84
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I. (Ia7.
<las. »
BB.d. ,1.,
72S
7 : 1 : 1 .
777 ; rlulmo or.
*dit
lol WrU
• ♦•nnlntrd
(■nrr.-nr> ,
Ldl : 1
out 5
,d of th.
Itroa
5 . (laS ;
otd rovi
V 'V, 2
221, 0*^1.
• id’d.
(SS:{.
7ti:i
7‘77 ; i
otruLl
Ufir
<»t fund ,
12 L
<111.
<M
2. 777,
TTh :
rrlnduiil tu
tr4;uoH, mi (kaiUuK** with Aiojulo i '» *4
(’onon-ss. T77: doL-ati-d. BL'ii. di'T. «;;U ,
dillli'uBU'H of winding uj» ndaha, d/.'i,
<147; dlnn’torn. <i-m. <HH. <1M.
<;r>7 ; diri'c tora omianvor prMiklont to u ■
Bnnk'a funtlH, H4H, BH», uril, <k%7 ; dl;
<nunta, Blit; ouiBio-oih ttn‘ joBBi . tU».
<;4(k Bit. B4'.>. tir*t. tlMn. B:» L tioO. <l.Vk
B5‘J. 712, 7'U. 717, 71U, 72<l. 727 »
ihaui'o (Hiiiuult BU, B42. «H:*, BH. \
<11.0, <117, tloB ; fonrn .iaoHaun, tllB ; ilnao |
rial moanttiroa, ft4<l, (U»i«, <U7. <i1tL tllBo, *>
tifB, <iMa. <ir»r}. boB, tinT*. Mviu h ’
Indemnity raao dcokifat itKiBt>'4, tMl»« ;
jiovornmont dinadorH. B41, tlin, <14u«.
777 ; Kovormm ni dlia-otora r«dua»*d iuo.r
....in ■■•o'l:.! iijit. nf iTolr|u iol*' jo (.f j-
r 4 ’da;. , !>■ ti>- r;jdr
i nf ' •!!!■ <■! ., t ; !o;-i . h> o. lA ica
/'.'I , lu- Ji.M ■ f" I'aM: ; in ■! l u -
1 -f 'dl .• ?'-5 . . O' o. i'.i;.
;no {. VBd 71"' ; J". ’v
is Ln i IB. ol'i, C.i's, r, I
Ail. .Bo, In ,J
} |!1 }.,n. :v:L bib : ■"'"!•!. -d .( id -n;
o'.'s, r, |o ; \d.ut . f ! 11 i i .
■ •ano'.o -.ii, B ‘ii. B, ’ : , ). ■ f,-,'
B, :s, B,::o^ t; in_ b u . b. i b. i
BjB.. B. IL B. B,:. 1, n .< j, n,.
B,..., 0,.B., B,.,,B »■.(.■, t.v;. B!0
j'.dit ir. d iu! i . ? 4 > , B '■ ' 401
no Of i‘f o . do- d‘ 4-^ B, i,. B. !■
B, lo ; |ittu • } an. - U <' « . Bi *■ ■
B. 1; ' B i ‘1 ; I I i i« i » ! w * ' . } , •■
JO'.- ji,l, ■iil'oy. Bo ,4 :t,,v ' B, ,'o
I'l'. nB.iitJtf ».} . B, :: , B, i »: j., ^ ,,,
I'.sddl.o No-Bol.r. . tmI!
’•om! ; n? . . , > %, \ u .i B:.
an.' I'lj .''-B4*
; -a nk
U 4 3
ddat- ■ U.-B i
! t i
'If ;B
1 !m nBo!.' Bi.
dr.dr>
'd V
B..d.B B.,;,., 1
. I?..'. :t
.'d , . V I B. I B L . ‘d . H '■ ■ f a, nl'
of, Ba» I , " I vB,. . V .1- o " I " . . '
a-, lad' ,:ns.iJi^.*a
10 (it %\ :.Ui I i
Io. <> i*;, »uv. •
;}.o. Mf n
3! na 3
n. a , B. , : ; .f.,.
■1. M*', Bf*.
■4 ! i
< "Ut Bdal.
■ ; ■ as-- 1 Mil; f ,
Bi;. Bfs, ■
B-;h ,
roi . lo. :
■dB., L,!,
■ t.ol
i J : .1
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J'o 1 "B. BI 1
i ni . nu : .
a i ! ■ ’ ;
•id". VIB, Vdd,
' 'B,, Vd. , \ aj
" La:
r. O'H f'f fuJ.t:''.
S.-I al , B.t S, ..
l’\ B'.
B ' B,-.‘ B'. ■ L B dd ' • '■ 4. B,
.-fii.f.-: '-f nn;UoB:B d*' ; 'Ov ' ii
'.'sii, .’sj, ’('•■2.
Banka, OaOtHld*. Miid J.Bdii.'-; Ii>
Van Uuvj'UB' ndl, '/’.'I
r.anJon dol, B.od, B4:o._ Vd.'*.
moat »4 iMiur;. BBa, BBI. Bra,, |o«''
I'n.iu td .B, if'.ud, BOL '-r.t; ,
jtitotry df i«»o4fr'l In, *»«»',*
UiUik’n of V. to ' .'Oflo!
ilankhrud, Iu:.
Lankrnid law. did., dH, d I dl.
r.ni'Boiir, rid)j|*, d.'s, d'^'k .ooi,
rB.“4 ; da'fsiir , V;. .• Id«-' i'l. ■■ ■ I , i
L.!.t1lBd V-rmu A •ii-m.-f iiu’w-a
r. S. Lank wIUj. ola, ofo
iBirlo-r, JiiMdi, 'V.' . ?a|. nf.. ■ a
INDEX,
785
Bassett, John Spencer, Dife of Andrew
Jackson, 38Sa.
Bay, , 111.
Belknap, 87.
Bell, John, elected Speaker of House of Rep-
resentatives, 226n ; interview with Van
Buren, 226a.
Bell, Samuel, 677.
Benson, Egbert, 18.
Benton, Jesse, 665a.
Benton, Thomas H., 384, 410, 426, 504,
511, 513, 533, 534, 535, 643, 665, 669,
676, 708, 778 ; account of Clay, 535 ; let-
ter, 668 ; relationship to Clay, 665n, 668,
669 ; speech on the Bank, 733, 734 ; sup-
port of Jackson, 723 ; “ Thirty Years
View,” 115, 204, 367, 391, 392a, 393a,
535, 668.
Berrien, John Macpherson, 213, 213», 214.
215, 216, 350, 350«, 352, 356. 357, 358,
359, 360, 361, 362 ; appointed Attorney
General, 257 ; letter to, 359 ; offered mis-
sion to England, 257 ; relations with Van
Buren, 216.
Bertrand, Marshal, 459.
Bibb, George M., 374, 454, 454«, 676, 751,
756 ; absent from Senate on vote on Van
Buren’s nomination, 533.
Biddle, Charles John, 634.
Biddle, Nicholas, 617, 633, 634, 636, 638.
644, 646, 647, 64771, 648, 657, 660, 661,
663, 683, 694, 704, 722, 736, 774, 781.
782 ; actions, 634, 648, 649 ; Clay’s visit
to, 660, 664 ; engineers campaign by mail
against removal of deposits, 607 : in-
fluence and power, 633, 634 ; interview
with Jackson, 619, 619a ; misunderstand-
ing of Jackson, 647n ; personal honesty,
650 ; Webster’s visit to, 779.
Birdseye, , 1067i.
Bishops, in House of LiOrds, and the Re-
form bill, 460, 461.
Black Sea, negotiation for open navigation
for American vessels, 257, 270.
Blair, Prank Preston, 321, 323, 358, 359,
377, 382, 532, 534, 535, 568, 571, 592,
601n, 606, 607, 614, 667, 668, 751, 752,
777 ; feud with Clay, 667 ; inform.s Van
Buren of McLane’s hostility, 569, 570 ; !
Jackson’s papers bequeathed to, 667 ; ’
letters, 607, 614, 669; letter to, 669;
regrets praise of McLaiie, 614 ; regrets
preventing resignations of Cass and Mc-
Lane, 608.
Blair, Mrs. Frank P., 667.
Bleeker, Harmanus, 429,
Boston, citizens meeting on nullification
proclamation, 547 ; mechanics’ procee<
ings prior to adoption of Constitution,
693, 694.
Boston Gazette (The), 680.
Bouligny, Dominique, 201a.
Bourbons, restoration of, 585.
Bowne, Walter, 76 h, 103, 103a, 547, 579.
Braintree, House of, 190.
Branch, John, 211, 21lJi, 212, 215, 350.
350a, 351, 352, 356, 358, 360, 361, 362.
Brent, Daniel, 421, 4217?. ^
Bright, John, opinion of United States, 479-
Brockenborough, William, 259, 259??.
Broome county, N. Y., 80.
Brougham, Lord, Van Buren’s opinion oU
472, 473, 474, 475.
Brown, Bedford, 676; support of Jackson.
723.
Brown, James, 128; speech, 129.
Brown, Mrs. James, 128.
Bruyn, Johannes, 39?/.
Bryan, Mrs., 436.
Buchanan, James, 289, 495, 556, 556??, 597 :
capitalizes prejudice against Eng'land to
gain Presidency, 49G ; conduct at Iilng
lish court, 497; envoy to England, 40<J.
497; on Webster and Clay, 662, 66.’L
663??.
Bucktail Bard, 947?.
Bucktail Bard, 94 ?i.
Bnel, .Tesso, 106?/.
Enel, , 61.
Buffalo and New Orleans road, 311.
Buren, town of, 10, 10??.
Burr, Aaron, 13, 21, 28, 32, 55, 109, 120 ;
charges against, 1097? ; conversation with
Van Buren, 400; duel with TTninilton,
16, 29; Van Buren’s relations with, 15.
“ Burrites,” 109.
Butler, Benjamin Franklin (of N. Y. ), 5:t<h
565, 597, 598, 605; approved for At-
torney Generalship by Van Bnron, 593.
C.
Cabinet, Jackson’s, 231, 244, 246, 249, 269,
610, 614; appointments, 593, 594, 595:
changes, 596, 604, 606, 608 ; dinner, 348,
349, 350 ; disruption, 356, 520 ; P’ederiil
tendencies in, 545, 546 ; meoting.s, 250,
251, 320; offer of place to Wel>stei*, 701,
706 ; paper on removal of deposita i'ea<t
to, 601, 6017?, 608, 737 ; reception, 351 ;
resignation, 856.
Cadwallader, Thomas, 047??.
786
ixnKX.
77LN 7<ir>, 7 (m. 7r»S: “ Arn.-nl" pniuphlrt,
:i*;7. a77. a7s, a7a, as(j, asa, a‘<u a^a,
:ias, r»«*a, 7*iu, 7au, 7rii, 7r»a;
SornMary of War, apia-ov t* - ni>3H»inf
mcnt. of Van lUurn ns Sooih tnry in St at.-,
.717; atta(‘IviHi by Clay, '’i»o, aai, :a>a ;
atla<-ks V.'in Ilun-n, ♦*»75 ; Itank ; jM-oi Is,
7aa ; bill to rojJi'al Kor*-«- 1*111, 7-l-i : r.oima
bill, aibs, laub am), a^s. aan; bns-.Us with
Ailiuas’ siipjiorlors, al l : obarta*'; aaaio^'t
Van Huron, ar»r., ah'»7, atls, a''l : oluirKos
ajuiiUHl W<'bsh‘r. t’.sl. <;s:; ; s-..nlifluu uith
Whlto, aa7« ; oonuait(o<l to iiuUtfl«'a ( U'n.
aU; const iMU-tlcui of W S. C.'usa it uf S“n.
:*l.a; oont*'st with .laola-atn, 7.VJ ; o«»isv»'S
ojition with Van Huron, -loi) ; oorrr ;j)onil
t sso«‘ with .Iaoks«»n, aaki, a7o, a7t», a7t’*a.
asa, aS't, asn, asr>: dobaio with ciay.
aa.'la ; <l<>onn«v' \ nn nuitoj's r
iovilatlon jiinl ariorwanls ahjn*ars, 'i.bo ;
<lisposi( Ion, aib; olos-trci \ {*’«• i*roNi»b'n*,
aan, ait; I''«-tl<raI Itios. ibat ; frssi
with Clay. 77 1. 777. 7t;n. faM ; iA.-a of
.I’soUsoJi's purjona* as to a Nn<*ooNs*ir. faC.
7n7 ; inooiosi.slotn v on tsisltf. -{It. 11'.*;
Si(OK‘;on’s <lot4ro to arn^st, 711; b-fit r ou
-I.moK ;on*.‘; S»'Uii!iolo Wsir roiulti«*t, h *
b‘j r\ 771, 77 la. 77o, 77r»fj, ;N{ a. 7 1 }.
ti'Ouinut 5ins for lha‘-;bbnt, 7S|, 7P7,
t omlusHloii for Vl<-*' Cro-ihlout, 71o,
tmnUioattou ;:ohomo, :n>7, 7n ;
<.n Ad.nms Clay t'j’awfor ! .ln«'lv,«tn o..i a**' t,
71.7: ojiposoa tin* jn**ia-y p'»wor, ItOu ;
o}>I)osi(jOn to, .’if’.V : ojtpo.Hhill t«» .l.'O li
soij and hi' johninbi ration, 777, raid;
<jp))i**-it b*!i t>» Van tJnn n, 717, 717, 7 1’’.,
770; orinlnatoa Inti-riml !jispro\<'
ou-nt polUyv, *111 ; norsonat rolation?: wHtt
Vjin r.io’on, :tHo, :tou. 70 1, anu, ivxi. aui,
:?b7. 717, 7M. 771. 77.7. 7 Ub 770, 777;
pulHlo'iI prtnoijdi-r. 717; i»*ilHhst! rnln.
7..1 : ProHidontlal <’inidhlat*y. UO. KU.
;;si, ikiU ; pronunohuuonto, 77*1 : <iuju r*l
V. 1th Criiwford, Ihhl. a<'*7. a«»s 7 Kh ;
onnrnd with .tnok}««m, Hot;, aov. ;;77. 77 1.
775. 777, 77.^, a71>. 7so, 7si. r;v}, ;iss,
no, 505, 500, nao. 7-IO: ronoUoH thi- infl
llfiosition hloa, 410: rofsort (»n Inloittal
linprovojuonlH, 700, 7oon ; rospoi* iOjUt.v
>(*r .stnrlinj.; hioa of rojotMliu. Van Hnron*M
n<oaination to IlnsLthind, 71*7, 7I7: losjuot
slbiUt.v for ll H. Hanlf, 411 : srhcf,. .{of
foi>on*K hlrlhdj»y <rinnor to laiiin h null!
lion t Ion, 417; Htwors frh*n»l?'hlj> with
•hiokooii, 740; Huooo‘;;'or to Jnokson, hot :
tn riti, 400, 410, 411. 4ia: toast at nulH
I t ’aJiipbi-n, .Itdin, tit,
j * ’.'Oupbolt, ■■ , 7so
I t'onnda. rrbi'Uo.tt, iM.
j < ’.iisadsaJi a di
I W*4':i{oj'‘> and
j 400, 70i»,
I ab., 10 tO
! < ■. * '-r..!' T. t-S 1 , I .
rasitto!'; , thf, V.07
■ r.astin*'. \ J . 70.1,
; i ',si'd-., " bray ” b.-f-
lOdnttt-y t'S'. I'bi
i (‘arin-its, , s«a. ,
I i 'ai'»**ls;n, N*.rf b. 7.0 i.
rnllisa, St.uUi,
117. -rot
00 0,
Too, 744 ;
; ;r':ai>i’7
anta
a.'.in!,.in to
\'an ran
bil!
io pa.o-,. 1
i'.b.s, dsi,
lore.
V J'jib. fd to
.Ubpo! t M
.noU'f. d*".;?'
I* tit ilb
Oizjarla n a H 0 :
iniHId.',
; lUilbstb'att
.iis satlO
l><, V
abolttioi)
of '.lav.'
p.f ,
■i Cb.i’. , 777
» b“b. y
■iy'a.fi«*n. oil, 7 10; pn-.t:
I ‘b.i;, 77 J : I'.dr .. . fo -.w
! ’.idans’ ton i*i'. 7.*
f fh u^inc, bsn Jiin-' «a' tb.* , 1
1 On'J'lhi- f ' *0, 1 !d‘vaj'*'i, 17 I ;
vojH.rt on bl* i.f’ . iO.O-
Tar u*n. Sitnsu* 1 I*. 707, 7',
»’ i- l..-w! a -to;, 7s fOfO,
ps'ojaifb'c ii,* «lj. -t I ‘sHilaj
d»*n. V. 407. Ha; ; . !>j ho’'. *■
t*f *t«iK.'.d’a OMs • .ta-l.
i r*"d/init ion. dOS ; t,UU,>’-n-
1 t»o'.|th. «.o7.. ran ;
1 fry of Hank, di*;:, son
, < ‘ Oljffttn. u. C H , 07-r,,
I f ‘!dt*al ."fat* . d,
C}ui,nib»-r-.. K/«*kl*-I f*,. 07/
< ba ffib'.a" . I !r!Ma , Oaf «*
< 'bu ;o'«'l|or ^if Nrw \7o1y
, .1 aiji.’ ..
< 'h:iudb-r, John, ’.'oj n.
(‘hnrhdfo (‘ottrl Ibot 'I
Com,. 4 0 1. 407
rhanin'S'.v, Ciita*', Mdl*. OHO;
( ’lnu'thanj, .ranso',, } I
< *!n !“*da*** ln*!!is n^. 007 : ;**!.
V .0,, 000; •■if..' of V
1!02; ta.nllb't will! o;..,!
pmib-tit do\frtJin**iO.
forfa with. 004' !;:n<la,
nnoisorbil, 000- t.-sb.-boi
007: •Jand n?i M-iaa-a
iuivaiituge, 200, 20.’>.
Cincinnati, Oliio, Wcbslta-’s speech at. <>01.
Circuit judges, appointinent, 218.
(’lass, social obligation, Van Xhiren on. 401.
Classification bill (N. 1^'. militia l, TiO, Gr»,
o7, 5S.
Clay, Henry, 108, 122, .145, MS, ir,!, 152,
153, 1(52, lOa, 1(55, ISl. 10;{, 101, 100,
107, 200, 220, 241, 24S, 255, .200, 300,
;{()], 300, 307, oOS, MOO, :52n, M50,
M04, MS2, M.OO, MOM, MOS. 420,, 440, 454,
508. 511, 515. 520. 52 1, 5M2, 5M4. 5M5,
5M7, 511, 512, 552a, 5(57, 575. (JI7, OMM,
(>M4. ()35, 037, (iM8, (552, (UwJ, OO.M.a, 005,
(UKi, 0(50, 072, 071. 075, 077, 07S, 08:i,
()84, TOM, 707, 700, Tin, 711, TM<», 731.
742, 745, 754, 750, 702, 707, '772. 773,
774, 778, 780; “American Systmn,” 411,
5*54, 555, 550, 550, 0S2 ; anal.ysls <.>l' \V<‘b-
sh'r’s action, 088, 080, 004 ; appointi^l S<‘<‘ \
rotary oi* Stale, 310 : appreeial<‘s Ib-nlou’:: j
account of tin* Adams (’lay charg(‘s, 008; ;
attacks Calhoun, 3.00, ,';ol, 302; attacks i
.lackson, 737; attacks N. Y. saOdy fund i
system, 741 ; attacks Van I'.urcn, 075, '
750 ; attacks ui)oii, O.'tO, OiiT ; backs lie |
tmuial improveiiumi policy, 111; Hcti
ton’s treatnuuil of, In bis M'iiirly Vcniv.
Vii'W, 535; bill to distrUtut(' proc<*<sls of
laiblic land amony; tie* Slat'-s, 742, 742a.
743», 744 ; bill ftu* p.-icitii’n I ion of StUilh
Carolina, 070, 081, 0)82, 0S.5, 003. 0‘.)3»a,
000 ; blocks Webster’s leadiTSb.'p in ^U*n
ale, 710; “brag” y,am<' with Ibdnd.c.v
t(‘r, 754, 755; calls for report on duties
from Se(!r(’tary of Vrt asury, 710; obar
acter, 5;50, 500, 501 ; <’harge:'. a;,‘,aln:.t.
000, ()08 ; charges against
044; <!()inparcd with WMisler, 500.
50], 718, 710; <’ompromise bill, 5.5<) ;
<'on<luct contrast (‘(1 with Wh'hHlcr’s, 500,
501; <’ourage, 002; ticatb. 53)5; dchoo-
with CalJiouu, 302, 303; derailed by
Jackson, (;20 ; defcgti'd f<.r Preshbau-.v,
082, OSO ; duel with Kandolpli, 20 I, 20".
534 ; efl’oris to induce him to run ms
Vicc'Presidcuit with (’rawford, 005;
fame, 713.; favor.-: Porcc liill. r»0S ; I’mid
with lUair, 007; feud with (’alhouii,
554, 555, 501; th<‘ “(Jreai Pacillcator,’’
085; hoKlility to Van Uur.-n, 521 ; bos
lilit.V to W(‘l)slcr, OTO ; in!lueiM*«*s \';in
Ibm.sselaer, 152; In.st nn ( hm;; in \V*'r.t
India trade ju^gotintion, 521 ; hast chain-
for i‘r<‘sld(‘ncy, 035; iendershlp in Ktae
ate, 712, 710; leads P.;ink »amj>aign, 0351,
043, 044 ; letter, 203/< ; b*((er to, <;00;
Livingston’s resenineuit, 7o5, 700; love
of brllUaut polifUsd 20(i, 203.;
.Mel Mdiie’s eooperation with, 717; on
Maysvilh‘ veto, 320; iina-nn.*; with Van
lUiren, 50.8; move («> o,ej-nu*n hi:-; Sen
008; opinion of South Carolina, 553*;
pm’soiiul relations with \’an Ilurcn, .»34.
535, 50S. 005, 007, OO.S, 0,00, 070 ; per
Ronal relations with AVelistt'r, 734, 735,
730; plan Xor increasing panic. TIT, 718.
710, 720, 73.0; on political allegiance.
070, 071; political <‘arc<‘r, 501; indlt
icul control of Jkinl; iauupaign, 0(3h 002.
004; political coiir.si'. 070. ‘HI ; political
manouivers, 080; pt>l!ttt’al relations widi
Wehster. 000, «;(;2. 003*. 070, 081, 082.
0S4, 080, 087, OSS. OSO, (3.M, OPO, OPS.
OPP. 700, 702, 703, 705, Tod*. 715; po.l
thm in nullUicntlon eri.Vi.-:, 554, 555, r»57’ ;
prejudice against I’aiglamh 501, 502;
Presldiudiul aspirations, 003; !h-e.;hteu
tial camlidac.v, 110, 131 ; Presldeulial
chances. 711, 714; private c<trrc;:iHmd
ence, 537a; <iua!Tct with .Luk.son, 500;
recoiicili‘S Webster and INdmlexter, 085,
O.so ; relationship to Benton, 005a; re
marks <ui postponing Senate commit («'-
aiipointuumts, 070; report on hill to dh;
(lihutt* pnx-eeds of puldic hind.; aiuou;'.
the States. 7-13. 744 ; reports failure of
Pnion Bank of Maryhuid, 73.S ; re.
<»iutlon i-alllug for .lae'.a.oa’s paper t**
Cahluel on removal <tf depo-dt 73V .
ierioiu(h»n colling foi* report on i he Pulou
!>unk. V3..S ; r. solid it«n:. im ;*enio\ul pMwer
of the Prcmdeid, V 13, V I3a ; re.aihdion ;
1«> restore tleposlt to \\ S. Bsuik. 7’ 17,
717/1, 728, 73*1. 732; Secretary of Stale,
157, 310 : servh’cf: l<v nation, hdai, 50l ;
•.pt‘e<‘h against Ih** Bank. 3,n:; ; speech
ngalncf Jackson’,': vct<> of rechart cr oi
Bunk, 022; speech on hlH South <’ar*»lhui
p.'Knlh'Ut ion hill, 0.8 t ; r pee<*h in reply 5»
W< •haler, r
50, 557, ; '
upportfi ■' 1' t
VI >
BUI,”
081
; (m-tlcs to a hi
the Ihtnk. d
31
035, 712,
713, 714, VL*.
7 Id.. 7'2(t. 7
'.!3.
727,
'3 1 .
*730, 73.V. 738,
V3P. 7 4U. 7
11
712, 7
44 ;
tacllcs to lia r
•avr panic, V
rv
718,
rip.
72 u, 73«i. 738
73!h VU:
o:
ta rllV,
2 U
; Van Burenb
visU to. I.
1 3*
visits
Biddle, (;oo, r.o t ; v
: It-. Van Bui
eU
153. 534, 004 ; Web. ter’: !
uth-niiit to tain
r«*ntroI of
Bank campaign
from, V2‘'’, 4
31
73*2,
733.
73 1, 730, : We
IcJer’ . .fear
of
0S2, 72S.
734 ; Webster*
< ippoi’id Ion
to
d,82, <
.83 :
WeiiKicr'*, , pe.
h ar.iilic l, «
33
08 1.
ay ton.
Am-
ant In S., 7 s2, '
'82/;.
(‘Inyton, John .M., 2(M/i: vhli f** 7t3.
Clergymen. comprnaL- tie* indlon ipn-sfioa.
1 'lini'Ui
. la
• Will. 3!*,
;p'. 50. 3
7. 3'
s, :iP
3Pa ,
41.
42, 13. (M,
Tin. 72, 7
'3. 8,
8d./{,
87, -
KP«, PO, PI,
P2, ‘J3, PS,
. PP.
1 OO/J,
lot,
iOln, 102. lU2u
. h‘L lito.
IOC,
, 138
14 1,
145,
, 100, 101.
lO'h 103.
Id.l,
, Id,.,
1P7.
228, 232.
253. PU.
o!5 ;
at(i
788
liS^DEX.
158, 159; elected, 1C4, 165; Eric Canal
policy, 84, 157 ; Fedci-alist connoctionM,
45, 46, 48, 40, 40a, 158, 150; inuu^iuni'
tion, 88 ; message to Van Bunn, 85) ; op-
posed by Van Biircai, 105, 163, 161 ; popu-
larity, 158; PrcsldiMitial candidacy, 37,
38, 30, 40, 41, 157, 158 ; r(‘(‘l<‘<*tt‘d gov-
ernor, 99, 144, 147, 164, 165; reelect ion
<*hanccs, 160, KJl ; nnnow^d from Canal
Board, 143, 147, 150; retirement, 103,
112; return to political po\v(‘r, 74, 75, 76.
76??, 77, 7S, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83; siipport<Ml
by Van Buren, 37, 38, 10, 41, 42, 75, 158 ;
supports administration, 86; Van Buren’s
address on death of, .160, 166?t, 167; Van
Biiren’s br(‘ak with, 15, 46, 47, 48, 101 ;
Van Buren’.s feeling toward, 0(5; Van
Buren’s relations witii, 149.
Clinton, Mrs. DcWltt, .149.
(4inton, C<><)rg(‘, 227, 411, 631.
Clintoniaiis, splil with R(‘jnihlieans. SO ;
union with F<Ml('ralis(s, 90.
“ Clov(*r bottom race eoiirs?*,” 755.
Cobden, Richard, 412; opinion of lltut(*<l
States, 479.
Cochrane, Sir Ah'xamh'r Forestor Iiiglis,
letter, 58//.
Cocke, Philip St. (Jeorge, 576//.
Colden, IVMliain, 401.
(k/llins, — , 106//. j
Colton, Calvin, PrivaO* C<»r!'(‘spon<ieuee of j
II<'nry (’lay, 52m//. I
C’oliiinhia n S(‘nlin<‘l (’rin*f. 305/. |
('omnieree, with P.rillsh \V/‘s( and
North .Vm/M-ieji. 274. |
Congr/'HS, attliud(‘ t«Avard appropriations, i
310,' ant ieij);) I io/i of ri*ei4]0s from sab* j
of i>ul)lie liinds, 117; Pv.ank a<lh<*rents in, !
658, 659; {{auk debate' in, 715>. 720, 726, !
727 ; Bank’s t'lrorls to inlln/Mice. (i5i, 656; !
Bank’s j/lans frustrated in, T5s ; P,ank i
pr(‘ssur(‘ on, (i5l) ; F.ank strength in. Til; |
Bank t/icticH U\, 712, 713, Tit. 715. TP*. !
771; e/ilLs for Instrin-I io/is l<» troops s<*nt !
to South Carolina, 54:;; dis(r/*sM nnnno |
rials in, 721, 722, 723, 724, 725, 727, !
TJOi, 739, 740, 74S ; (‘\l ra vamnn-e, 321; '
plan to fonn'iit panb-, 712, 713, THi; jmav ;
ers, 302, 316, 317 ; j/ressni't* on in behalf !
of Bank, 637, <»39, 6 lo, ttn, 61 ;;,*. ,sv '
also House of Ker/re.s«-iilattve-; aJm |
Senal(‘.
t’ongr/'Hsional Clobe (Tin*}. 357, 3,5.s, 3<5tJ.
377, 384, 386, 35/8, 532. 568, 587. dl l', i
730, 751, 774, 776//, TT7 ; urtleb*, 378; j
ehargoH bribery bv the Ihnik. 777 77.8
Convention, at Baltiinon'. (1832), 585,
588, 591; (of 184t)), 227; tirst o
kind, 581.
Coinvay Cai/al, 444.
Cook, I)ani<4 P., 182.
Coolldge, .Mrs. .ros«‘ph, 18;>.
(’ooper, Thora.as, 155), 155)//, 160; cnjiv
uiid/‘r th(‘ .Mi<‘n ainl S<‘di(iun law,
160, 183 ; .lelh'rsoii’s opinion of.
opinion of Jaek.son, 160; opjx/siat (<>
ton, 160; r/'lntions with Van Bi
160.
Cooper. Mrs. 228.
Corponitions, J;i<‘kson’s oppositi<in to
eminent being a shareh/»l<ier ia. .">5).“i
“Corrector" (Thi‘), 105).
Cotton. tarilT on. 210.
Courts, au.\-llluri(‘s o.r political, partiHaii
vantagt*, 290.
('ox, claim, 128, 125). 130.
Cox'. Mrs., 128.
Cranu'r, John, 145.
Crawford, VVillia
!m H.. 108,
122.
, 124
145),
150,
157.
, 162, 191,
! 98.
241
303,
307,
370,
371, 372.
373.
37-1
376.
380,
385.
, .'{86, 388.
M9,
5 1 i
517,
56<5,
57 i
), 57<*//, 6t
><5,
<>67,
charg(‘s ag/iinst. Isl, 182; Hounc rc
oa charges jigainst, 1S2// ; King's opii
of, 131; I/dtors, 3<;T, 3t;s ; Presidfs
candidacy, 1 U5. 131. M2. 115; qua
with Calhuun, .‘;<;6, 367, 3<;8, ,*{ 65 ), ;
snj>|)ort('d by Van Buren, MO; snjqinrt
235, 24t); V/ni Ituren’s visit to. <567, ;
Cr(‘ek Indi.ans. arnsst survt’yor.s and up]
to th<‘ Presid/'ut, 286; Ja<'kson’s n<l
to. 285 , 25)1 ; lands, 281.
< 'ret'k ( 'h('rokoc> C(»nf(xleru( y, 275).
Crok<'r. - , 177^
Crosby, l>arlu.s. 145, 145//.
Crosby, , si, s2.
CroNWoll, Kdwin, letter, 197. 15)8//.
CroKW/Jl, Harry. 401,
Crosweli, — ■ , r»5)S.
(hunberland Rou«I. idli, 117: ospen .e, .*{
luU-galt'S. 302, 307, 315.
( nnnlngh/tnt, M llli.'tni, eorresj/on/lenee w
Adams, 188//.
Curr<*ney, tb S. P.jnik rlaims rr/alit for 1
722.
Cui'tks, K/hvard, 5;m, 53.8; eoinhni
Hnrdn/jr fraud r.ase. 537; indtnmer o
W(*bs(er, 53t>. 5:;7.
CuHtks. H. W. P., 4 18,
Customs, duti/'s C‘For.<- Bdll’A. luU to
IKDKX.
789
)cbt, imprisonment for, 212.
)ebt, Public, payment of, 045, iMT ; r. s.
Ikiuk’s ol>striK*ts paying oft' of, 045, iMO,
647, 640.
)ecatur, Mrs. Steplnm, 152.
>(‘moei'ats, N. Y,, alliance of “ Ilighmimlod
Federalists” with, 105, 108; support
(ftinton, 150, 150.
)emocracy, p<‘rpotual struugb' with nioti-
archy, 485.
)einocratie Convamtion. 8cc ('ouventl<^u.
democratic l*arty, oppom'Uts, 480 ; Klistrust
of England, 402.
deniaon, John Evelyn, 470a.
denmark, successful negotiation of elaims
against, 275.
denliiston, . 8cc lauiison, John
Evelyn.
Oeposils, Kemoval (O' ibe, 600, <501, (>02,
(;02a, 607, 608, 60!d, 642. <556, 657, 050,
(50(5, 702, 714, 717, 738, 722, 72(5, T.'il,
7,20, 74(5, 747 , 7(56; an aid to Uank’.s
campaign, (558 ; jinalysis of, 725; d(‘hnt<^
in Ilons<‘ of U(‘pr('Kt‘nlat{v(‘.s on, 717, 718 ;
decid<‘d upon, (557, (558 ; ('ftV'ct on country,
(502, 607 ; .laekson’s paper iM'ad to (’ahiiuO
on, 001, (501a, 608, 727; iiuh'iX'ndeiH <>f
Frank’s loan curtailments, (55(5, (557 ; h*gal
procedure for, 714, 715; pnblh! sentiment
in favor of, <504, (506 ; restoration <»r, 7.17,
717a, 721, 722, 724, 725, 72(5. 7ii8 ;
strengthens hank, 628; Taney’s report,
on, 652 ; V'an Buiam’s di'fenso of, (502 h ;
Webster on, 702.
Derby, Lord, 4(54, 401, 400 ; Van ltur<*ii’s
opinion of, 475, 47(5.
M>ick Shift” of <ln‘ Fm-ktail hard. Idla.
1 00 .
Dick<‘rKon, John !>., 574.
Dickerson, Mahlon, 182, 188, 201 «,
242, 2(57, 585, (585; <le.slr(«s Vb*o I’re.sl-
(lency, 584.
Dickerson, Phihunon, 118.
Dickins, Anbury, 182.
Dlno, Dutchess <1(‘, 458, 460, 472.
Diplomacy, <‘lT(‘ct of Jackson’s charu<‘ter
on, 274, 275.
Diplomatic appointments, 251, 252; eorps*
a<lvers(‘ hleas of Jackson, 2(50 , 261, 2<512 ;
corps’ appndnujHlonK relieved, 2(52.
Disraeli, lienjamln, 4(57, 4(58.
Doddridgis Philip, funeral, 270.
Doindsoti, Andr(‘w JjU'kson, 270, 270n., 322,
241, 251, 252, 402, 412, 552, 602, (JDS.
(512, (512, (514; letter, 24(5; hdter to,
(502.
D(nielHon, Mrs. Andrew Ja<’kHon, 242, 344,
245, 248.
T>rnyt on, , 1(50.
Duane, William, 600.
Dudley, Charles E., 160, 262, 262//. 420,
502, 505.
Duer, John, 80?/. 104, 108, ioo, loi.
Diier, William A., 128.
Duncan, Alexander, 405,
Dunctinson, J. Ivt., 284, 2S5, 200.
T)iitch<\ss county, New York, cootest<'d dele-
gation, 82.
Duval, (Gabriel, 577, 58:5, 584.
Dwight, Henry W., 574, 574//.
E.
Earle, , 277.
Easton, Mias, 242, 244, 245.
laton
AlTaii
, 250, 220
240
, 241,
242,
,242.
.'544,
:M5, 247,
48, :\r
0, 25
1, 252
256,
257,
258.
2(50,
27.2,
205,
207,
4().‘5,
520 ;
th(>
tirst
Cahimd dinnm*,
248,
210,
250.
5a ton,
John
11 .,
22.5?/,
228,
241, 242, 2
42//,
225,
:‘.25??
;;4o
.'542,
,‘54.5
2.50,
252,
254.
.‘555,
:55(5,
257,
258,
250,
2(50,
2(51,
2(52,
2(54,
2(55,
.‘577,
.‘570,
280,
405,
40(5,
;50S,
.58(5,
587,
580,
500,
701,
751 ;
jippol/it/'d
(»0\M
>rnor
of
Florida,
5(51 ;
appointed
Minister to Spain, 264 ; .laekson’s wisli
for Ills reinru to plac/* of S(‘cr(‘t:ai:y nf
War, 705; lelU'r. 500; oppos<*s Jackson.
.'5(5.2, 2(55; r(‘call<‘(l from Spain, 2(54;
reslgnatloti as Secretary of War, 2*50,
256, 40(5, 407.
Eal<ui, Mrs. Oolin H/mry (F/'ggy 0’N<'ah‘),
242, 242, 241, 251, .'552, 254, ,'558, .250,
.’5(51, 2(55, 407 ; .laekson’s and Van
15nr<‘n*s last eali on, 407, 408.
Edwards, Nlnbm, 181, 57(5n ; appoinhal
Minister to Mexico, 181 ; churg/'s against
Crawford, 181, 182.
Edwards, Ogdtuj, 102//, 106, 10(5//.
Eld red, — — , 104/t.
Eh'ctors, IhTsIdential, New York moth' of
choosing. 142, 145, 14(5, 146//. 147.
E!<‘<‘tlons, N. V., ust' of mon<*y in, 222, 222 ;
V’an Buren’s hill agjunst; use of monty in,
221
ElmendorlT, Lucas. (5(5, 67, (50, 70, 71//, 72.
EIwvih, Dr., (;0(>,
Emlmrgo, 28, 102.
Emmett, ’rUomas Addis, 21, 24, (52 , 06, 1(50.
17(5; appointment a.s atlornty gtmernl of
N. Y., 20, 0(5; dtaith, 172, 172, 175.
Emott, .ramtes, 76//.
Engl/ind. Kcc (}r<*at Britain.
Epp<‘H, .fohn W., 425.
“ Era of (Jood EtMdlng,” 124, 126, 420.
Erl(‘ (Tnnal, N<‘W York, 84, 84/?. 85, 142,
167 ; commlssiont'rs, 01 ; opening ceh'hra
Hon, 157.
Ervings, the, 7r>5.
695 ; Webster’s speech at, C9S.
Federal Republican party, 734, 746.
Federalist Party, 494 ; continuance of, 124,
125 ; deserts principles in capitalizing
prejudice against England to gain Presi-
dency, 494, 495, 49G ; ruined by Hartford
Convention, 489 ; tendencies in Jackson’s
Cabinet; theory of adoption of Constitu-
tion, 545.
Federalists, 39, 40, 41, 43, 45. 47, -iS, 49,
49w, 59, 80n, 81, 82, 102», 104, 113, 158,
159, ISC, 193, 218, 220 ; address against,
SS/3 ; and anti-Federalists played against
each other, 46Sw ; Clintonians union with,
90 ; hatred of Henry, 432 ; New York
against Council of Appointment, 106 ; op-
position in New York legislature to War
of 1812, 49, 50, 51, 52, 56, 88rt ; in IT.
Senate, 710, 711 ; withdraw support from
Jackson, 449.
Fellows, Henry, contested election, 73.
Ferguson, John, 264.
Fillmore, Millard, nomination vote, 500.
Finance, Senate Committee on, Webster’s
]nove to obtain reference of resolutions
to, 731, 732.
Findlay, William, 210«, 235, 235w.
Fish, Preserved, 43.
Fitzhngh, Mr. and Mrs., 514.
Flagg, Azariah C., 147, 147 h, 222, 222/;,
586, 587, 598, 741 ; letter to, 591.
Florida, Jackson’s conduct in, 373, 375, 388.
Floyd, John B., ISl, 553.
Foot, Ebenezer, 32, 33.
Force Bill, 544, 544tt, 548, 554, 554/2, 681,
698, 701, 758 ; repeal, 744 ; Tyler’s vote
against, 710?i ; Webster credited with
passage of, 708.
Foreign relations, reciprocity in, 494 ;
party feelings in, 512 ; Van Buren’s
labor on, 273.
Forman, Joshua, 221 ; letter, 221w.
Forsyth, John, 272, 272n, 279, 365, 370,
371, 372, 373, 374, 380, 381, 386, 573,
598, 606, 662, 676, 708, 734, 744, 760,
761, 772; altercation with Poindexter,
757 ; appointed Secretary of State, 613 ;
defense of Taney, 738, 741 ; defense of
Van Buren, 539, 540 ; desires Vice Presi-
dency, 584; explanation, 373, 374; let-
ters, 370, 373, 389 ; letter to, 369 ; op-
position to Van Buren, 584 ; supports
J<ickson, 723, 724.
“ Forty Thieves,” 104.
France, 485 ; claims against, 609 ; negotia-
tion with, 274 ; Envoy from, party, 753 ;
non-payment of draft by, 612 ; treat-
ment accorded U. S., 487; treaty with,
599 ; U. S. disregards treaty alliance,
485 ; U. S. envoy to, 229, 251, 252, 433,
434 ; war with, 429.
ii’ranklin, Benjamin, 189 ; Adams on, 191 ;
letter, 191 ; opinion of Adams, 191.
French Indemnity bill, case, 649,
French Spoliation claims, 251, 272
on Webster’s unpatriotic speech,
Friends, Society of, complicates tin
situation, 285, 289.
Frothingham, , 103/?.
G.
Gaiilard, John, 115.
Gales & Seaton, 556 ; Register of
211/?., 215, 215«, 21?m.
Gallatin, Albert, 117, 297/?, 521 ;
to England, 521, 522 : report on
improvements, 297.
Gardinier, Barent, S3.
Gardner fraud, 537.
Garland, Hugh A., 435, 438.
Georgia, 414, 415 ; Cherokee laiii
292 ; cited to appear before U.
preme Court, 290 ; conflict with
rights, 282 ; conflict with U. S., 2
ernor asks withdrawal of missioi
Cherokee country. 293 ; India]
290 ; Indians claim self-govenimc
278, 279; missionary imposture, *
poses abolition of slave trade, 135
survey of Indian lands, 280 ;
416 ; versus Cherokee Nation, 29
German, Obediah, 47, 66, 93, 99
dacy for Speaker of N. Y. A
89, 90.
Gibson. Milnex’, 467.
Gilbert, W., 38, 39.
Girard, Stephen, 596.
Gladstone, William E., 468.
Globe. Congressional Globe.
Goat Island, pui*chase of a class ri
Goes [Hoes], Maria, 10?^.
Gold Spoon story, 7G9, 770.
Goldsborough, Charles W., 426.
Gooch, xVnne, 665?i.
Gore. Christopher, 76n.
Gorham, Benjamin, 575, 575a.
Government officers, appointmen
power to raise money, 304 ; remo
Governor of New York, state dinnf
Graham, Sir James, 468.
Graham, John A., 75.
Granger, Gideon, 82, 99.
Great Britain (England), allian
U. S., 485, 486, 493 ; circular e
American fishermen from Canadia
ies, 498, 499 ; claim to right of
528, 529 ; conduct in War of ISII
5S, 60 ; convention with, 203a
cratic party’s distrust of, 493 ;
favorably impress foreign ministe
feeling about War of 1812, 49
press in, 630 ; free trade in, 411
ship with U. S., 491, 492, 494;
ment system compared with U.
481, 482, 483, 492, 493 ; King, 4;
King’s judgment of Jackson, 4
>22, 523, 525, 526, 530; news of Van
Suren’s rejection by Senate received in,
L58, 454, 455, 456, 457 ; Nortii American
rade negotiations, 27 4 ; power of public
ipinion in, 4S1, 4S3 ; prejudice against,
:94, 495, 496, 497, 498, 499, 500, 501,
102 ; Queen, 456, 457 ; Queen's drawing
‘oom, 455 ; right of search in slave trade.
103, 528, 529 ; refusal of West India
:ra^e privileges to U. S., 522, 523 ; secre-
:ary to U. S. mission, 258 ; seizures of
American slave ships, 528 ; simplicity of
lobility, 473, 474; treatment accorded
J. S., 486, 487, 495 ; treatment accorded
l’’an Biiren on news of his rejection by
senate, 456 ; XJ. S. envoy to, 251, 252,
>57, 258, 260, 273, 325, 453, 496; Van
Buren appointed envoy to, 404, 405 ; Van
3uren’s nomination rejected by Senate,
595, 455, 456, 748, 756 ; war with Rus-
aa, 467.
ien, Duff, 3G6, B76n, 384, 397, 514;
scheme to defeat Jackson and elect Cal-
loun, 384.
5 ene county, N. Y., attempted depriva-
lon of its state senator, 86, 87, 88.
.‘gory, Matthew, 69.
iy, Lord, 479, 491 ; speech on the Re-
hrm bill, 460, 461, 462 ; Van Buren’s
jpinion of, 460, 461.
5 svenor, Thomas P., 27, 28, 62, 401.
andy, Felix, 226m, 325, 325m, 377, 37S,
i79, 380, 381, 382, 415, 568, 675, 670,
577, 681, 686, 687, 688, 690, 699, 700,
(03, 704, 707, 710, 711, 750, 751 ; belief
hat Webster would cooperate with
rackson, 677, 678, 679 ; meeting with
iackson and Van Buren, 671, 672 ; rc>
narks on Senate postponing committee
ippointments, 676 ; support of Jackson,
r23.
H.
ger, Henry, 44, 44 m.
ight, Stephen, 771, 771m.
milton, Alexander, 150, ISO, 190, 191,
L95, 227, 249, 305, 433, 486, 488, 495,
531 ; advocacy of monarchy, 471 ;
L'harges against, 120 ; duel with Burr,
L6, 29 ; favors special interests, 650 ;
cailure in Constitutional Convention, 471,
472 ; Jefferson’s opinion of, 186, 650 ;
ack as a political leader, 470, 471, 472 ;
Letter, 289, 298 m-^ 488 ; method of an-
alyzing a subject, 156 ; Monroe’s actions
towards, 120, 121 ; on implied powers of
Constitution, 297, 298 ; on power of gov-
ernment to i*aise money, 304 ; personal
lionesty, 650 ; report on manufacturers,
297, 304 ; the Reynold’s affair, 119, 120,
120 m ; sons, 109 ; theory of government,
339 ; Van Buren’s opinion of, 121.
.milton, James, 151, 169, 231 ; Jackson’s
flesire to arrest, 544.
ney for southern district of N. Y., 26o,
268; letters, 369, 370, 371, 372; letters
to, 370, 371.
Hammond, Jabez D., 86, 87, 88, 102 m^ 150 ;
Political History of New York, 9, 37,
39m, 41«, 44«, 48, 49m, 67m, 69m, 72, 73.
76m, 79m, 84, 84m, 86, 86m, 88m, 90w, 91m,
04m, 9Sm, 100m, 102m, 104m, 150«.
Hammond, James H., speech, 411, 411m,
412.
Hancock, John, 189.
Hardin, Benjamin, 308, 30871.
Harper, Robert Goodloe, 575, 57574.
Harris, Levitt, 441.
Harrison, Richard, 21.
Harrison, William Henry, 248, 536, 671.
Harrowby, Lord, 482, 4S3.
Hart, Ephraim, 91.
Hart, Thomas, 665m.
Hartford Convention. 49, 489, 547, 69.5.
696.
Hay, , 235, 236.
Ilayne, Robert Y., 213, 213m, 215, 216, 326,
414, 415, 454, 454m, 520, 667 ; experience
in Senate, 217 ; Jackson’s desire to arrest,
544 ; Nullification proclamation, 681 ; re-
lations with Van Buren, 216 ; Van
Buren’s opinion of, 216 ; Webster’s reply
to, 680.
Hays, , 33.
Hemphill, Joseph, 308, 30 Sm, 309, 310,
314.
n-ndri -ks. William, 454, 45471-, 676.
Henry, John V., 21.
Henry, Patrick, 487 ; Carrington and Mar-
shall’s report on, 433 ; character, 440,
441, 442 ; debate with Randolph, 435,
436, 437, 438, 439 : defeats Madison,
432 ; dissatisfaction with IT. S. Consti-
tution, 431, 432 ; genius, 187 ; Jefferspn’s
account of, 186, 187, 441 ; last speech,
435, 437, 440 ; letter, 433 ; letter to, 433 ;
nominated envoy to France, 433, 435 ;
offered Secretary of State, 433, 434 ;
opposes U. S. Constitution, 443 ; plot
against, 433, 434 ; political relations with
Jefferson, 444; political services, 431,
432, 440, 442, 444 ; pursuit of wealth,
433 ; reading habits, 441, 442 ; repug-
nance to slavery, 133 ; supports Adams
and Alien and Sedition laws, 433 ; sup-
ports Washington in Conway Cabal, 444 ;
Washington’s impression of, 443, 444.
Herbert, Bushrod W., 177Mi.
Herbert, Noblet, 177m.
Herkimer, N. Y., convention, 161, 163.
“ High-minded Federalists,” 104, 109 ; alli-
ance with Democrats, 105, 108 ; Van
Buren’s relations with, 105, 108.
Hildreth, Matthias B., 38m; death, 38.
Hill, Isaac, 584, 676.
Hoes, Maria. See Goes.
Hoffman, Josiah Ogden, 61.
Michael. 741.
792
IXIiKX.
Moflos, 43<>.
llogeboom, John C., tiO, JO; Invalv with Van
liiiron, 47, 48.
Hollaiul, Kin;- Williuin I, 0.
HollanJ, Lord ami Lady, 47.‘t. ;
Holland’s LllV of Van Bnron. i:to«, ‘Jo:,/?. ;
llolna's, lOldad, 547. i
liolmos, John, 201n. 242, :M0. 52n. C.sl;
ntta'dts Van lUinni, 524. 525: <i<'s«Tts
Van Bnron,. 75<> ; dlliioulty witli Uiin
<lolph, 20(>, 200 : pn»j)os<*s aiuoiKlmonts
to nil(‘ of 8i<‘nat(s 20S, 200.
Holy Roman Knipir<‘ (Holy 2 no, |
ik.
Horn, Monry, 504; let tor, .504.
Horso nu'iuK, 755.
IIoiis(‘ of (’(oniaons, pow^r, 4r>2.
Ifous(‘ of Lor<ls, d<*hat<‘ on K(‘forin hill in.
4(11 ; Bishops’ hcnoh In. 400, 401.
noiiS(‘ af K('i)roS(‘ntat ivos, aid to panlf la. |
747, 748; aiid-Bank niaj(»rily in, 711. }
771 ; Bank’s <‘lTorl («» nMinco Inwtih* ina
Jority In, 717 ; <!ol)n(o on roslornthm of
<lop<K-!its. 717, 71S; Pn\sld(‘ui lal <*h*<dloni |
In, 141), 151, 152; S<*loc( <’ominltt<M‘ n* j
port on lnv('sl illation of V. S. Bin»k, 77S, |
778a ; sp<‘nkor, 220)f ; Van Baron’s lan-op
(lou in, oti his rot urn from lOuropo, otiT. :
Hoyl, JoHsc, 550; lottors, 5.'h;, 5.'hw/, 55.s. '
Hnhhard, Tlu;C}-Ios, 45, 40, 00. 07, 08. 01)
70, 71a, 72 ; lottt'i* to Van Iturou, <‘»s.
Hall, Isaac, :itl), hUhi.
llnino, .Insoph, Van BaiMUi’s opinion of, tVS,
471).
lUunphroys, - - tJudm*). 40.
lIimtlnjL-ton, James, 47.
lluskissun, William, .521.
lluypjcas, Baroa, 201. 555, 554.
nuy;j:cns, Ma<Iamc, 552, 555. 554, 555.
1 .
Impeaohnunit. J(*fl’<‘rH(>n on, 1H4.
Imports, act to modify dntlo.s (('lay’s hlU),
005n.
ImprosKincnt of Kcnmon, 50, 401 : nomdiu"
tion, 452, 455.
Imprisonment for <loI>t, 212.
IndepoiHhmt Treasui\y hill, 500.
Indiana, applleation fen* relief from Ordi
imncc of 1787, 155; letter to ;-<tvernor
of. 527.
Indians, claim to self j!e>vevnm«‘nt, 277, 285.
280, 288, 200, 201 ; (?on|Ltr<*sK’ pro<*«*edinKs
<m land (tnesthm, 281; land qaestlon,
270. 280. 281. 200: nollcv. 28.5. 280:
successor, 505 ; opposfs Van 1
V'an Banm’s opinion <d’, 504, :
Ingham, Mrs. Saniut*! In. 54S,
Inglis, Sir Robert, Van Buren
with, 182, 185.
Inglis, Bishop, elaim, 172, 175,
Internal Improvements, 185, 10'
;;po. 5ot)a. :hM. 502. :10s. me.
514. 515. 51tk 520. 522. 521
557, :;:;8, 411. o.ii, 704 ; cunii
and lAdcral p<»\v«*r, 117; Co
aiiu'ndmenl, 515, :U<> ; (lulhi
<m, 207 ; namlUmi <ni, 208
pjilicv, 207 : .1 eUVr'-ani on, 20
on, ;>50, 555; Monroe’s pttNiliu
5U2n, 50;;, 504, :;o5, 500, 2,07.
throw of polh'V, 172; p«)H<\v
172. 207; pi»lltleal import
powta* hehiml, 520, 527 ; st<
\'an Uarejj on, IIT. 510. 521
Irish, William B.. 2:: I, 25 L
ment. 127.
Irving, J(din 5’.. 85, :.*58, Pill,
Irving. lN‘t<*r, lot).
Irvini*., Washington. U»0. 15 1, «
towards MeLane. Olo, p»n ; 1
0 1 1 ; h‘t t er to, <U i : <»n t he
(ton, 01(), tU I ; ■'••endary
iiU"' lon, 258,
J.
Jarkson, Atnirew. 110, 150, 15*.
102. I<i8. 181, 10 1, 108. lot
21tk 220. 225/1. 251. 25t). 24
250.. 257, 2S4, 205, 5or,. ;;1(
570. 5.72, 5.SO. 5., si, 58. ». 5. s*
508,
5.0‘t,
401.
4(^2,
400 .
n<
418,
no.
420,
425/1.
42 1.
12
445,
440.
4rd).
45!,
405.
.»o;
5 1 7,
» 1 8,
522'
525i,
• »2 4 ,
52t
550,
5(;o,
57.5.
5*< •»,
eV7.
57*
5Stl,
587.
500.
502,
Ool.
o»o:
014,
015,
<uo.
018.
2 : 4 .
'.5.8
OOtl.
ct;?,
Om 1.
070 *.
077.
07.'-
088,
t;oi.
002.
(5.) 4,
005,
001
700,
702,
704 ,
7t)0.
Tos.
7K
740,
751.
7tU,
705,
780 ;
act
adminlstraf Ion,
244.
2 to.
25 1
administration
opp<e eil ,
250
288.
280
200.
202.
2'J5,
7ot)
ndministrnf ion’.i orl.il .Itle,
advice to Monnn*. 25, 4, 255
Van lUiren, 571 ; aid to. 5.1 j
mice with WelKler. 072. 07'i
OHH, 080. «;0t), tioi, tiOT. 00.'
701 Trn'*. 7o7 7oO 711 •
by I*oiudoxter, 745 ; atlack<‘(l by Kau- i
dolpli, 547 ; attitude toward Bank, 019, |
Oit(i ; attitude toward South Carolina, i
51S ; Bank policy, 590 ; belief in iuten- ■
tional disrespect of Sonato, 599, 600 ;
Biddle’s interview with, 019, OlOw ;
Biddle’s niisiiiiderstanding of, C47w ;
Cabinet, 244, 240, 251, 200, ^40, 341,
5(i8, COl, COIt?, 008, 014 ; Cabinet ap-
pointment troubles, 693, 594, 595 ; Cabi-
net cluinj^es, 596, 004, 000 ; Cabinet din-
ner, 348 ; Cabinet disappointments, 229,
230, 231 ; Cabinet disruption, 520 ; Cabi-
net’s federal tendencies, 545, 540 ; Cabi-
net meetings, 250, 320 ; Cabinet dilfcr-
ences of opinion and Jackson’s method
of settling, 202 ; Cabinet resignations,
350, 350, 400, 407, 012, 013; Cabinet
scheme of Webster, 072, 701, 700; Cabi-
net worri<'K, 010; charact(‘r, 229, 207,
275, 270, 312, 313, 353, 380, 397, 403,
543, 514, 710; cbarg’es against, 750; con-
duct in Florida. 373, 375, ,“>83, 754, 755 ;
conduct at New Orleans, ,“»83 ; coiuIikU
in Seminole War, 754, 755 ; Cooper s
opinion of, 100; ('orrespon(l(UU‘<‘ with
Calhoun, 300, ,375, 370, ,3TOu, 383, .381;
coui'se in W<*st India trad<‘ lu^gotiatlon,
527, 52S, 529; (l<‘cld('s io rcunove d(‘-
poslts, 057, 058 ; <l<‘nounc(‘<l, 424, 425,
000, 739, 758; (b'Siia's io aid Soulh (kirt)-
liiia, 053 ; <liplomalic corps’ adv<'rs<‘ id<‘as
of, 200, 201, 202; dismissal of Duane,
003, 003a, 058, 090, 704 ; <Iom<‘sti •
policy, 275; 10asl(‘rn tour, 002; Katon
affair, 3,39, 341, 353, 35S. :i59, ,3()0, ,“.01,
.“>04, 305 ; last call on Mrs. Baton, 407,
408; efforts to pay off publb* <l('bt, 047;
el<‘cted Ib'esldcmt, 220 ; elect i(m (of 1S21),
449 ; embaiTassed by <pu‘stbui of Conste
tutlonul th(‘ory in Mullidcatlou excite-
iiumt, 545 ; <‘nemi(‘s, 058, 059 ; es<‘orts Van
Buren to Capitol on IntBu-’s ndurn from
lOngland, .500; faith in tin* pt'opb*, 025:
f<‘(diug as to Cabiiud; nuMdiugs, 250;
hig of English p('ople toward, 449, 450 ;
f(‘cls Van Buren’s absence, 50,8 ; friend-
ship, 314, 582, 755; friernlshlp s<*ver<‘<l by
Calhoun, 749 ; h(‘nlth, ('25, 0.37 ; h<»rse
raedng, 755; Inaugural addr<‘HK, 240; in-
climition to personally urn‘st Calhoun and
others, 544 ; Indian policy, 270, 285, 280.
280 h, 294, 295; Internal Ijujirovtumuit
policy, 297, 310, 311, 312, 315, .320, 321,
.327, .3,35, 3,30, 337, 303 ; “Judicious tnrilT.’'
110, 240; the King’s estimate of, 450,
451, 4,57; lett<‘rs, 198. 198a, 224, 224a.
233, 2.34, 2.3.5, 238, 248, 203, 2(;4. 321,
.322, .3.54. 301a, ,374, ,387. .507, 507«, .508.
50871, 595, 003, 004, 705, 705a ; lett<‘rs
on launoval of (b'poslts not pubUshe<l hv
onnommts. 008: hitters to. 245. 201. 321.
with Van Buren, 2.32; meeting with Van
Buren and Grundy, 671, 072 ; meets
inillification threat, 415, 416, 417 ;
message, 420, 421, 543, 544, 546,
595 ; annual message, 335, 337, 420, 421,
445, G45 ; message on Georgia Indian
land case, 280, 281, 286, 286a ; .s'ca also
under veto infra; message? to McLain',
582 ; method of settling Cabinet differ-
mices, 262 ; the Monroe letter, 233, 234,
235, 236, 237, 238, 239; New Orleans
visit, 368, 369 ; nominated for President,
515; nullification dinner toast, 415, 410.
417 ; Nullification Proclamation, 543,
540, 547, 548, 550, 552, 553, 680, 684.
098, 70.5, 70574, 706; nullification threat
and preparations to meet it, 413, 414 ,
off<'rs Van Buren Secretary of State port-
folio, 224 ; opeiioss iu public matters,
3.22 ; opinion of Livingston, 704, 705 ;
opinion of Van Bnrc'n, 12, 503 ; opinion
<if Cass and McLarie’s resignation, 608 :
oppose<l by Bank, 531, 016, 617, 640,
644; sac also under Bank (Second), U.
S. ; opposed by Calhoun, 6()3, 749, 750,
751, 752; .s‘c<! also undar Calhoun; op-
l>os<‘d l y moui<'d in(<‘r<‘sts, 449, 450 ; op-
posed by South Carolina, 542 ; opposition
to, 713, 716; opposition to Bank, 626.
647, 656, (>57, 777 ; opposition to cor
porations wi(h the Government as a
shar ‘hohh'r, 595; ov(‘rthrows intermil
iiuprov(‘ment policy, 172; paper road io
C’abinel on removal of deposits, 601,
601 a, 608, 737; pap(‘rs, 321, ,32l7i, 571;
Barton’s Lib' of, 749, 74974; personal
fc<‘Ilng against .T. Q. Adams, 269, 276.
271 ; personal ladalions with Van Buren,
232, 2.33, 242, 243, 245, 402, 403, 405,
406, 506, 507, 515, 516 ; plan of electing
\'an Bun'll Vic<*-Br(‘Sldeut and then n •
signing the Ih-esideiiey in his favor, 506.
507 ; pledge to pay olT the public del>t,
3.24; Bolndexler’s support, 754; Ih)ln-
<b‘-\der’s antagonism, 755, 756; polieb's,
3>13, .•i21 ; popularity, 253, 255, 7X0; por
Irayal by Van Bur<‘u, 3,12; position on
tariff, 116, 239, 240, 241, 242, 554 ,
prcf(‘n'nce for Bmmsylvanla in sidecting
a Sf‘cr<'tary of (he Treasury, 59(>, ,597 ;
preparation of public papt'rs, 313; Presl
dentlal n'cs'plions, 230; iiroposed for
BresUh'nt, 198 ; quarrel with Calhoun,
.366, 367, 373, 374, 375, 377, 378, 379,
.380, 381, 384, 388, 410, 505, 500, 520;
(piarrel with Clay, 560; laadection, 626,
(»3,6, 639, 657 ; refust's to 8(*nd to Senat(‘
pjip^'i* n'ad to CabliK't, 7.37 ; la'gards n*-
ele<dion as mandate to suppress tin*
Bank, 657 ; lada, lions with White, 22()a,
674; remark about; the Bank, 025; r<‘-
moval of denosits. 600. 601. OOlTt. 602.
794
! X I'IvS
iV'at, ,‘iS‘l ; second torm, Sfiniiud.-
W'ar controversy, liTl, ’MWi, ::71,
373, 374, 383, 388, HlUI ; Senatorial sup-
port, 733, 73't ; semis tr<)<){>s to South
Carolina, 543; Htruyjrie with the Ua.uk,
(125, 02({ ; successor i<». 5o i, Tsm; ;
su:.^Kests l>uan(‘ for Se<*rotar.v of :h‘
Tnaisnry, 51H) : talk to ('r»‘.>ks. 2S.» :
ur}^('s iiiodhication of larilV, r..»4 : \'aii
liiiiMui aTid Callujiin eoopora to ti» olo«‘l,
51 I ; \'an i;iir(‘n’s dofciisi* of roioovaJ oi
tlcposUs, (ll)3a : Van Itunai’s <ipiniot; of,
245, 25U ; veto of Clay’s IMihlio Laml
Sal(‘s hill, 74;>, 714 ; vot<> of Uank
charter, 21)4, 51 <i, 53.1, roki, (UM, ro:;.
322, 323. (12 1, 321), <M7, (hkl ; v(4.* oi
.Maysvilh' (urnpilu* Mil, 172. 172a. 322.
323, 324. 325, :i2t>, 327, 328. :’.2i). :'.:3).
335, 337; V!e<*- UiM'sithMit iai <’amlhlaf'
for, 58 1, 587. 581) ; to I’la'.teru
S{at(‘s, (!S!), <;i)<); vote a;,ain.s( thanloi »'»
Washinylon, M!.”. ; Whie; efh>rt to : oo.i
rali‘ from Van Uunui, 5lp; wishes Van
Unroll (u return to Soor«4ary of Stale
posllUui, 70.5 a ; wl.shes Van Uuren to
rettirn (o I'. S.. 508; wishes Van Utireu
(o he Vlee 1‘reshhml, ;»S0, ,51)t>.
.Jackson, Haehel tMrs. .\mir(‘wi, attaoK * if,
201 ).
.laekson. Willlnni, 120.
.lame.s Kiver. harons of tin*, i:’. t.
■Jay, .lohu, IS. lo, I i;y
.Jay. Ueler A., 73. :. |V. .5 1:)
ll’errioii, 'rimnia;-
. !). 1
S. 30. 1 17. 1 !!». 12 1
122, 121.
120.
127,
K”. 1. 1 :•.!», no, ni
147, 150,
15!).
!0S.
174 ', ’ •-* 1 , I s5. 1 ;
ISK, ISO.
102.
1!)3.
3U), 112,
‘1.3,
1 : s.
12 s, 1.32. 1 :;::. 125
448, 44!).
4!> 1.
4! >5,
or»o, 7ik» ; .o'l oun!
of Cat rick
He!
ar.\ ,
ISO*. 1 S7 ; tK4te| ii;
Hamilton’s
perr
•onnl
homr ly, t;;*0 ; hi Ml*
<lay ci'lehratlon .llnncr at uhleh nui ^
Ulicatlffn was hnmehe*!. 4 13. 11 4. 115, |
4 10; free(!oin from iH.lltiiMl ram or, 1'..3; ■
h’llfU's, l8.>, ISO, loo. i0‘>a
4.32, 432a, 4 11, 14 la ; mistake a t,*’ i
Henry, 433; on »*vUs <»f life tf*nure m .
Suprtune Cffurt. 1S3, is j; «»n Impem h 1
ment, 184 ; on lutfomal Improvements,
207 ; on Pntriek Henry, istl, isy. J U ;
innietunllty, 187, iss ; <»plnlon of HamO
ton, 180, 050 ; Oporpm of \Vn.shin,f;lon, is.,.
ISf?; poliey, 140; politlenl relations witli
Hf^nry, 441; principle of jmtronace, 123; I
Kninlolpli's ho.silIUy, 2t),8 ; repimmine,* to
.toinisoii. Wiiliam. 0 1a, 202, 20
.lohnston, S,. 15!
500, 5th o*.
.{ehnstfin. .lo.slah SfndOar.i, Mr
.!<»nss. Henr.v v'., lei for. Uuu:
Uu).i.
.tones, .tame , I PO
.Ii»nes, Sannief, !<»! ; (enfirnoM
cellor, 15s.
.l*»ne:'., hr., visit to \’;iu Unr.-u,
.1 udielary Uill, lOS.
.1 ml ieia ry oOirer.-, appei .0 nieM ,
.lu(li<4ary s.fOfMii, '2!S, ”{0. 22o ;
cal maehine, 2 to
.1 ust ic<": ,tf t he j>ea. e, :■ pp.iiuf n
K,
U.nie, I'Oias iv.. OfiJa, .'»7o. .57.3
portri .laf'lo.en, 721 ,
Kee- e. ,M r • , 12
Ktuuiall, Am. e. .,sl. OtCa. t.o'j.
Kent, .I.ipie . .’ V, .5 i. f’.ti, 0 :, 00,5
I)>2. l i'.,. o! V, 5 10 ; a lie. spites
Oe.'l »<'i! . V ' ry ij. 0 1. <; hi ; j,
0.3, 0, 1 , 04 !t ; Memoir ami 1 aO
KfUt. .I -eph. o.; v.
Kentm-ky Ar;:u. I’rim*. O.s.,,
kontueky IP ohPien ,. ;;ity
Ke'. hehe;. . S'/. hit, n;;-;
Ive.^ '.tfOie S(af.\ 311.
iHmOThoek. \ i ,. \ : o jpji
i oa.
Liie'. Ailiiit. fo.:;
K in; , ( harli .. 1 on, ; to
K!i);:. Jnme' r, hct.',
Kansr, .Inhn \ , ‘ O.'i. '.r.Of, lo.i?:,
K I !: . .!f»kn 1*,, f,h’»
Kim*. Unfm\ 5o. Mop |t»o,p
H».*. Ml. i:in. t:0'. t.m, tr/j,,-
140, 117. 110, Ifh, .*71. 57 h
men* , t:;! 0 ( ; af OtI. r. i|
meni, lit?; aff;*;-!,,-. .•Omk.r |.,-
15 1; l as-eer. K..* ; (imrai ter,
dentil, 155; **!e* 0 i«»i 3 , J.*^, Js ;
eharaeteri/.ai Ion oi, I5f. ; !*•!
Life iiinl i ‘o! re pi.isl.-i;.-. ■. -Ji;.
73ia, 70a. loi.'a ; Minl-.f.-r f*
155; eplnhm of < 'ra v. final, i:
tlon to slavery, l;:0 ; reelerteO
tor, I on; rektJi.im itli Van 1
lohi. !0S, 1.3(1, !3h I3;p i;..j
M7. h5-|. 155; ‘.upp.irf of M‘a
INDKX
795
L.
Lab(»\u‘hor(', il<Mir.v, 471).
Lacy, Drury, 435.
Tial’uyct tf', Marquis do, A<ianis’ ad<ir(‘SH on,
22()a.
LaiuiH, Public, cession, 31)1 ; cluiirman of
J^leuau^ C'oninntteo on, 745; frauds, 715;
Indians, 271), 2S0, 21)0, 201 ; proce<‘<ls of
sale of, 117, 712, 712a.
Datisdownc, ISIanjuis of, 4(U.
liUrwill, Joseph I!., r*S<;, r)Sr>/i, r>S7 ; hoii-
nso.
laithuer. ■ , 572.
Leake, , 1)0.
Leaven -worth, — , 17.
Le<\ William, 70.1), 701)a.
Lee. Henry, 431, 411 ; j)Io} a.aainsl Henry,
433, .}3} ; letter, 433; l<‘tl(‘r to, 433,
ladph. ihaijamin Watkins, 422, 425, .557,
733; attitu(h‘ on Hank (pn'stlon, 051);
visit to ('lay, 713.
Leip<T, (Jeorac (L, 111), 281).
T^elidnu*. LolauM, visit to <’Iay, 743, 744.
l./t'V,'is, Moraan, t.3, 28, 32, 44, 45, 00.5; Van
Hnrtui sni>ports, 15.
Lt‘Wls. William H., 232. 325, 32,5a. .310. 301),
.371, .372, .373
, .370.
387, .38 S,
3,89,
•105. 400, .579
, 580,
581, 5S<;,
588,
<JH»; lettis’s,
213//,
.370, b.S.'h
.580,
letters to, 370
, 5S2.
590.
Little Ha/ul ”
llhirriles), 109.
Litth* Pr!ite<s tmlian chief, 28u.
Idvintydon, L<l\va rd. ISl, r><>S. .505. 014,
088, 701, 702, 704, 705, 70.5^; jippolnti'd
Mtni-d.T to Franee. 221). 251, 258. 251);
<iiMdines Fi-<*n<di ^^i^:^ioa, 251), 20o, 200//;
rurelK.dlnas of .L'udvson’s a<lminlsj ra 1 i<»n. ]
221). 2(H ; Fri'tieh Misrdon. .503, ,51)5, 51)S. '
705, 705//; (h‘f;i!<'!itlen <4»ara<‘S .Mj-:ilnsl,
705 ; <lr;if(a NulUlication Proclanmtion,
705, 705//. 7o«I. 707 ; .J/icks.ai'.s opinion
of, 701, 70;5 ; h tter, *!**.0jf ; opinion of
Jaekson. 221) ; oppi.N. a Hank charter voto
and removal of <l<‘po.*'itr-,. <»0.3 ; oj/posos
.Inekaon on the Haidc, 705; relations with.
Weh.Mler, 715: report to W<4»st4*r, 705,
7(>0 : r«*H<‘nl me/ii jiy.-iiimt <’Iay, 705, 7O0 ;
Seeretary of State, 705 ; V'.mii Ituron's
friendship for, 7o4.
LivinKHlon, LdwnnI P., 32. 33.
tJvln;j;Hton, Harry, 27,
LlvIn^'Hton, P«4<*r IL, 50.
Livlni^ston. Itohcrt, l/uid palcnts, 22, 23,
TJvinmdon, Hohert It.. 44, .50, 259; hdter
Louis Napoleon, 585.
Loui.siana, and slavery, 1.30.
Lowndes, William .T., 122, 300, 301, 411,
411n. 412.
Lowrio, Waller, 2.35, 235//, 239, 242 ; char-
acter, 238, 231) ; controversy with Mon-
roe., 230, 237 ; el(K‘ted Secretary of th<'
Senate, 238, 231).
Lneas, Robert, 501.
liUdlow, Thomas W., 773.
Tj.von, Matth(‘w, Imprisoned under th(‘
All<*n and Sedition law, 439, 440.
M.
itlcArtlmr, Duneatn 18L
Mjicjiiil(\v, 4'homas Hahlnj^ton, Tjord, 404,
408, 401).
IMcDutlle, Heorge, 391, 41G, 500, SGOw- ; au-
laj;-onism to Jackson, 713 ; cooi)eration
with C'lay, 717 ; Jackson’s desire to
arrest, 544; supports Hank, 713.
Meinlyns Arcdiih/ild, 00; letter, 95, 95?/';
1(4 1 (M’S to, 05//.
MclC(‘an, Samu<4, 7(>3, 700.
McK(Mi'/le, William T.., .530, 538; Lhms
and opi/dons of H. F. Butler and Jess(‘
Hoyt, (dc., 530//, 538.
McLnne, Louis, 110, 140, 149//., 150, 151,
211, 273, 422, 482, .502, 503, 508, 510,
511, 575, 575//. 580, 508, 500, 000, 002,
000, 009, 012. 013, 014; acei'pts TOn^^-
ll.sh mission, 258 ; aUhsI by V/in Hxiren,
577, 578, 005, 009, 010, 015; apixdnt/'d
pn‘Kldenj of lamkin^ comp/uiy, 017; j/p-
prov<‘s of I)uan<‘ as S(>cr<4ary of Tr<‘as-
ury, 597, 001 ; heli(4’ in fsi II ur<‘ of Jack-
son’-s administration, 230, 579; chatus*
of /ippointment on SuprcMue (h/urt, 577,
578; clniracter, 577, 579, 590, 592; con-
liriinal Jis S(‘cr(4ary of ’rrca/airy, 531,
5.32; conli/nnixict^ in ofllce, 009, Oil;
<*onv(‘rsjitlon with Jackso!i on cabliud:
chanties, 590, 597 ; cours<^ on protest of
Fnmeh dr/ift, 012 ; (h'siia'S Suprenu'
Fourt appointment, 583>, 584 ; ditLuaaKacs
of opinion with Van Hinam, 005; dis
appointimml. at not ladip^- in Jacksoti’s
cjihinet, 2.30; disposition to mi‘ddl<‘ in
tin* H/ink controversy, 001 ; duplicity in
ohtainluf^ appointnamt of Duane, 594,
590; first anmnil rejxad. as Sc'c'n'tary of
Tr(‘j»sury, 581, 000, 00 1 ; friend attacks
Van Huron, 509; friendship fc/r Van
Hun‘n, 581, 001 ; hostility to Van Huren.
796
IXHKX.
rtppoHOs TCio of bflnk churtor nnd rv
moval of (lopOHits, Ooa, Oot ; partliiUiy
for Bank, 600, 60'2. 60:», \IU\.
617; personal relations with Van Unri'U.
076, 674, 075, 576, 577, 57.S, 570, 506.
611, (>in, 614, »Ur». 616. t;i7; pulitl.M!
practices, 614; pn'sidontlal aspirations.
5S6, 5S,S, 615, 616, 617 ; ri‘<’ommouf!s i '*
charier of T. S. Bank, 531 ; on rcautvul
of deposits, 662; recjncsts explanatiun
from Van Biiren, 572; reslj^uatimt. tioo,
60S, 601), 610, 612, 613, 614, tn5, tU7 ;
Secretary of State, 503, 5l)S ; Serr«‘tar>
of Treasury, 5!)S ; s<*lf inter<*Hl, tU4. tUtl.
617; successful n(*t;olIntion with (Jrcat
Britain, 274, 523. 531 ; siiKP’"! - Van
Biiren’s declining; Secretary of State ap
ixdntincnt, 230; as to liN
Inst met ions, 530; thnait tt> retire froju
public life. 504; visits Van Btiren, 570,
McLeod, Alexan<U‘r, ease, 4t»6, 46tla.
M<’NairyH, the, 755.
Macomb, Alexander, ,310, .340a.
Aracon, Njithanhd, 120, 120a, 200, 211. 221,
236, 241, 242, 3tlK, 655, 667; Intencfh -.
with Jaekson to <*hanK<* removal of dcjio’.
Its plan, <>07.
Madison, .lames, 2iS, 36, 37, 40, 41. 12. 13.
47, 57, 63, 117, 110, 121, 122. 121. 12<;.
130, 102, 10,3, 310. 32S. 411. 112. 41 K.
421, 440, 471, 404, 631 ; deft'ftied for V. S.
Senator, 432; on lii(<‘rnal huprovciin tit ..
330, 331, 334; Iett<ws, 330, 331. 334 : h t
(ers to, 100, 100a, .330; principle of {uit
ronaj^e, 123; Kand'dph’s hostility, 26S ;
report on Alien and Sedition laws, 3«i2 :
repnipianee io slavery. 133; tactics in
sccurliitr tlrst anKnulmentH to S. (‘on
stitutiun. 46S7X ; veto of Bonus bill, 200,
300, 330, 331, 334.
’* MaKh'hin, Th(‘ ” (Van Buren), 226n,
Malson Uon/;^* Tra<*t, hill, 12H. r20. 13o.
Mnllary, Uollln <\, 160, 170«.
Manf,nnn, Willie P., 677.
Manufaeturers, annual petition (u <’oniO' >. ■
160 ; craving,' for tariff benetlts, 550.
Manufactures, Ilnmllton's report on. 207,
Marbury vs. Madison, 201,
March, Cniarles W., 6S1, 6.S0, 7i)2. 7o3. 7iil.
706, 707, 708; Ucininlsct'uces of < 'oin‘r»>,\h.
700, 700a; Van BurciVs opinhm (>f. To I ;
Van Bureu’s opinion of his 1 mh»K. 7oh
700.
Marcy, William L., 101, 163. 165. 160 , 503
504, 562, 505, 508; h‘tt<‘r to. 500.
Mjirithne rights, 60, 60n.
Marshall, .Tohn, 175, 178, 210, 250, 4.3i.
\ia ".eii, » j , tM! :ii ; '
M.l'-on,-., \ III ; , Cm , ’ < i.i*
MU'C -irhnM'fr,.
th«‘ t.iii'.r. <
|i ? iU'e, T'l”, 733,
Me ye. , In . n .
\I, ICC ill. . \V., hiiv.f-.!',.
Ttirnpilu- '»
< 'uij' tlt nf ieji ii|>, 327,
tT2n, 323. 321. 325.
330, 335 337,
M.Orc \V nil. I in \t . I.ifr
576a,
McllHiunu'. I.itfo, m's : .!
Memminlc ctomin- dyifr
"di'trcNH," 721.. 721*.
736, i*3!f. 7 lo, 7 f \
tifj ill’.crct ief; t(| 13 »
p}'r‘’»cnt lui;. 77* I, < I
Mercer. < ‘Inti'h-'i I i hi (*o
Mercer, Clhilien re;!!)'',' ,
Mciclmnt'*, iinuH' l.d .onr
MldiUc Stilt. , ice p , ,
tlnciitm. 25‘.»
Middl* 1 1« tn > , I 1 !>. 1
Miller, >‘)i pbi ij I » , t:, 1 ,
MilUta. efti. c , . 5'ef
Milne;,. Mon. 1^3.
Mini- ter I , j'l. : MeP \ )
ment («», *';’5
M j'. .toien'P c . ! n*!i : n ,
M i-e i.U.a I’V . > e .O : .J. i.;ip
Mi .J ‘'Jppi, I , ei (!l
In. 2VV
Mt’.'.i)i*} i, iuhn i eiiMit .»
13S. l td ; and -.hix . j « .
Ml -iim! t <,)ne {ion. !35, t
Van Bnr.'n* : off If ndc,
Monarchy, ctrenpjh nt i.t
4^5; tnc, 'Kle uith de;
48,5,
Mon<*>, t 5»\ eiioncnf '-'i p».v
Money I5»\ver. the, HO;
udlcr Lni-daiid npaln
oppo-.e-i JiieK lOSi, I lt»,
Miinopollea, itdmm >*1 In
Monroe. Jni'ne-i, 5*1, 5«',f!, *
115. Utp 122, 123, l:
iHt. 1P2. jp.'i, p:;:i. p;
3(t4. 306, 3.1(7, ;i
433, 405, 5!(,5. 760 ; .ai
oil ,1 'h Iciuij and file S-
36S, :*.7(p 3.71^ :r;
3Sn. 3s7. ass ; ehuruef
ndttee to ln\e-3l,r,ite
Hatnllfoii, 1 10 : eunr-ic
INDEX.
797
306, 307, 808 ; principle of patronage,
124, 125, 126, 127 ; Randolph’s hostility,
208; in the Reynolds affair, 119, 120,
121 ; successor to, 116 ; Van Buren’s last
visit to, 153 ; Van Buren’s opinion of,
121 ; veto of Cumberland Road bill, 117,
315.
Moore, Gabriel, 454, 454 h, 676.
Moore, John L., 103n..
Morell, , 25, 27, 28.
Morgan, John J,, 536.
Morgan, William, abduction, 220.
Morning Chronicle, The, 109.
Morris Caval & Banking Company, 617«.
Morris, Thomas, 676.
Mount Vernon, Van Buren’s visit to, 177.
N.
Napier, Lord, 495, 497.
Napoleon I, 484 ; distrust of Talleyrand,
459. See ajso Louis Napoleon.
National Advocate (The), 101, 138.
National Gazette and Literary Register,
199, 199n.
National Intelligencer (The), 359. 366, 416,
417, 525, 526, 690.
National Republicans. See Republicans,
Naudain, Arnold, 677.
Navigation Acts, a political deal for pro-
longing slave trade, 135.
Nelson, John, 575, 575n.
Newburgh Telegraph (The), 759.
New England, character, Van Buren on,
710 ,* Jackson’s visit, 6S9, 690 ; liking for
official distinction, 2.5S ; senators attack
Van Buren, 524 ; senators delay denun-
ciation of West India ti’ade negotiation
success, 523 ; senators vote for resump-
tion of West India trade and denounce
it when accomplished by Van Buren, 522 :
tariff, 116.
New Hampshire, legislature, recommends
a convention, 684.
New Jersey plan, for amendment to the
Constitution, 118.
New Orleans, battle of, feeling of English
toward, 451.
New York auctioneer officers, 223 ; Cham-
ber of Commerce, 263 ; cholera In, 510 ;
Collector of Customs, 262, 263, 505, 536 :
Constitution, adopted, 112, 112in.
Constitutional Convention, 102, 102 h.,
105, 110, 111, 112; committee on ap-
pointments, 106, 106 h ; Van Buren’s
course in, 112.
Contested election, 73 ; Democratic citi-
110a ; Senate : Van Buren’s election to,
224,
Loan to U. S., 44 ; Middle district Con-
vention, 88a ; mUitia bill, 55, 56, 57, 58 ;
politics, 142, 145, 147, 157 ; protective
tariff, 169, 170, 693, 696; Republican
struggle with Federalists, 81, 82, 90 ;
Safety fund system attacked, 741, 742;
supports John Quincy Adams, 142, 145 ;
supports War of 1812, 57 ; tariff con-
vention, 169, 170; Union meeting on
Nullification Proclamation, 547 ; U. S.
district attorney for southern district,
265.
New York vs. John Jacob Astor, 175.
New York American (The), 109; charges
against Van Ness, 110.
New York Courier and Enquirer (The),
398.
New York Evening Post (The), comments
on New York legislature’s report on
Nullification proclamation, 552.
New York Journal of Commerce (The),
421.
Newspapers. See Press, The.
Nicholas, Wilson Cary, 412, 412in.
Nicholson, John, 258, 536.
Niles’ Register, 282, 526, 526??, 654, 691,
694, 696.
Noah, M. M., 398 ; letter to, 101, lOln, 138.
Nobility, English, simplicity of, 473, 474.
North Carolina. See Carolina, No-rth.
North Eastern boundary question, 273, 452,
465.
Northern Wlrig, newspaper, 26?t.
Northwest Territory, Ordinance of 1787,
134, 135.
Noye.s, John, 76??.
Nullification, 382, 395, 396, 409, 410, 562,
679, 680, 681, 682, 684, 685, 691, 692.
696, 697, 698, 758 ; Cahoun committed
to, 541 ; crisis, 554 ; doctrine, 542 :
Hayne’s proclamation, 681 ; Jackson’s
toast at dinner, 415, 416 ; launched at
Jefferson birthday banquet, 413, 414,
415; meeting at Albany, 562, 563, 564;
meeting at Boston, 547 ; meeting at New
York, 547 ; meeting at Shocco Springs,
562; Proclamation: 543, 680, 684, 694,
695, 698, 706, 707; defects, 546, 547,
548 ; denounced, 424, 425 ; federal ten-
dencies in, 706, 707 ; Livingston’s draft,
705, 70r»n ; newspaper comment on, 552,
553 ; political capital made out of, 547,
553 : Van Buren’s report on for New
York legislature, 550, 552 ; South Caro-
798
IJS'DKX
Official distinction, n New lOnMljind feel-
ing-, 25S.
Ogden, David B., 21, 50, 127, 175, 401.
Ohio, circuit judge in, 210 ; protective tarilV,
693, 606.
O’Neixle, I'eggy. ^cc' Baton, Mrs. John
Henry.
Ontario Oounty, N. Y., contOF.icd <‘h‘ctloii,
73 ; senator from, 86, 87.
Ordliinnce of 1787, 13-!, 135.
Oswe,go, N. Y„ branch of Erie canal lo, 8.7.
Otis, Harrison Orey, 42;>. 517, 571, 575a.
695.
Otranto, Duke of, 415.
OI;s('go county, N. Y., Hffi; scaiator from, 8(1.
Ov(‘rton, John, 587, r>S7«. ,588, 589, 501.
Owen, George IV., 181.
I*.
rag(H)t, , 5S5.
ParUaiiK'nta ry nd'ornu 15.3.
I*a liners! on, Lord, 156, 157, 158, KW), 177, ;
528, 529; attack on admlnislral ion (in I
1855), ir>7, 468; on Van Buren’s n‘.}<‘e- |
(Ion by Senat(‘, 455; opinion of 'ralb'.Y
rand, 158; Van Uuren’s negoliallon wlib, j
1.52, 153 ; Van Ibirmi’s opinion of, 165.
1()6, 1(57.
i'anama Mission, 198, 199, 206. 200n, 201.
202, 202n. 2(H. 218; abaiidnned. 201 ; tie-
feated, 203; vot(‘ (ni. 2t)lj.».
I’aiiic, dIstr<‘SH <‘omiaIi ti’os, 727: distress
nnsnorials, 721, 722, 723, 721, 725, 72(5,
727 : eHorts to- eaus(‘, 717, 718, 71‘.b 738,
7.30, 710, 711. 712, 715. 716. 717, 718;
<‘Ugineered by Bank, 610, (511. 012, (551,
(55 la. (551, (555, (556, (557, (59(5, 712, 717,
722, 723, 725, 72(5, 736; plan <d' netJou
in Congress, 712, 713; respenalbllity
<’h!irg<*d for. 722.
Panic Si'Hslon, (51.8, t532. 63.3, (5(51, (571, (588.
707, 712, 713. 721, 722, 723. 721. 72.g
72(5, 727, 735, 73(5, 712, 7.57. 782; bow
n;ime<l, (>LS.
Paris, Maritime c<»iigia‘ss at, (50».
Parian*, Richard Elliott, 606.
Parris, Daniel. 11, 44 rt.
Parties, pditical, 125.
Parton, .Tanuat M., Life ef Jackson, JlUn.
719, 719a.
PatronagCj political. 106, 123, 121. 125,
126, 127, 223, 399, 101 ; innbT .lacjcHoti,
217, 249, 250; Van Huron <»n, 448.
i'atCerwon, Wall<*r, 571.
i^auldlng, -T. K., 53(5.
on Indi.an bill, 280; member;; uf
gresK in favor of Mnysville turnjriki
325 ; on removal of ImllanN, .311,
Secretary t»f 3*re.isury from. 50(5.
m'nntors, York memorial sulisniUe
765; support of Jackson, 239. 3M,
taritV. 239. ril }. (591. (k t',; uesleri
trie! marsh;il a}»ieiiii( nn*i)t , PJf, 2.31
Pensjicola, Moiida, JnckM'in’;^ oempaPj
375.
Pmision agency, (519.
IVnsbtn fu’uls, euntrol of. 619a.
!*erkiiis, 'rinnuas 11,. .5 If, TelTa.
i'erkliis, ’. (595.
iMers, Ricljard, 292. ‘29.3
i'eylon, Bavlle. 19(5.
Pidladelpbla, 15"ar«l of 3‘r:idc, incni
722. 721. 72.5 ; bniailng no cbanb'N. t
rial, 727 ; State b.ank a' mcmorla! i
store deposiis, 72G. 72 J, 725.
19<*kering, 'rinoilli.N', 179. iss, ISSji.
18(5, ISS; letter (o, 18s; j»*sjit)\fd a;
retary of State, 190; lievlfW of
spondeiu'e of .lobn Adams and W
( 'nnniTigUam, ISSa,
Pier<‘(‘, i''rankl!n. 19(5.
Piin-kney, Gbnrles ( 'ot^'Swrl h, 19n,
Pinckney, 3‘homa.\ 171.
Piracy, slav<* trade dcclarci, 13. i;
Unren on. 118.
Pilt, ^^■ill;am. 1«58, 1(59,
pitp.lairg, WelKter’s speiM b a(, t59 1 ,
6t)3, 695. 459(;. (597. 698, Tlip, 7n3.
Platt. . Judge. 61. 6 la, in‘5
3»inde\ter, t;<
‘ol’ge, ■
15 {.
15 la.
677.
759; allerc
atlon
V i; h
15. r
•syth.
a ntai;onisa(
ti> .la<
'l.'-eji.
7 {5,
anlagotjisia
to Vrui
Bur*
*n. 75
",6 75
tack on \Vt
leder.
<581.
6.86,
ti86il
758; attack'. 55'rk na-morlal, 76‘» :
v.aine with 75 1, 7.55; brlSao'y e
agalnei. 777; caluiauica again*:!
Kuren, 757, 776; chnlrntuu of ciima
on public lands, 715 ; elia racier, 756,
course In SeiuJi' In al<i of Patuk.
731; <lTort‘} l«» eause pindc, 715; e
to ('inbroil Van liurcn. 7%5S. 7*59, 7’6n
762; biter, 759; i«-fter to. 76,1 ; m<
with .Ln’kson, 751, 155; perMou.al
tbni.M with V'an P.nren. 7.51, 757 ; i
eal nlatioirs with Van P.uren, 719:
p(irt of .faekson, 751 ; Van P.uren'*-
!(»n <»f, 755, 756.
Polities, <’nmpalgn (of ISIO), H; dele
power abused. LSI ; difiVreju e lal
Ktat(* and national, 101 : early nafi
INDEX.
7i
Post Oifice, inquiry, intoj 745.
Preble, William Pitt, 273 ; appointed XJ.
minister to the Netherlands, 260, 2G0 ?k
Prendergast, John I., 76/i.
Prentiss, Samuel, 454, 454??^ 533, 676.
President of the United States, 742, 742» ;
appointing power, 742 ; canvass (of
1824), 665; election by House of Repre-
sentatives, ilS ; evils to which an admin-
istration is exposed by the Secretary of
State desiring succession to the, 398 ;
Jackson's plan to resigm in favor of Van
Bure a, 506, 507; loss of powder at close
of an administration, 284 : maneuvers
for, 616, 617 ; prejudice against England
capitalized to gain, 494, 495, 496, 497,
498, 499, 500 ; removal power, 742 ; step-
ping stone to, 122 ; successor to Jackson,
518 ; Van Buren's chances of, 446, 447 ;
Van Buren's idea of the honor, 448 ; Van
Buren’s nominations, 225, 226, 227 ;
White’s nomination, 226n.
President^ packet, 445, 459.
Press (The), (new’spapers), aids Bank and
opposes Jackson, 746 ; auxiliary of parti-
san pclitical ml vantage, 290 ; coi* trolled
by Bank, 658 ; freedom endangered by
Jackson’s political appointments, 247 ;
power of, 197; panic rumors, 747, 748;
rumors Bank stock transactions in Lon-
don, 746.
Preston, William C., 677, 766 ; attack on
Van Buren, 766, 767, 768, 772 ; personal
relations with Van Buren, 769, 770 ; rea-
sonable atonement for his attack, 769.
Preston family, charaeteri.stics, 769.
Priestly, Joseph, 159, 159';i.
Privateers (N. Y.), bill to encourage, 57,
58.
Prussia, 485.
Public debt, payment of, 621.
Public opinion, control of by Bank funds,
642 ; power in England, 481, 483.
Punctuality, Jefferson on, 188.
Q.
Quakers, l^ee Friends.
R.
Ramsay, Robert, 320, 326n, 327.
Randall, Henry S., 442.
Randall, , 175.
llandolpli, Edmund, 189.
Randolnh. Ellen Wavles.
Charlotte resolutiouR, 424, 425; on ct
mittee of rules of Senate, 208 ; dea
426; debate with Henry, 435, 436, 4
438, 439, 440 ; demands letters fr
Jackson, 425, 426; denounces the Nu
fication Proclamation, 424, 425, 547 ; d
with Clay, 204, 207, 534; entertain
qualities, 208; fails in reelecHon, 2
208; hostility to Jefferson, Madison, ii
Monroe, 20S ; l(‘tter, 423^t ; leav(‘S Rust
420, 421, 427, 428, 429 ; leaves
210, 429, 430 ; opinion of Wasliing
City, 208 ; p(‘rsonal relations 'with \
Buren, 421, 423, 42G, 427, 429, 430, 4.'
physical appearance, 205, 207 ; politi
services, 121, 428, 420 ; pia'sents a ho
to Van Biuvn, 421, 422; protest, K
quarrels, 418 ; sp<‘eeh against Alien j
Sedition law, 439, 440 ; spe<‘eheH, 41
Van Biireii’s reasons for appointing, 4
419 ; on Van Buron’s resignation, 42.'
vlohmce in delsate, 204, 205, 2(K5.
Randolph, Mrs. Thomas Mann, 349, 580
RedffeUl, Herman ,1., 158.
Reform, political!, 247, 248.
Reform Bill ( English), 460, 461, 462, 4
477, 478, 482.
Reid, , 436.
Religion, 284 ; in politics, 293,
Ileminiscc'iiccs of CongretHs (March's), 7
700a.
.Rcnsstilacyoinivkj^ sliiii, lla.
Republican civM'd, 124.
Republican party, 192, 195, 196, 197, 1
303; advoi*ati‘ of *81 ale tlu'ory of ml
lion of Const iluthoj, 545; danger of
siriiclion, Cdif) ; foreign pttllcy, 494 ;
Irigues for Presidency, 398.
Repul)licao (’rhe Wasiiingt.on ) , 576a,
Repubiicans, 220; desiri' ai)poinl.im‘n(
Van Ihuvn, 224; faciional split, 221
Na.tionai, 108; New York, Clinloni;
and Van Biiren’.s a nl !■ I’ederalkd. a<ldn
88a.; si)llt wilh Clinl.onla as, S9 ; 1
giiiia, 208.
Revision, Coumril o,f (N(,nv York), 57, 1
102n.
Reynolds, James, 111).
R<'y nold’s Affair, 111), 120.
Rice, ,rohn if., 435, 437.
Richardson, — , Judge, 38.
Richmond, Duke of, 451, 161.
Riehmond Enquinu’ (Tlie), 126.
2;ik<‘r, Richard, 38, 39, 41, 43.
Rip Raps, liami)(oii Roa<ls, Virginia, Ja
800
UN'HKX
Roads and canals, IIM, liOU, IlOo, ;u)i.
315, 320; vcporlH uiu 3M.
Roane, fSiannrr, 3U0, 770; articles mi Mar-
filuill’s decisions. 120; support of .la* k
SOI), 723 ; Van lUirciOs vi.sit to. 12t*j.
Roane, WlIHaiu H., 300.
Robbins, Asher, 1.7 1, 15 la, 071.
Robbins, Jonathan, 171b
Robinson, John M., 070.
RoelK'ster, Willinni li., 101 ; noiain.itiiin h«.-
j.'overnor, I (>2, lO;;.
RoniJiine, , 10 la.
Root, Knistus, -M. >17, bOi. O.*, ilo
Rose, WiUiani Lucius, II, i;;.
Rosenerantz, ^Lairge, SOa,
Ross, P. Vl’illiaiu, Sl»a.
Ross, Janu's. 001.
Ross, William, 13, L'Ja. si;, HOt;.
Rnflin, Tiunnas, 000.
KuK}j;le.s’, Ib'njjimin, 151, L7-ta ; V.ni Luri u '>
o{)lnion <if, ruit*. 700n, 507.
Rush, Rlelia rd. 521.
Kusst'll, IbMijamin, 200, 200a.
Russc'li, I.nrd John, Van Ibir**))’.-. <»p(nii»n
of, •177. •17S.
Russia, '185 ; apimlntnicut <»f juiid’'iti*r (o,
•118, IIO; (Jreat Rritaln’.s war with, -107 ;
treaty with, 110. •120.
ltutj^(*rH, - , 77.
UutledKC, Ilenr.v .M.. IIO, llOa.
.Safety h’und Syst* t.n .\, V,. ‘.OM. i:y2 ; .if
lacked, T-ll, 712.
Sailor’s Sunc; Harbor, riui. 172. 1V.5.
St. M.'irk.s, Plorbia. .fm l.•.ol^ ■ npaf ooi
of, 375.
St. Raul, -lOSa.
Sanford, Nathan, 07. Os, i;o. To. ul:. 2Lbt.
2<»3, 2(b'Ja, 515, 5<i3 ; candM.atc lur \ . S
S(‘nate, 07, 07a. 101. fnla.
Sardinia, -18.3. >185.
Sar8:eant:, - • - - , S2.
Sehnylcr, Rliillp, 227.
Scotch I’haracti'r. 'RHi.
Scott, Wlnlhd<l, 50. 352. ; nonilnation
500.
Seaimm, dest it ul.*, aid fur. 5{0.
S(*ar(‘h, ri/^ihl of, un hl;‘,h ' » as, 2n;; ; <;r«Mn
Rrltain’.s cinini. 528. 520
S(*d|;wi<’k, 1.8,
Sefton, Lord and Lad.\ , 173
Seiulnoh* War, Jackson’s oonduci in, 2..s.i,
388, 75'L 755; .Ln*ksun5; corresponden ■**
with Lallioun on, 300, ::os, 30 j.
S(>nat(‘, L. S., action on ruchifrtec of 15 .8
itn.inc* committee. 715, 710;
-miO'uti HI, 723. 724; motives i
I {Ion oi \an Luren's sumi
.»3l ; Li'f-iduii i of. 073 ; I’rc.'Utl
tf m, 0 *;:;, 0*7 1. 0 . 7 :. ; RrcsidcuLs di
in .-nt *n.'. mruiorlals, 77 1. 77
)'*,a'*'{iun of .'■Hupsosds noiuinatlo
ii'jes'fion oi \an Hurcii’s inmiinii
inhd-«.-r to tlrcat Itrltnin, 273, 3
L'2., I.tl. L>o. 4.70, 457, 5n0, .5'
•'L’l. (iil. .7 n4, .*,8,7. .787, 5iHi, *>',
*•'**. ).*7: ri“(duiinii rhansdnij; m«
■ lonnuHi'c ‘.i lccilon. 0 , 75 . *', 7 *;
aUiomlmcnts, 20M. 2<i0, 2lO; ^
commilfer-, iulri'.Hio afaunsf \'un
<*71 ; .u::p«'* ti ll of intent ionn! <li
b.s .in* Ksun. oiu); treatment
.8<*natr: 217: Van Uiircn*;^ first
atico a-' Vic. Rrcsidoijt in. 07 1 , <L
Unren’s oppom-nfs in, <173, 7<»
lUircu's v*'ccptiun in i>n his r«'{n
Ibr/Jand, 5«w; ; \’;ni Unreu trlninp
.»or» ; 7 or!, memorial in, 700, 7f
iiO, 7<l, I i‘2, 7 i'3, 771, 77*7, 770,
8< nat*>r‘-. L. .8 . Nc\v Vurk. ioo, l<»
In In.
«■ I I j'r.nnr . John. 2‘.‘1, 012.
Stovaid. WilLam 11 . old. ."»4!m,
8* \in*mr, Henry, 01 .
Se\m.»ur. Hur.iHo, Ml. 120 , i.'if,
Sbal,* !’ , pifolon oMoupfion from
'.•rvie., 154
SUenamloah f'ount\. Vlr-lnia, m
Vtli,.
alo ple,'. , llthi i ti.'n; aijipurts
724.
tdioeri* ISpi'Lip . \orfh (‘arelimo
502.
.‘dbb.e, Nathaniel 21.3. 2l3a. <177, '
toh o'fer, Oormdin?:. LL
Sd VC iter. l'‘ranrl«\ i.'Li,
Sdve ter Kamil V. i.'l
.‘•mip .oil, Sfi’phi o, nomination rejt
Senate, U{\U.
sinrbd ' n, 30 1.
Sktnm i. Horer, I03. 103a. 100. 14*
Slave SI. ill's, 130,
'PiMile, abolition of. 13.7, 2
• la red pinsey, |35,
Slavmv, !2.0. 137, !3S. 1.30; .iy.itali
112; Slave ami I'm* Stall's n'T
lion in < 'oin.;re.MH, 1.35: Van Bi
L32, 133. 1.34, 135.
Smith, N7ithan. 077.
^'ioitb, Snmu 1. 20ln, 213, 213a, t>
ilidney for \'H*e Preslibml, 5HS,
StnHii ir.-o k.;.........) I j rrr,?):
INDEX,
801
8piuii-sti daliiiH, payin<‘nt of, (U>2.
Spedo, ourtnllnuait, <>5:^, (554,
Hpetic<‘r, Ambrose, 38, 41, 42, 43, 47, 04,
({(?, (57. <58, (51), 70. 71, 71 a. 72, 73, 75,
7Gfi, 79. SO. SS, SO, S9n, 90. 01, 102, 111,
170, 221, 401, 518; at<<‘mpt to r(‘slore
Clinton, 71, 75, 7(5, 70, a, 77, 70, 80, 85;
iiitorvlon' with Van <02, 03; op-
pOHod to Van Buron, (57, (58, (50, 70 ; po-
litical intrigue, 8<5, 01, 02; in)litical load-
oi'Hhlp, 74, 70.
Sp<UHH‘r, John 100, I0();j.
spencer, Karl. S'rc Altrop, Lord.
SpotHWOod, Mrs., 441.
Sprague, Bdt'g, <577 ; attaeks Van Bunm,
524.
Stat<‘ l)<‘par( in(mt\ no HtHuad.s can lx* k<’pt
In, 270.
Stat<'‘ Seerdary of. (Nt'w York), (50, 70.
State, StHTdary <0* (TTnltc'd Stat('H), 230;
appoltiled. 224, 225. 310, 517, 508, (514;
Clay’s nomination. (5(5(5; .laekson’s wish
for Van Buren’s rtdurn to. 7or>n ; labor
of, 273 ; Livingston as, 70.5 ; McLano ai)-
polnted, 508; (dVered jo ILmuw, 433. 434 ;
st(*pping' stone (<» Bia'sideney, 121, 122,
35)8; Van Bunui a j>iioln(<‘d, 224, 225,
,517; Van Buren’s reslgmi t ion, 2(58, 308,
300. 402, 40:5. 404, 405, 40(5, 407, 423/1 ;
Van Bur(‘n sdedlon ftu*, 2(57.
plan of dlsirietlng, 118; pr<)<*(‘eds
<tf sale of publh* lamls disj rilniled among,
742, 742/?; rights, 4 1(5, 424, 425, 54(5,
547; rlghj.s as to roa<lH and canals, 317,
318, 310.
Stchl»lnf-(, Francis, 2(5//.
8t(‘ub<m eounty, N. V., <*h*<4Ion r<‘.sull, 1(54.
St(‘Vcn.son, Ainlrcw, 14(5, 237, 237 w, 3*(i4,
528, 528//, 575, .575//, 580.
Stcjcks, Anicrh’an, nimors of lack of Kuro- .
peajj coiditience in, 747.
Stone, Willi/im 1 t * #
Strausihan, Farrand, (57, (5.8, (50, 71//.
Stnmg, ,71.
Strother’s Ilo(d. Washingtoti, 1>. 574.
Sublime 15trti*, treaty with, 257, 270, 75(5.
SutTrng?* (V<iteHi, restriction In N. V., 112.
Sullivan, (Jeorg?*, 272.
Suprcim* C<»urt, New York, liuTejise of, (58; i
V/tn Bnren ofTer<*d a pl/o'e on, i)0, 01.
Sup/an/je Conii of II. S., assumption of
Jiulhorlty. 184 ; eh*etivi‘, 185; Justices,
T.
Taghkanie (Tac'kkanic) patent, 22.
Taloott, Samuel A., 21 ; appointed attorney '
general, of N. Y., 174 ; intemperance,
174, 175, 176 ; relations with Van Bnren,
173, 174, 176; talent, 175, 176.
T/ill(^yrand, Charles Maurice Perigord,
Ih-inco, 457, 460, 473 ; attacked, 459 ;
defended by Wellington, 459 ; distrust of
Napoleon, 459 ; inalnlity to speak Eng-
lish,, 458, 460 ; Palmerston’s opinion of,
458.
Tallmadge, James, 143.
Tallma.'lge, Nathaniel P., 549, 677, 741.
Tammany Sod('ty, 265; dinner, 233.
Tam^v, Roger B., 304, 511, 579, 580, 597,
598, 605, 601// , (505, 613, 057 ; appointed
Secretary of Tia^asury, 603 ; appointed to
Supr<‘m<‘ Court, 584 ; charge against, 644,
738 ; defended hy Forsyth, 738 ; prophecy
of result of Cass and McLane remaining
in Cabinet, 608 ; refutation of Clay’s
<*harge, 739 ; report on Bank, 643, 643tL
(544 ; report on r/unov^al of the deposits,
(552, 653, (554, 655, 656 ; Van Bnren ap-
proves for Secretary of Treasury, 593.
Tariff, 200, 541, 559; (of 1824), Jackson’s
})ositlon, 239, 240, 242 ; opposition to,
240, 242 ; Van Buren’s vote on, 241, 242 ;
(of 1832), act, 542, 542n, ; Clay’s
“American System,” 554, 555, 556 ; modi-
(Icatlon, 554, 555, 557, 558, 562, 563,
564; protective, 115, 116, 117, 169, 172,
4()9, 411, 412, 555, 671, GS2, 683, 691,
69.3, 603^^, 694, 600.
.Vbu.ses, 275 ; bill, ITO/i. ; ckaracter, 171 ;
oi/position, 240, 242 ; reduction, 553 ; re-
pod. on amount of duties, 740, 741 ; sys-
i(un, 409, 555, 082, 683; Van Buren’s
opinion of as a political issue, 555 ; Web-
si (*r on, 60S, 699; Webster’s speech sus-
taining, 683, 684.
“Tnr(iuln,” 351.
TayIo<*, Ihmjamln Ogle, 612,
Taylor, Creed, 430.
Taylor, John, 40, 41, 43, 40, 47, 228, 412 ;
<lc‘alh, 227 ; ndations with Van Buren,
227 228.
Taylor, John W., 181, 158 ; Speaker of the
Ifouse of Repres(‘ntatives, 157.
n'jiylor, Zachary, 19C.
802
INDEX,
Thompson, William, nominated for speaker,
90.
Throop, Enos Thompson, 88, 562, 595, 598.
Timberlake, J. B., 341.
Tipton, John, 677.
Tomlinson, Gideon, 454, 454n, 677.
Tompkins, Daniel D., 28, 29, 46, 48, 49, 53,
69, 70, 75, 76, 70w, 79, 98, 100, 106, 110,
122, 138 ; accounts, 95, 97, 09, 99 j 2. ;
charges against, 95, 97, 98 ; intemper-
ance, 96, 97 ; joint letter with Van Biiren,
125, 126 ; letter, 95w ; l(*tter to, 95n ;
nominated for governor, 99«, 105, 225 ;
reply to charges, 98; resignation, 76n ;
Secretary of State position offered to, 57,
95 ; Van Buren’s pamphlet in favor of,
101 .
Townsend, J., 170.
Townsend, , 103n.
Towson, , 358.
Trade, with Indians, 280.
Treasury, XT. S., besiegers of, 745.
Treasury, Secretary of, 593, 594, 597, 737 ;
appointed, 593, 594, 596, 597, 598, 603,
605, 614 ; called on for and reports on
amount of duties, 740, 741 ; censured for i
removing deposits, 717, 717fiy 720;
charges against, 737, 738 ; dismissed, 603,
C03n ; Jackson’s difficulty in finding a,
595 ; power to remove deposits, 714 ;
reasons for removal of deposits, 731 ; re-
port on Bank, 643 ; report on removal of
deposits, 715, 716, 717.
Treaty, obligations disregarded by nations,
485 ; with Russia, 419, 420.
Trimble, William A., 307, 30771.
“ Trio,” 416.
Trist, Nicholas P., 345, 349, 441, 580.
Trist, Mrs. Nicholas P., 349.
Troup, George McIntosh, 415, 416 ; toast,
416.
Tucker, Henry St. George, 300, 300n, 412.
Tyler, John, 124, 208, 454, 454n, 671, 677,
756 ; opposition to removal of deposits
and to the Bank, 766, 766 ji; vote against
the Force Bill, 710?i.
U.
Union, sustaining of, 416.
Union Bank of Maryland, 644; Secretary
of Treasury charged with being a stock-
with West Ipdies, 522, 522?
tern of government comparet
lish, 480, 481, 482, 483; ti
ceived from England, 4S6,
treatment received from Fran
United States Telegraph (The
384, 398, 399, 506, 512, 51-
533; Article in, 3S6.
University, National, 195.
University of Virginia, presider
V.
Vail, Aaron, 445.
Van Alen, Johannes, 10?i.
Van Buren, Abraham, 10.
Van Biiren, Catalynje Martense
Van Buren, Cornells Maessen, 1
Van Buren, John, 109, 196, 4C
Van Buren, Marten, 10, 10«.
Van Buren, Martin (grandfath
Van Buren, Martin, abandons
presidency, 446, 447 ; absei
Jackson, 508 ; absence fron
Woolens bill vote, 169 ; absen
ate as Vice President, 673
wealthy, 56 ; acquires Van N
Kinderhook, 17.; action on
ination as Secretary of State,
to arouse opposition to Swa
pointment, 263 ; address on d
ton, 166, 166)1, 167 ; address
nomination of Tompkins anc
4771 ; address to Senate in Yc
debate, 774, 775, 776; ad
392 ; on admission of Missou
admitted to bar, 13 ; advice
message, 546 ; advice on ha
fication proclamation in Nev
lature, 549 ; advised to dee
meat as Secretary of Stat(
Albany resolutions, 50, 51,
alliance with England, 485, 4
aids McLane, 609, 610, 615-
Bank situation, 636, 637, 6
of claim of Webster’s aid
709 ; analysis of McLane’s
617 ; analysis of New York p<
tion, 162 ; analysis of woi
public mind, 168 ; answer of
to governor’s speech, 53, 5
ment as attorney general o1
96, 224 ; appointed Minister
lupf to iuj\in‘, r»:il) ; att{‘n(i.s
IT <’onviaiti<>u. 170.
(»: toward Uank, ;u», 4*1; on tho
ht' r. S., is t, IS la ; on a Hank
Si'naio, T‘-i4 ; on hanknii)! law,
on I'lric <‘anal, SI, Sin, Kf) ; to-
'<lcrnliNts, SSa ; on prol<*Mt, of
.raff, dll!; in Jaokson t'alhoiin I
;>7d ; on Missouri Quostion, 00,
Hdiliral patroinua* appoluinKnita,
; on Slavary, lOtl, i:57, l.'JS ; to-
r of 00, 07, 4.1, 4S.
in lUtidlo’s p<*rsonal lionosty, Col ;
at; parly fooliiif^ .should not Intlu-
iKfi policy, hlO: ladiof in th<‘ p(‘o-
, 10, 04, 1 II!, rato, d7S. 771! ; Ihdl’s
V with. L’2Cn : Im'hIoko<1 by of*
.ioTH, ‘JO I ; bnuiR with Olinton,
, 47, 48, tOl ; break with
-m, 47, 4H^: brief Internal lin»
■u(h, 010. CJl; t’ubliud dininu',
0, 050. 750; ('abinet n'cept ion,
: ; call on .1. Q. Adams, Jt*»0 ; eaadl-
r attorney KeiU'ral of V,. OS,
P»0, 7th 71 ; eandidale for Slate
JO, 50. 01. 51! ; e.andi(lnt<‘ f<»r U. S.
•, 104, loin ; eandidnb' for VIee
nt, ns4. 585. 5Hd. 5K7. 5SS, 580.
t ; enrrieH plnlola, TtU. 7dJ ; eharj-o*
I eommltlnllMm aptlmd, lOtl, 107,
O.Hn ; ehnrM:ed with aspiring
•ney. 508, 500; eharK<Nl with pur
»f Kold spooiiH for the W'hlte Hous(‘,
'7tt ; rhurKed wltli atilhornldp of
{lie veto tueHHaKe. 5J0 ; <'harKeH
t. 25, 500. 1017, aOH. 580, OSl, 584.
80, 587, 580, 507; <4mraeter sket<‘h
in UuiHhdph of UoamiUe, 4J0, 4J7,
IJO, 450, 451 ; (May’s visit to. 554,
romnieinsnmujl of hia lorm as Ihu'sh
of the Sonati*. 075, 074 ; cenipareH
and Kmdlsh Koverniuental .Myslinns,
481, 4HJ. 485, 40J, 405; eomlind,
eHhlhn^ oltle«‘r of the Senate, 708;
•mathin an Minister t<t Mni4lnnd n*
by Senate. J75, 505, 500, 455, 454,
450, 457, 500, 511, 5lJ, 515, 551,
540, 584, 585. 587. 500, 501. 748,
757 ; ’* (’oiiHideralloMH In favor of np-
tment id' UnfuH KIuk’' (pnmphhdl.
; ; eonslderH reHlicnlnK as Secret ary
tate, 202, 200, JOT ; on ( ’oust It ut ion’s
led powerM, 207, 2tt8 ; eontroversy
(’hamadlor Kent, 58, 00; lamver
>n with Aaron Burr, 400; <-oi»pera<
with (’nihoun to elect JaekMon, 514 ;
ty eou vent ion deleynte, 15, 14 ;
He on Internal Iniprov<*m«*nlK, 515,
: isairhe In N. Y, ( ‘miMt Hut ional (’on-
ion, 112; etmrse in PreHldiUd ial elee
in House of ItepreHeutntlveH, MO,
; on ( 'uintierl.und Uoad veto, 117; d<*"
<l<‘f(mds Van Ness, 110, 111 ; on Delaware
county circuit, 93, 94 ; delegate to N. Y.
Const! tiitioiuil Convention, 106 ; on
(huiiocracy’s struggle wdth monarchy, 485 ;
<ienounced for success in West India trade
negotiation, 522, 524 ; deserted by
Holmes, 766; describes debate in House
of Ijords on Reform Bill, 460, 461 ; de-
scribes .lefCerson dinner at which nullifica-
tion was launched, 414, 415, 416, 417 ;
dllTerence. of opinion with McDane, 605 ;
dilllculty with Suydnm, 27, 28 ; diplomatic
activities, 452, 453 ; discourages succes-
sion to Presidency, 398 ; discusses Web-
stc'r’s dealings with the Bank, 778, 779,
780, 781, 782 ; dissension with Jackson
attemptcal by McLane, 569, 671 ; on
Duamcs selection as Secretary of the
Trc'asury, 598, 600 ; early politics, 15, 28,
29, 30, 51, 32, 33 ; efforts to abolish im-
prisonment for debt, 212 ; efforts to ad-
just nullification difficulty, 541 ; effort to
dcuil justly in autobiography, 367 ; efforts
to Induce (::?lay to run as Vice President
with (’rawford, 665; efforts to reconcile
.laelcKou and .T. Q. Adams, 270, 271 ; an
(‘ffort to trap, 772 ; elected Governor of
N. Y., 220, 221 ; elected President of
U. S., 225a, 510; elected Vice President,
510, 618; (dectcHl to N. Y. Senate, 33, 73,
224, 225; (‘lecdion bets, 149; on election
of Prc'Kidcmt in IJoTise of Representatives,
118; CHCorted to Capitol by Jackson on
hi.s return from Kngland, 566; estimate
of N. Y. political situation, 160, 161 ;
faith in Jackson’s frhmdship, 700; faith
In tln‘ people, 8, 9, 19, 34, 112, 509, 678,
772 ; falH(‘ rc'ports about, 127 ; feeling re-
garding P(*d(‘ral tenchmeies in Jackson’s
cn bluet, 645, 640 ; first political office,
28 ; first vote, 13, 15 ; friendship for Mc-
Lnins 601; frUmdship for Livingston,
704 ; Governor of N. Y., 221, 225 ; guber-
natorial canvass, 19; on Hamilton’s im-
plied pow(‘rs of Constitution and internal
Improvmnents, 297, 298 ; handwriting,
32 1 ; in Holland, 9, 10' ; horse presented
to, 421, 422 ;hostillty of Mcliane, 571, 572,
573 ; Idea of political power, 447 ; idea of
the Presidency, 447, 448 ; instructions for
W«‘Ht Imlia trade negotiations, 520, 521,
525, 524, 526, 620, 530, 53lw ; on im-
lilled x>ower.s of (kmstitution, 297, 29S ;
on rnternal Improvements, 117, 297, 298,
315, 316; on politics of the Internal Im-
provements qw'stlon, 309 ; intrigue
against as Pr<‘sldent of Senate, 672 ; in-
vitation to Calhoun to dinner, 749, 750 ;
Jackson’s opinion of, 12; Jackson’s plan
1o el(‘c:t as Vice I^resident and resign the
PreHld(*Ticy in favor of, 506; Jackson’s
remark to about the Bank, 625 ; Jackson’s
804
INDEX.
];\hor on instructions to U. ministers,
272, 273 ; last visit to Monroe, 153 ; in
law offices, 13, 14 ; learns of MeLiiii(‘’s
resij^natlon, 612 ; lejyal practice, 21, 26,
27 ; lenjjjth of offleo as ({overnor of N, Y.,
221; letters, 15a, 25, 13S, 245, 241), 261.
321, 330, 3G1, 361a , 304a, 407 a, 500, 517,
546, 55S, 563, 572, 57S. 5S0, 532. 503.
605, 60(;, 611, 660, 761 : letter on Mis-
souri Qu(‘Htion, 100a ; U4t<‘r to Noah, 101,
101a; letters to, 15a. 100a. 185, 186,
lS6a, 107, lOSa., 245, 248. 263. 264. 3,21,
322, 330, 331, 334, 346, 354, 385, 387.
304a, 407a, 423, 502, 503, 503a. 507,
507a, 508a, 514, 5H'>, 518, 530a. 548.
548a, 571, 575, 570, 583, 586. 505, 506,
600, 601, 603, 604, 607, tUO, 611, 614,
615, 668, 705, 705a, 750; “Life of Van
Hunui ” by MeK<*nzie, 53.6a ; Liviui^ston
land patent <'ase, 22, 23, 24, 26 ; loss of
state votes, 225a ; Mclaine’s visit to, 570;
Mu‘ “ Muj-Ocian," 226a, 447 ; iiUM'tlnjj; with
Clay, 557, 558; nus'tln^ with Jackson,
232; nu'etina' with Jackson and Grundy,
671, 672; nuadinf; with \V(‘bst(‘r, 567; on
his “ Memoirs,” 3.4, 3.5 ; iU(*Ksat^e to N. Y.
leaisla ture, 221; nudhod adopt<Ml to r(‘-
move diplomatic corps’ wroii};: imiiressioii
of Jackson, 261, 262; militia hill (N.
Y,i, 56, 57; Mliiisti'i- to Mn.aland, 404.
405, 530, 540 ; misrepn'S«*Mt«Ml on re-
moval of <l(‘X)oslts, 602: mistake as to
(Minton, Ot? ; mistnk(‘s hi luillilii’a tloa
proclamation, 548, 540 ; imithm* and
fatlu'r, 10; nepitlves plan of Jackson’s
resif,''ninjj!' the rnssldmiey in his favor, 506,
507 ; on (he N(*w Kimlnml tdiaraidvr, 7lO;
on New J(*rsey plan, 118; hi New York
(Mmstitutional (Mmventlon, 106; N<‘W
York Senate, coinmitlt^e to answer Gover
nor’s spis'ch, 41, 53; llrst and last nom-
ination for ofll<’<‘, 20; nomhiatial for
(‘imor of N('W York, 225; nominated for
Prc'sldent, 225, 226; nomination as Mhi-
isti'i' to iOiiMlund n'jeided by the Senati*,
273, 325, 305, V,m, 453, 4’54, 455, 456,
•157. 502, 508, 500, 511, 512, 513. 531,
584, 585, 587, 500, 501, 748, 756, 757 ;
nomination njesded beeuust* of Maysvilbi
v<d;o, 3.25 ; nominei* for Vle<‘ Presldmit,
503, 508. 500 ; on nulllliiaition erhsls, 558,
550. 562 562)7 563 5<U • obleetbmH tn
382 ; on Tjlvlnffstoii and Tazewell app
meiits, 251 ; of March, 701 ; of Ma
hook, 708, 700; of Monnxs 121 ; oi
lipition to class, 461 ; of Palmer
465, 406, 467 ; on [latronaKe,
223, 44S; Of Sir Robert Peel,
of Poindexti'f, 755, 761 ; on pol
tiatronaj^e, 106, 223, 448; of Spi
Roane, 126; of niiulities nei'essar^
political leadm-shix), 46t). 470; of
Russell, 477, 478; of taidlT as a pol
<!U(‘stiou, 555; of Wbdister, 561, 71<
\V(dUn,‘ji:t.on, *162, 463 ; of Wtishington,
Ojiponents in Semat'e, 673, 671,
763.; opiiortnnity for knowing th(‘
about th(‘ Panic Si'sslon, 618; ojipos*
Adams’ ailmhiistration, 102, IDS,
()I>pos(‘(l 1(7 Ujink, 221, 222, 626; opi
to (Minton, 76, 767/, ^7, 78, 03, 165
pos(‘d to coalition of Jjiidcsou with
sti'i*, 678; opposed to N. Y. Judiid/iry
lOS; opi)oS(‘d to Monro(‘, 107 ; oppose
Pjinama mission, 10S, 260, 261 ; opi
to hiriiV, 171 ; opposed to vneatlnn'
eiary <dlle(>s by N. Y. Ponstitutional
vinition. 110. til; opposition t<7,
517, 518, 510, 520, r.2(I, 527,
532. 581. 5S2. 58,3. .581. 5S6. 5SS,
506, 502, <j 63. 756, 757, 76S; jaimphl
favor of M’oiiipUins, 161 ; jmrt in V
AITalr, 346, 3.12, 3.13, 311, 315, 318.
3.51, 352, 355, 3.61 ; p.'irt In VV<d>st('r’
t(‘mpt to r(‘,mihi control in Senate,
per.soimi ndations witli Palboun, 5 l.M,
51,5, 516, 53.1, 53.5, 710, 756, 753 ; p(‘i>
rdatlons with Clay, 531. 535. 568.
667, 668, 6t>0, 676 ; personjil r<da
with Jaekson, 23'2, 233. 242, 243,
402, 403, 465, 566, 567; personal
tions with MeL/ine, 573., 574, 575,
577, 578. 570, 611, (;i3,, 611, 6.15,
617; persoiml ladjition.s with I»re.ston,
770; pt‘rsonal rdallons with Pohub
754, 757, 758, 75t>, 766, 761, 7<i2 ;
Nonal ndations with R.andolph, 421,
423, 426, 427, 420. 436. 431 ; on pi
118; plans political eourst*. 418; p
with Jaekson for Melaine. 665; Poh
ter’s (‘ffort: to (pmnsd wltli, 7.58,
7l>t), 761, 762; j>oHt!eal ernnniiss,
16, 18, 10. 21. 25, 2<i; i»oHtle;iI la
.1,1“.* ,. 5 . . 1 ... Ilf. 1
INDEX. I
mcni of Ilandolph to Russia, 419, 427,
42S, 429; rc'calla Eaton from Spain, 364;
ro<’(>r<l ns j;()v<‘nior of N. Y., 221 ; recelvod
!)y th(‘ Kiiii? and his mluiator, 44S ; recep-
tion In Ho\is<‘ of Repr(‘S(‘ntatives on re-
turn from Europe, HOT, 56S ; reception
In Sana to, r>(H;, ^(58 ; ivadected to Senate,
KiH; ro]Lcar<i shown hy Albany citizens
for, 227 ; rejection by Senate vote, 454,
4ri4a, 532, 533; rejection, 530, 540, 534,
5S7, *590, 59t ; rejection falls to humiliate,
4.57 ; r<‘lations with B(‘rri<*n and ITayne,
21(>; reliilions with Burr, 15; relations ;
with Ealhonn, 387, 389, 300, 391, 392,
3i>3, *394, 395; ivdatlons with Clinton,
149, 1(>4, l(i5; relations with Ooox)er,
160; r<‘latious witli th<‘ “ Hl^thminded
Eederalists,” 105; ndations with Sir
Robert Tni 4 'lis, 4S2, 483; relations with
(^laueelhu* K<‘nt, 62, 63; relations with
Rufus Kiuu’, 190, iota, 105, 108, 1*30, 131,
1.32, 141, 147, 154, 1*55; ndations with
I'ah'otl, 173. 174, 176; ndations with
I'u.vlor, 227, 228 ; r<‘lations with Vnn
14, 15, 17, IS, 111 ; relations with
AVeiister. 535, .536; ladatlous with Wri)i];ht,
72S; n4an<uis with Yat<*s, 113, 114, 146;
reniujuSshes all thou?;hl of the Pr<‘si-
(lene.c, OtKS : on removal of deposits, <>02;
removal from N. Y. uttorni*y g<‘neral-
ship. SS, 92, 93, 94, 225 ; r<*nomim\t!ou
for 1 ‘reiiidoMoy, 393, ,3{>4 ; r(‘ply to <3ay
in Voi-lv memorial <lebat<‘, 772, 77.3; re-
Onc.sled to su;;|L;e.st a Siau’etnry of th»‘
'rnsasur.v, .595; resliujmitloii as Covnuaior
of N, V., 227a; r<*slj^nat ion as S(M*retnry
of Stal(', 2t;2, 2t;6, 267, 2<iS, 350, 35(i,
398. .39‘b 400, 402. 40.*;, 404, 405, 406.,
407, 423a; resolutions in favor of 35)mp-
Idns nomination as (Jovun-nor, 9t)a ; r(‘-
HponsiblUty for indltlcal sharp i)rn<*tl<’e,
73; r<‘lulfatcs on Van Schutick, 16; re-
view of bank controversy, 618, 6111. 020,
621. 6»22, <J2.3, 624, <136., <217, 6.38, 639,
640; reviews ids poHtieal <'ourHe, 446;
tad urn h<im(‘ from En^jlaml, 502, 503, 508,
.56ii ; “ lUsiiiK Sun” story, J9t); school-
ltik5 10. 12; self^analyHlH, 8. 9. 11. 12, 33,
34, 447, 568. 573, 574; in Senate. Ill,
113, 115, 128, 12i), 396, 748. 749, 763;
on Senate eommittet^s, 115; in S(‘iiai<‘ ns
Vie(‘ Pn‘sblent, 671, 672; on Senate’s
India trade, 511, 512; on the Woe
hill, 170, 171, 172.
Stay at Windsor Castle, 456, 457 ; s
of Internal Improvemonts% 312 ; sub
Yoi‘k memorial to l^ennsylvania sena'
765 ; success in State poliMcs, 400, ^
successor to Jackson, 518 ; on suffragi
striction, 112 ; suggested as Governo
N. Y., 501 ; suggests abolishing N. Y. C
cil of Appointments, 106, 107 ; sug|
terms of expression of Jackson’s atti
toward foreign countries to diplomat
reception, 262 ; suggests Duane as
mlssloner under the French treaty,
suggests William B. Rochester as g(
nor of N. Y., 162; supports Clinton
38, 40, 41, 42, 76, 76n, 77, 89, 93,
supports Crawford, 140 ; supports J
loan to XJ. S., 44 ; on Supreme Court,
185 ; suspects Calhoun's nullificj
scheme, 413, 414 ; sympathy of En
on his rejection by Senate, 455,
talk with Wright, 729 ; tariff conv
lion with Calhoun, 409; thwarts
ster, 072 ; title of “ Magician,” 226w,
toast at Nullification banquet, 416; t
ing, 11, 12, 13 ; triumph over Senate,
urged to become a F(‘deralist, 14,
urged to boconu' Vice - l^reside
iiomima!, 503, 508, 509 ; views cob
with .Tackson’s, 505.
Visits : to Adams, 188 ; to and
Olay, 153 ; to Crawford, 3G7, 368 ; to
Eaton, 407, 408; to England (secc
474, 47,5 ; to Holland, 0, 10 ; to Jeffe
182, 183, 184, 185, 18G, 187, 188 ; to :
roc (last), 153; to Mount Vernon,
to lUclimond, Va., 120 ; to Talley]
458 ; vote challenged, 144 ; vote on '
berland road, 315 ; vote on tariff,
242 ; voyage to England as U. S. IVJ
ter, 44.5, 440 ; warns against superfici
12; \Vebst(U’’s actions towards, 776,
WebshT’s attack on, 704, 7G5 ; We
refrains from attacking, 675 ; Web
hostility, 524, 525, 535, 536 ; willin
to acc<‘pt Vlce-Prcsid(‘ntial nomint
509.
Van Bunm, Martin, jr., 9, 585.
Van UiiiMui, I’leter Martense, 10a.
Van Burmi FaiuIIy, 0, 9a, 10, 10a;
ignite to America, 10; name, 10,
806
INDKX,
111; second to Bnrr In duel wiili IlaniU-
ton, 16, -9; Van Buren’s def(‘ns(‘ ol’, 110,
111 .
Van Ness, William W., 36, 00. 92, 101.
Van N(‘ss, , 102.
Van Ness Family, 13.
Van Renssela(‘r, Jacob RntS(Mi, 21, 27, 70 :
charge against Van Bunm, 25, 2(i.
Van Ecnssclam*, Solomon, SO. 125.
Van UcnsKela(‘r, Sfi'phen, 17, 71. 01, 110.
110. llOn, 158, 100a, 170, 171, 207, 511,
574, 575a, 570 ; course in election of John
Quincy Adams, 150, 151, 152; inlluenc<‘H
that made him vote .for Adams, 152.
\’an Kens.sehu‘r properly, 1!«.
Van S<*haack. Peter, 13, 15, 21, 27; bio
graphical skdch of, IS, 10. 20; (haith,
20; relations with Van Bunm, 16, IS, PJ ;
son, 15, 16.
Van Schaack Family, 13.
Van Vechttm, Al»raham, 21, 24, 71 m, 101.
Vanderpod, Aanm, .517, r)17M. 548.
Vaughan, Sir Charles K., 256, 261, 351,
157; knowle(Ig(v of .Tadcson, 450.
V(mahle, Abraham B., 110.
Venison, 450.
Vi'rplanek. (Julian C.. 544, 553.
V(‘rplauck, .Johnston, 110; letter, lOOn.
Vie<’‘ President, P. S., nhs<‘nts himself hy
eiistom at eoTnmen<*enienl of the H(‘HSion,
r>73, 674, 7.5t> *, as presiding ofhee'r of tlu^
S(mati‘, 673 ; <‘an<il<lates for. 5S1. 5S7.
588, 580 ; election hy House of Represent-
atives, 118; Van Bunm’s candidacy, 582,
583, 584, 587, 5SS, 580. 501 ; Van Bu-
rcn’s* Orst appearan<M'> in Kcnnt4‘ as, 671,
072.
V!(‘nnn, CongresB, 467.
Virginia, 424, 425, 431 ; OfUistltuHonal C'on
ventlon, 443; legislature, 733; produca^
of Presidents, 121 ; nwdution denying
power of ('ongress to (‘stahllsh a hank,
733 ; r(‘soluti(mH, 319 ; uk<‘<1 as stalking
horse hy nulllth'rs, 418, 414.
Votes, SVe Sutfrage.
W,
Wager, (Judge), 30, .31.
Wnggaman, 0<’orge A., 566, 566«.
Walsh, Robert, 190, 199«, 41 «, 41 0».
War, 8ecr<*tary of, appointed, 300; .Jack-
son’s wish for Baton’s return ns, 705 ;
Washington, Bnsl\r<al, 6,3, 177,
appointnumt to Supreme ('onrl
Washington, iSt'orgi*. 12.”., 177,
4.3.3, i;:i, i:;5, i:;7, tTi. is.*,,
605; (loath, 170, ISO; Impi
Henry, ■14;;, 444 ; Jackson’s vot
410; J(*tT(‘rs<‘n’s oplnltui
ISO; letter, 43;;; bdttu* to. 4.’
nanot‘ to slav»‘ry, 1*33; wlslios
and Buslirod Wa.slilngton to ru
gross, 17S; Van Buren’s opinio
Washlngt<m, H. C., hnrned l»y B
54. 5S.
Wash!ngt<m Journal (3'he), .351
Mrs. Jackson, 260.
IVashington R(‘publlenn Criie), H
AVaym‘, Janu's Moor«‘, 415,
W<4>ster, Ihiulel, 21. 1.5 1. 17.5.
226a. 2516 3o<». .3(14, 3tH, 30o.
4»H, 520. 525. 520, 532. 536,
631, 635, 652, 66.3, 66 :Im, 676,
602, 700, 702. 7(»4. 705. 706.
710, 734, 740, 741, 76 i. 767.
replhsi to l>y Clay, .556, 5.57 ;
Hayne, 6S0 ; reply to Wrlglit,
seat is .fai'kHon’.s eabhud, '
sptM'ch in dofons(‘ of Bunk,
spe(‘eh on P'oreo Bill, 68 1 ;
Preach Spoliations, 271; r.ptMH
Bank voto, 623, 624, 62 la ;
t(nvard Van B\iren, 535. 5:16
with Jaoksou, 707, 700, 711 : a
toward Van Burt-n, 524, 525,
776, 777 ; ntta«‘ked Ity Poimlr
6S5. 6H5 m. 75H: Bank’s p«.w.T >
bin to r<‘eh;irl«u* Bank, 7;53 ;
700, TOOm ; ** Bob and Sinker
40H, 400, 500; iiriher.v dinrg
7(M, 766. 777. 77S, 770, 7S(b
cnpBali'/.es pn‘ju(li<'t‘ ag.ninst 1
gain PrcHldency, 41iK, 400. 5{
man of Financ<‘ Committor »
716; eluinco of ProHldene.v, 71
of fJoUtleH inf(‘nded, 672; eljan;
tloii on Hlnv«‘r.y, 500; elmra
526. 535, 536, 5<ll. 776;
Hpts'ch, 600, 6tl1 ; (’lay’s op!nl(»
claim of aid to Jaeks^m annly/
Buren, 700; clnhiiH credit, by
f<u* Nullltlent ion prodamatitm
680, 6S0 ; eomnuuulK XuUilicati
mntion, 6S0, 6SS, 604, 707: <
Bank’s behalf, 723, 733. 76.3.
ITSTDEX.
>turs!iiflol<l Hix'orh, 500 ; oxrlnchMl
(U OMMiorsIiip ill Soiuitfs 710; Kaiuniil
n nuM'tln::, (iso, (isO, 005; f<>ar of
y, OSi!. 7'JS, 754; llnancial (U^alln^'js
li r.niik, 77S. 770, 7S0, 7S1, 7S2 ; lioix^
ulvlaiu pL'Ua' hi Jackson’s ouOlnot, (>72 ;
Oilil.v to (’lay, 070, OSO, (is-l ; inllu-
•i'il by ('urtls, 5;i(i, 557; lutUn'iua's
a Ucn :s<'im‘r, 152; Inlondial aJllanc(‘
ih Jarksioi. (iss, <iS‘k (iOO, (iOl, 007,
•%, flOO, 7(Hi, 7ot ; kno\vl<'(l}'(» of Inltnidcal
hllcatioii of M<-K«‘n'/l<‘’s hook, 550 ; lack
inOuonfo in Sminto, 710; {(nulorshlp in
ink r.-impalan. (Oil, (ki’J, (i<i5, (>(>4 ; 1('1>
V lo. 52S ; iiiviUKHton’s roixnO <o, 705,
Hi ; nmnnoni'or when Jackson vlslicd^
‘W I’.nidnnd, (iSO, 000, (iOl, 002, <i05,
>2, 7o5 ; Marshlichl sp<*<'oh, 40S, 400,
> 0 ; noininatiou vot<', 5<)0 ; NnllHlcutiou
•oclaitia ( hill an aid (o, OSO ; opposlllon
I (’lay’* Itill for paciltcatnni of South
iU'ol!uu, (570, (iSO, (kSl. ($82. ($85, ($84,
•$5, ii'JO : pniih* ctTorts, 741; part In
iM.atc Intrhpjc naainst N'aii h.un'ti, 072;
fissoiu f'»r ojlii’ial <il:d jnc( ion, 25s ; per-
aial aiiprchcnslons, (JSO, ($82, ($85; ]>(*r-
null relations with (May, 7.54, 755, 75($ ;
’hikutclphta nua-lmnlcH distress nnnno
lal. 727 ; rittshnn^ spc«‘ch. ($01. (i02, (i05.
Oh ($05. 00($, ($07, ($08, 700, 705; jxdlt!
a! nianoeuv«'rs, ($88, ($05. 00 1 ; political
clntlons with (’lay, (581, ($82, ($85, 080,
;8T. ($88. (iK'O, ($04, ($0(;, 008, ($t>0, TOO.
'05. TOO.’ 715; p«»Utl<'ul staisc. ($82, ($04,
$08; pM ithm on South ('ni’oliiia’s .sul>-
iiia ioji, 557; prcparc<I article on tlu'
(Vest Iialla traiic, 525; iMS'Sldciithil as-
dration .. <$‘$5, ($88; nuontloniMl h.y th(‘
778, 770; rcckh-ssncss in thmriclal
fuaftci’fi, 0.i$l ; rofrainM from hoslllity
townnl Van huiani, ($75; rclall<»ns with
t'In>. 0«$p. 0($2, 00.5, ($70; radalions with
hivlm'.'jMji, 715; remarks on postponing
Senate conuaittec a i»|n»lnl inents, ($7t$ ; on
reiaovnl of doposltH, 7o5 ; Hpeccli aj.-jalnst
Vori. mcinorial, 7($($ : Hpecche*!, 408, 400,
5P5. (;T($. 080. ($00, 001, ($02, ($05. ($04.
($05, ($00, 007, ($08. 7o<», 705 ; en larllf,
OOs : flnvarted hy Van iinren. ($72; nn-
jiatrlotic riiHMO'h on I’'rench SpollntionH,
271 ; Van iinron’s mectlio-: with. TaiT ;
\ an l$itrciik< «*plnlou of, 501, 7h( ; v’islt to
Ohldlc, 77t» ; \voH(orn totir, ($0(), ($t)l, ($05,
807
Wtsst, oxt'itomoni: caused in by Poindexter’s
<'hari 4 :(‘s of land frauds, 745, 746.
We.st Indies, Brit ish trad(' re; 4 ulations, 521 :
trade ii<‘j;otintions. 251, 250, 272, 274,
511, 522, 52*1, 525, 520, 550; Jackson’s
eours'* in, 527, 528 ; IMcLane’s in.strnc-
tions, 595 ; Van Buren’s Instructions,
520, 521, 525, 524, 520, 529, 550, 551w ;
II. S. is'sumption of trade, 522, 522»,
527.
W(‘stinori‘!and, Earl of, 450.
Wlialloii, , Van Biinui’s letter to, 25.
Wharton's l>i/^est of International I^aw,
($0k-.
Wlnaiton, Ihuiry, 145.
Whijj; Thirty, 755 ; attitude toward niillifica-
tlon, 555; convenllou (1852) votes, 500.
500n ; use of Niillldcation Proelainatlon
to att(‘inpt a s(‘paration of Van Buivii
and Jackson, 549.
Whlirs, 124, 125; attcuupt to make p(>litl(*<h
<-upItaI out of NulUn<*atl(m Proclamation,
54($ ; “ ! n|j;hmin(l(*d FedcraUsts ” boconuN
108.
Whit«‘, lIUiLjh Ihiwsou, 220n. .*$82, 582w, 505,
($74, ($74 a, ($75, ($77 ; coalition with Cal-
houn, 225n ; dc'serts Jackson, 22(>n ; e.s:"
cus<‘(l from voliiijj;' on connnittH'e appoint
lucnt, r(‘solution, ($75; nomination for
Presld(‘nt, 22()n. ; IhsHshhuitial nominee,
($74; relations wdth Jackson, ($74; spis'ch
apilnsi; tln^ Baidc, 7.54.
Wlilti'- nous(‘, Fn'iich furniture, 769;
•spoons, 709, 770.
Wickham, John, 259, 259n.
Wilkin, Jiilui W.. 4 5.
Wilkin Martin S., 97, 98.
Wilkins, William, 544a, 591, 507, 677, 765,
7($5, 7(.6, 7($7 ; (h^slrc- for vice presl(l<‘ncy>
584, 589, 590; failurt' to withdraw in
favor of Van Buiam, 5‘.)0 ; sufiporls
Ja{’ks<nii, 725.
Williams, David It., 5($S ; h‘tt(a*, 518; hitter
t<.. 517.
Williams, Ellslia, 15, 21, 24. 25, 26, 27, 50,
02. 92, 104, 401 ; legal skill, 21, 22.
Williams, Nathan, 82.
Wilson, Henry, 514. 514rr.
Wirt, William, 201. 292, 295, 505, 455, 456,
457, 4:$H, 441 ; l(d:t(T to, 441n.
Wood. , 171.
Woinlhury, L(‘vl, 201 a, 255, 250, 258, 259.
808
IHDEX,
Wright, Silas, jr., 161, 163, 172, 503, 598,
614, 677, 741, 743, 761, 765 ; asked to
present administration’s side of Bank
controversy, 730 ; character, 728 ; faith
in the people, 625 ; letter to, 563, 564 ;
relations with Van Buren, 728 ; speech
against the Bank, 733 ; speech in support
of the administration, 730 ; support of
Jackson, 723, 729, 730 ; Webster’s reply
to, 730, 733.
Wythe, George, 186.
Y.
Yates, Henry, jr., 39«.
Yates, John Van Ness, 148.
Yates, Joseph C., 64, 75, 80, 89»t, 102, 112, .
113, 114, 145, 147, 147n, 148; message
as governor, 146, 14
mode of appointing eh
147 ; relations with Vai
115, 146 ; retirement,
113.
Yazoo frauds, 429.
York County, Pa., attack
course, 763, 777 ; charg<
ster by Bank, 77S ; Den
763, 764, 766; 768, 769,
in memorial from, 76!
770, 771, 772, 773,
memorial sent to Van
supports the President,
Young, Samuel R,, 57, 58,
100, lOOn, 104w, 115, 1
O
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